When it comes to baby names, parents are often looking for inspiration from all sorts of sources, including pop culture. From popular movies to hit TV shows, celebrities, and musicians, it’s no surprise that these influences are reflected in the baby names that parents choose for their children. By far, the most influential programming to affect baby names was the TV series Yellowstone. We’ll walk you through names from the show as well as other big contenders.
New data reveals that pop culture-influenced baby names were huge in 2022, with parents taking inspiration from their favorite celebrities, fictional characters, and more. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at this trend and explore some of the most popular pop culture-influenced baby names of the year.
Yellowstone-Inspired Names
The TV Western drama Yellowstone inspired more baby names than any other show or pop culture touchstone. The series launched the name Dutton into the top 1000 most popular names, along with a few others.
- Dutton
- Kayce
- Alina
- Casey
More Baby Names Inspired by Yellowstone
- Grady
- Noemi
- Tate
- Walker
Harry Potter Names Reflect the Generation
The generation that grew up reading Harry Potter as children has aged into child-bearing age, and names from the book and film series are more popular than ever before. For instance, the name Hermione rose over 60% between 2021 and 2022! Take a look at all the names featured in the franchise that were on the rise in 2022.
- Alastor
- Albus
- Andromeda
- Aurora
More Harry Potter Baby Names
- Cedric
- Delores
- Fenrir
- Ginny
Even More Harry Potter-Inspired Names
- Harry
- Helena
- Hermoine
- Hugo
Further Harry Potter Names
- Lavender
- Lucius
- Luna
- Percy
Final Harry Potter Names
- Remus
- Rita
- Sirius
- Wilhelmina
Encanto-Inspired Baby Names
It’s no secret that Disney names are popular among new parents. But 2021’s Encanto really launched some excellent options into favor. According to Nameberry, every single name featured in the animated movie became more popular between 2021 and 2022. The movie’s main character’s name, Mirabel, grew by over 350%, and variations, Mirabelle, Mirabella, and Mirabell, increased in use as well. Isn’t that stunning?
- Agustin
- Alma
- Arturo
- Bruno
More Names Inspired by Encanto
- Camilo
- Dolores
- Isabela
- Julieta
Even More Encanto Names on the Rise
- Luisa
- Mariano
- Mirabel
- Ozma
Soccer-Inspired Baby Names
2022 was a World Cup year, and new parents took note. Internationally treasured athletes inspired so many baby names. For example, French player Kylian Mbappé‘s name rose over 250 spots.
- Alisson
- Bernardo
- Ciro
- Cristiano
More Names Inspired by Footballers
- Delphine
- Eden
- Edinson
- Erling
Yet Even More Soccer-Inspired Names
- Iker
- Karim
- Keylor
- Kylian
- Lionel
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Soccer Also Influenced These Names
- Magdalena
- Nahomi
- Sadio
- Saori
- Vincius
Baby Names Inspired by The Witcher
The Netflix series based on a video game of the same name, The Witcher, proved a hit for the streamer. The show’s popularity is reflected in names that parents chose in 2022. The names are based on historical appellations that have been around for centuries. This makes them sound both timeless and fresh because many had fallen from use. Just take a look at the name Cirilla. According to Nameberry, it rose 205%!
- Cahir
- Cirilla
- Coen
- Francesca
More The Witcher Names
- Geralt
- Lambert
- Tissaia
- Yennefer
Parents Named Their Children the Viking Way
With the popularity of the History Channel’s Vikings and Vikings: Valhalla, parents saw an opportunity to choose real-life Viking baby names. Take a look at the names the property influenced.
- Astrid
- Bjorn
- Erik
- Harold
- Ivar
More Names Inspired by Vikings
- Leif
- Oleg
- Ragnar
- Sigurd
- Torvi
Names from Star Wars Had the Force Behind Them
Leia has long been a popular appellation from Star Wars, and it and others were on the rise in 2022.
- Anakin
- Jedi
- Jyn
- Kenobi
More Star Wars Baby Names That Grew in 2022
- Kylo
- Lando
- Leia
- Solo
Music and Musicians Influence Baby Names Each Year; Here Are 2022’s Biggest Movers and Shakers
Music has always played a role in choosing baby names. Classics like Aria, Harper, and Piper have been popular for decades. Take a look at the fresh music names that climbed the charts in 2022.
- Azaire
- Azari
- Dua
- Este
More Music-Inspired Names
- Jelani
- Jhayco
- Jireh
- Khaza
Even More Baby Names Inspired by Music
- Neriah
- Sia
- Snoh
Fashion, Luxury Brands, and Designers Heavily Influenced Baby Names
In 2021, designer and fashion names were one of the biggest trends. It continued through 2022, launching many appellations into the mainstream as baby names. Here are the biggest climbers.
- Amiri
- Armani
- Cartier
More Designer Baby Names on the Rise
- Celine
- Dior
- Fendi
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Final Designer and Fashion Names
- Halston
- Kartier
- Kenzo
- Valentino
In conclusion, pop culture has undoubtedly had a significant impact on baby naming trends in 2022. From classic movies and TV shows to celebrity culture and social media influencers, parents continue to take inspiration from pop culture when naming their children. While some of these names may seem trendy or even bold, they reflect the unique interests and personalities of each parent and child.
With so many different pop culture references to draw from, we can expect to see a diverse range of names continuing to rise in popularity in the years to come. Regardless of where inspiration comes from, the act of naming a child is a special and significant moment that will always hold meaning for both parents and their little ones.