Choosing a baby name is no easy task - it's something expectant parents can dwell on for months, often looking for something memorable, unique or traditional. Of course, much like trends, baby names come and go, influenced by the world and the people around us at that particular moment.
So, what are set to be the most popular baby names of 2023? According to research by British name label manufacturer mynametags.com, this year baby names are set to be inspired by sport stars (thanks to the recent World Cup and UEFA Women’s Euro) and by some of our favourite TV shows.
The World Cup is already influencing baby boy names
Although England’s World Cup dreams may have been cut short, it seems the squad has played a major part in influencing the minds of expectant parents when it comes to baby names. According to the research, the name ‘Jude’, after young England ace Jude Bellingham, saw a huge spike in Google searches during the opening days of the tournament, and is predicted to rise to become one of the most popular baby names of 2023.
The name ‘Jack’, inspired by Jude’s international teammate and Manchester City star, Jack Grealish, is also set to spike in popularity after Jack stole the nation’s hearts with his goal celebration for Finlay, a young fan with cerebral palsy.
Analysis of historic Office for National Statistics (ONS) baby name data shows that England footballers have long been influencing baby boy name choices in the UK, with both David Beckham and Peter Crouch had a significant impact on children’s names in the UK following the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Peaky Blinders has led to a revival of these baby boys' names
Also influenced by TV shows, the names ‘Arthur’ and ‘Tommy’ – after the iconic Peaky Blinders characters – have been consistently popular since the release of the first series in 2013. Following the airing of its final episode in 2022, the names are predicted to remain popular for 2023. The name Arthur took third spot in the charts in 2020 after the release of series five.
The UEFA Women’s Euro has given these baby girl names a boost in popularity
It's not just boys’ names that England’s national team is influencing. Following the Lionesses’ success at the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro, female football heroes are predicted to have an equally significant impact on girls’ name trends in 2023, with ‘Beth’, ‘Ella’, and ‘Alessia’ are all expected to grow in popularity in 2023 and beyond, with searches around the origin of the name Alessia spiking the day Alessia Russo scored an audacious backheel goal against Sweden.
Netflix and new music is influencing baby girl name choices too
It's not just sports star-inspired baby names peaking this year. The research also revealed that Netflix has become a significant influence factor. The show Wednesday, which became the second-most watched English language show ever, led to a considerable spike in the number of Google searches for the girls’ name ‘Wednesday’.
Other top baby names for 2023 are predicted to be inspired by musicians. According to the research, the name ‘Billie’ has risen considerably in popularity, from rank 346th in 2018, to 229th in 2021, after singer Billie Eilish shot to fame. The name is predicted to grow in popularity in 2023 following the release on Eilish’s second album, Happier Than Ever.
Lars B Andersen, Managing Director at My Nametags, comments: “We know from experience that baby name trends are often influenced by pop-culture, including TV, film, and celebrities. Sporting personalities make excellent role models, so it’s no surprise that parents continue to be inspired by their generation’s biggest heroes when it comes to naming their children.
“2022 was a huge year for football fans, we can definitely expect the men’s World Cup and Women’s Euros teams to have a significant impact on the name charts over the next year, especially with the Women’s World Cup taking place this summer. Popular TV shows and artists continue to have a major influence over the popularity of certain names as they give inspiration but also confidence to parents, especially with unusual names like Wednesday.”
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