Looking for a Baby Name?
McCrindle’s latest baby name report may help!
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Choosing your child’s name is one of the first, big decisions you’ll make as a parent, and it’s also a deeply personal choice.
You might be looking for a name that’s popular amongst many, or unknown to most, and either way, it’s good to know which baby names are big right now, so you can love them or leave them, depending on your preference!
To help, the data gurus at McCrindle release an annual baby names report which identifies Australian trends, based on all the names given to newborns in the preceding year.
Their 2023 Report has just been released, and if you’re in the market for a baby name (i.e. pregnant!), it’s definitely worth a read.
McCrindle’s report is full of baby name insights – and inspiration – and here are some takeaways that are interesting to know if you’re in the naming game!
For starters, they’ve found that some names remain in favour, year on year on year on year.
Oliver is officially the most popular boys’ name for the 10th year in a row, so if you’re looking for a moniker that won’t date overnight, it’s a pretty safe bet.
Noah, Leo, William, Henry, Jack and Charlie also continue to be firm family favourites in the boys’ Top 10.
For girls, Charlotte is the most popular name, and like Olivia and Mia, it’s been in the Top 10 every year since 2010.
Amelia, Isla, Ava, Matilda, Ella, Grace and Willow also have enduring appeal for parents of little girls.
That said, there are plenty of newly popular names you might love.
Remy, Roman, Alfie, Reuben, Koa, Louie and Tommy are all new to McCrindle’s Top 100 list for boys; and Eliana, Thea, Margot, Maisie and Gracie have made their debut in the Top 100 for girls.
Gender-neutral names are also gaining interest with Australian parents.
These names makes things easy if you’re not sure what you’re having (or just love unisex names), and there are plenty of popular choices.
Charlie, Riley, Jordan, Jesse, Casey, Morgan, Jamie and Taylor work for girls and boys, and there’s also the option of choosing a ‘same-but-different’ name, depending on your baby’s gender.
For instance, plenty of parents like Billy for a boy and Billie for a girl, and those keen on Harriet, could be just as happy with Harry!
Speaking of Harry, pop culture continues to influence baby naming.
McCrindle is seeing a lot of parents naming their children after famous people and characters.
Top 100 monikers like Ariana and Leo will put your bub on first-name-basis with Ariana Grande and Leo DiCaprio.
And if you’re looking for a right royal name, then you’re not alone!
Archie, Charlotte and Harry are all popular; and character names like Luna (Lovegood) and Aurora (the Disney princess) have proven to be a hit with parents.
Nature also continues to weave its magic amongst new mums and dads.
Botanical names, like Ivy, Daisy, Poppy, Rosie and Eden are all popular, with Violet and Olive rising quickly through the ranks as well; and if you’d like your baby to stand out a little, then consider Hollie – spelt the modern (non-Christmassy) way.
Vintage names are also making a comeback for boys and girls, and this doesn’t mean you have to call your son Bertram or your daughter Constance!
For boys, Vincent, Lennox and Connor are three old skool options that are increasingly popular; and for girls, Nora and Adeline might speak to you, if Florence doesn’t!
And speaking of sound, McCrindle’s latest baby name report tells us that short names are popular for boys, and ‘ie’ or ‘y’ names are big for girls.
The bulk of boys’ names in the Top 100 have one or two syllables, so you might be interested in Leon, Hamish, Theo or Darcy (which have all become noticeably more popular).
Though, of course, there’s a place for longer monikers as well.
Theodore is the seventh most popular boys’ name (hello Sam Frost), and Alexander, Sebestian, Benjamin and Muhammad are also in the Top 60.
If you’re expecting a girl, and an ‘ie’ ending appeals, then popular names like Ellie, Millie or Frankie could work.
Though, again, you can easily buck this trend by choosing a name that ends with a short ‘e’ instead.
Girls’ names like Maeve, Quinn and Rose are all in the Top 100.
Of course, different names speak to different people, and there’s no obligation to jump on a baby name trend, or go with something popular or classic.
You can name your newborn after a family member or friend, make up something from scratch, or see what sites like nameberry and babynames.com suggest.
And whatever first name you choose, just make sure you and your partner both love it, and can imagine using it now and forever – often at high volume!
