Choosing a name for your baby can be one of the most exciting – and challenging – decisions that new parents face. With so many options out there, how do you pick a name that will stand the test of time and reflect your child’s unique personality and qualities? To help answer this question, we turned to AI technology to predict the most popular names over the next decade. Using advanced algorithms and data analysis, our AI model crunched the numbers and came up with some truly surprising results. In this blog post, we’ll reveal the top names for boys and girls, as well as some fascinating insights into the trends and patterns that are shaping the world of baby naming today.
From classic names with a modern twist to bold and unconventional choices, the names on our list are sure to inspire and intrigue parents-to-be everywhere. Whether you’re expecting a baby of your own or simply curious about the latest trends in baby naming, you won’t want to miss this exciting report. So buckle up and get ready to discover the future of baby names – as predicted by AI!
Oliviana
Because Olivia is currently the most popular baby name for girls in the US, AI recognized that alternatives to it are bound to become popular. Oliviana, however, does seem like a stretch. Further, Google searches for the name have ticked up significantly over the past couple of years. Oliviana is an elaboration of Olivia, a name of Latin origin, meaning “olive tree.”
Willard
Willard? We don’t see this one happening. The name was once very popular in the US but fell out of popularity by the 1980s and has gone virtually unused ever since. Willard names a character in a 1971 film and a subsequent remake in 2003 who uses an army of rats to torment his enemies. Not so great! Willard is an English name from German, meaning “courageous.”
Ameliea
Over the years, we have seen some genuinely horrendous spellings of baby names. It’s become trendy for parents to choose a “colorful” spelling of a popular name to help it stand out, and we think that’s what AI is picking up on with Ameliea. Amelia is the fourth most popular name for girls today, and parents are likely looking for alternatives. But we don’t see Ameliea taking off. The root of this name comes from German and means “work.”
Nova
AI might have gotten it right with Nova. The name has been one of the fastest-rising choices for baby girls over the last decade. It currently sits in the top 50, making it a good contender for the most popular names of the coming decade. Nova comes from Latin and means “star.”
Orion
Orion is a name from Greek mythology that means “boundary.” The name has been climbing since the 1990s but at a glacial pace. It has been virtually stagnant for a few years now, so we don’t see this name magically taking off.
Zephyr
The popularity of gender-neutral baby names is one of the most significant sea changes of the last decade. Zephyr, a name of Greek origin that means “west wind,” has emerged as an offbeat yet beautiful option for any baby. However, this name has yet to land in the top 1000, making it unlikely to top any charts in the coming decade.
Lunastra
As with Oliviana, Lunastra likely got picked by AI because of the popularity of another name. Luna is a top-ten baby name today. Lunastra might look like a real name, but it seems to be made up by AI. So, don’t place any bets on this one becoming a thing.
Willow
AI is likely right about Willow. As we mentioned, gender-neutral names are huge right now, but so are nature-inspired names. Willow checks those two boxes. Starting in the 1990s, Willow shot up the popularity charts and is a top 50 name today. Willow absolutely could be the most popular name on the horizon.
River
Ai seems to understand that nature names and unisex ones are the preferences du jour. River is yet another one that has become highly favored, but this one has an equal split between boys and girls, whereas Willow tends to go to baby girls. River rests just outside the top 100 for both, steadily climbing.
Aurora
Aurora, a name of Latin origin that means “dawn,” has been one of the fastest-rising names for girls over the last two decades. It’s currently in the top 50 and will likely continue its climb, becoming a top name in the coming decade. AI nailed this one.
Jasper
Jasper has staged a comeback in recent years, but it is gaining traction slower than others on this list. We don’t think AI is right about this one. Jasper is a name of Persian origin that means “bringer of treasure,” a reference to the “Three Wise Men” of the nativity. It also names a stone.
Aria
How did AI do with the name Aria? We believe it got it right. Aria went from obscurity in 2000 to the top 25 this year. Those gains are no small potatoes. This name already feels like a timeless classic, and we don’t see it falling from fashion anytime soon. Aria is an appellation of Italian origin that means “air” or “melody.”
Mateo
Oh, yes, Mateo will be a top name in the coming decade. Mateo is the Latinate form of Matthew that comes from a Hebrew root, meaning “gift of God.” Over the last five years, Mateo has dominated the popularity charts and is now a top-ten name. Expect to keep hearing this one on playgrounds and in classrooms.
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Luna
As we mentioned with Lunastra, Luna is one of America’s most beloved names today. AI is right. This humble yet romantic appellation will continue its reign.
Kai
Hawaiian names have taken off on the mainland in recent years. One of the most popular among them is Kai. It means “sea.” It is also a unisex option, making it a favorite among new parents today. The appellation is almost in the top 50 and if trends hold, the name will continue to ride a wave of popularity to the very top.
Harper
AI is correct. Harper is a bonafide superstar of a name for baby girls today and will continue to be. Harper first landed in the top 1000 in 2004 after several celebrities chose the name for their newborns. This name has taken hold and will be a top pick for years to. come. Harper is a name of English origin, meaning “harp player.”
Quinn
Quinn is a solid unisex appellation that’s performing better for baby girls than boys. It’s in the top 100 for girls, but we need to see it improving its standing for boys, as it has fallen over the last decade. AI could be right about this one, but we’re not entirely convinced. Quinn is of Irish origin and means “descendent of Conn.”
Riley
Riley is a unisex English and Irish name that means “rye field.” The name is on fire for baby girls and performs pretty well for boys. AI is likely right about this one, especially for girls. The name is in the top 50 and shows no signs of slowing.
Charlie
For girls, Charlie has some wind in its sails, but it is slipping for boys. Unless something dramatic happens, AI is probably wrong. The name has never entered the top 100 for girls and it will likely remain that way if current trends hold.
Evelyn
Yes, AI is right again with Evelyn. While this name is gender-neutral, it has not been popular for boys since the 1930s! Most think it’s only meant for girls. The name has been in the top ten for five years, and it will likely stay there. Evelyn is a name that has roots in English, French, and German. It means “desired” or “island.”
Arthur
Arthur was a top 50 name for boys in the US until 1954. It is ascending once more, but it’s not happening quickly. While we love the name Arthur, we think AI is wrong. It might tap into the top 100 in the next decade, but we don’t expect it to go much higher. Arthur is of Celtic origin and means “bear.”
Beatrice
Not going to happen, AI. Beatrice is a beautiful name for girls but does not even rank in the top 500 today. It’s got a very long road to travel before it is popular again. Beatrice comes from a Latin root that means “she who brings happiness.”
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Theodore
Expect Theodore to be one of the most popular names of the decade. The appellation sits in the top ten today because parents love the nickname, Theo. Theodore has been popular in the US since records began in 1880. Theodore is not going anywhere! This name is derived from Greek and means “gift of God.”
Predicting the most popular baby names over the next decade is an exciting and challenging task, but our AI model rose to the challenge and delivered some truly fascinating results. Whether you’re looking for a classic name with timeless appeal or a trend-setting moniker that’s sure to stand out from the crowd, the names on our list offer something for everyone. Of course, no prediction is 100% accurate, and the world of baby naming is full of surprises and unexpected twists. But we hope that this report has given you some food for thought and helped you navigate the ever-changing landscape of baby names with a little more confidence and creativity.