Baby names inspired by celebrities, television shows and classic favourites are set to dominate playgrounds by 2030, according to new research from JoJo Maman Bébé. The experts analysed ten years of ONS birth data for England and Wales, calculating each name's average yearly growth rate to identify the fastest and most steadily climbing baby names for both boys and girls.
Celebrity and TV Influence on Name Trends
The research showed that baby names associated with big celebrities and television characters are amongst the fastest climbers. Dua is increasing by 22.8% annually, presumably boosted by the worldwide fame of singer Dua Lipa, while Daphne (+20.4%) has risen since Netflix's Bridgerton premiered. Otis (+15.7%), the name of the lead character in Sex Education, has also become a progressively popular selection.
Rise of International and Vintage Names
The figures also indicate that parents are venturing beyond conventional British choices. The French name Maeva has claimed the top spot on the girls' list with yearly growth of 69.1%, while Irish favourite Maeve follows closely at 47.5%. For boys, French name Remy (+15.9%) and Italian name Enzo (+14.3%) are similarly rising through the rankings.
Meanwhile, classic names remain extremely popular, with Mabel given to 1,527 baby girls in the most recent ONS figures and Winnie to 416. Boys' names Otto and Kit are also amongst the fastest climbers, showing that vintage favourites have made a definite comeback.
Fastest-Rising Baby Names for Girls and Boys
The fastest-rising baby names for girls are Maeva, Maeve, Raya, Dua, Ayra, Nova, Daphne, Mabel, Winnie and Ottilie. For boys, the list includes Oakley, Remy, Otis, Hudson, Axel, Luca, Enzo, River, Otto and Zion.
Anne Varsanyi, Head of Buying at JoJo Maman Bébé, commented: "Choosing a baby's name is one of the first opportunities parents have to express something about their family, whether that's honouring tradition, celebrating heritage or simply choosing a name they love." She added: "What's particularly fascinating about this year's data is seeing how quickly tastes can change. Some names that once filled classrooms have become increasingly rare, while others that were barely heard a generation ago are now among the country's favourites."
