These Will Be the Hottest Baby Names of 2025

Here at Babylist, we love all things baby and celebrating your growing families. To continue the excitement, we created Babylist Babes, where thousands of actual Babylist parents submit their baby’s birthdate and name. And each week, we share them in our newsletter series. We combed through thousands of baby names on our list to see which names are currently topping the chart and which we predict will be popular in 2025.

While some trends are here to stay (looking at you, nature-inspired names), there are some new categories of names we’re noticing after poring through thousands of names actual Babylist parents have submitted over the last year or so (think names that aren’t “new,” but are generally less common). We based our list of predictions below on observing the most popular names over the last couple of years and watching which ones remain popular, which unique names are gaining steam, and which names are losing popularity.

I also spoke with two baby name consultants: Colleen Slagen of Naming Bebe on TikTok and Jessie Paquette, aka Dream Baby Names. They’ve both helped many expecting parents find the perfect name (or sibling name) for their newest addition, so I was excited to talk with them about all things naming trends, shifts and what the most popular names will be. 

We’re seeing a lot of solid, recognizable names that don’t typically top the most popular lists. “I do think the name of the game is variety and diversity and uncommon names,” Slagen says. 

The demographic of new parents is shifting from the Millennial generation to Gen Z. With that comes some notable differences in naming trends. From vintage revivals and unique twists on traditional names, parents are getting more creative than ever while not totally pushing the envelope. 

Slagen says that translates to baby names: “I think people are just becoming more and more emboldened to lean into that and sort of leave the people-pleasing or traditional family names behind.” 

Whether you’re searching for something classic or fresh (or just curious if your baby name lands on the list), we’re giving you a glimpse into the baby names we think will make waves in 2025 based on what we’re seeing on our Babylist babes name chart and after incorporating insight from Slagen and Paquette. 

Vintage Revival Names

Old-fashioned names have reached a new level. Parents have long gravitated toward traditional names like James, Henry, William and Charlotte—so much so that they’ve consistently ranked in the Social Security Administration’s top 10 and at the top of the Babylist Babes chart. “My personal favorite is the vintage names. I love that they're making a comeback,” says Slagen. 

We see this reflected in our own data, too. “I think Gen Z likes the understated cool, and I think that's why vintage [names are] going to continue to take off,” says Paquette. Parents are digging deep to find vintage-esque names that give sweet grandma and grandpa vibes but are less ubiquitous as the more traditional old-fashioned names. Vintage names like Vernon and Dorothy may seem old-fashioned for a 2-month-old, but they’re names baby will grow into. And we’re seeing those two, plus a bunch more, that Babylist parents are naming their babies that give the same vibes.  

• Arthur

• Birdie

• Celeste

• Daphne

• Dorothy

• Edmund

• Eleanor 

• Eloise

• Felicity

• Florence

• Gideon

• Johanna

• Leona

• Louie

• Lorelai

• Otis

• Vernon

Culturally Rooted Names

Another trend we think more parents will embrace in the new year is choosing names deeply rooted in and honoring their culture. “I think we have this new generation that wants to reclaim their heritage, [they] really want to take that back, and they're looking for ways that they can honor [it],” Paquette says. We’re noticing a broader trend in Babylist Babes in names that celebrate diversity. The following are names we spotted on our list, and they have a wide range of origins. We’ll be keeping an eye on this trend in the new year.

• Calliope

• Ellisandra

• Lucia

• Luciano

• Mateo

• Paola

• Paloma

• Quetzalli

• Raphael/Rafael

• Santiago

• Saoirse

• Solíelle 

• Viviana 

• Ximena

• Zaida

Earthy Yet Edgy Names

One of the most persistent baby name trends over the last decade or two has been names inspired by nature. Whether it’s flora and fauna, bodies of water or various landscape characteristics, Babylist parents love a nature-inspired name. Slagen has noticed that it’s different for specific regions, citing that she’s hearing names like Juniper and Sage in the Pacific Northwest. Both of these names are trending on the Babylist Babes list.

But what’s new is parents getting a little edgier with their picks. “I call it earth glam,” says Paquette.

While Bear, Sage and Hazel have been popular names in this category on the Babylist Babes list (and don’t seem to be losing momentum any time soon), we’re also seeing some new additions, including Cedar, Stone, Soleil, Opal and Kataleia, rising in popularity.

“I've been seeing Soleil so much,” Paquette says, “especially for middle names. [Which is usually] what people do when they like a name but they're not quite feeling ready to use it [as a first name].” They’re recognizable yet unique and also have the potential for special meaning, making them the perfect “safe” alternative for parents who want something unique but not too “out there.” Here are the earthy names we’re seeing on our list. 

• Bear

• Bodhi

• Cedar

• Coast

• Cove

• Echo

• Hazel

• Juniper

• Jupiter

• Kataleia (with alternate spellings like Kataleya and Cataleya)

• Opal

• Orion

• Sage

• Soleil

• Stone

• Zephyr

• Zion

Short Names

Concise names (think four letters or fewer) are sleek, modern, easy to pronounce and versatile across cultures and languages. They were trending on the Babylist Babes chart in 2024, and we think 2025’s names will bring the same energy. Whether paired with longer middle names or standing firm on their own, these short names are perfect for parents looking for a fresh, minimalist vibe that still packs plenty of personality. 

“Short, edgy names [can] exist on their own. They don't need a formal name, they don't have a nickname,” says Slagen. While the trend applies to both girl and boy names, Slagen says she notices it more so with boy names: “Van, Mac, Ozzy, Fitz and then even nicknames like Cal and Gus and Ted. People are loving those.” We see this reflected in our Babylist Babes data, too—Mac, Kit and Asa are a few short names we’re seeing more of on our list, as well as the following.

• Alli

• Asa 

• Lola

• Mac/Mack

• Hugo 

• Ozzy

• Ela

• Eila 

• Rae

• Kit

• Kira

• Van 

• Veda

Last Names as First Names

Choosing a surname as baby’s first name combines a sense of tradition with a modern flair. There are quite a few rising names that you might initially recognize as last names. “They’re fitting picks for parents looking to give their little ones a unique identity that’s also familiar,” says Slagen. 

Names like Crosby, Palmer, Walton and Hudson are emerging as bold, timeless choices on the Babylist Babes list. This trend blends formality and creativity and is a great way to honor family lineage. It can also be a nice way for birth parents to pass their maiden names to their babies (like a couple of the moms on our Babylist team have done). Paquette says she thinks Collins and Miller, in particular, will soar in popularity next year. Here are some newcomers to this category we think will also continue gaining traction on the Babylist Babes name chart.

• Collins

• Crosby

• Hudson

• Palmer

• Miller

• Warren

• Walton

‘New’ Gender-Neutral Names for Girls

The type of names that Slagen calls “my BFF’s dad’s name” are, according to her, “not totally out there [but] they’re unexpected, yet cutesy,” she says. After scouring our list, we noticed parents are gravitating toward naming girls common yet classic names we typically see as nicknames for boys. 

“I think Drew is the new Scottie,” says Paquette. “I think it rose so fast that people are looking for the new ‘it girl’ name….and I think it's Drew.” Here are a few newer names popping up on the Babylist Babes list that we think will follow James and Noah (the gender-neutral names that have been ruling this category) straight to the top. 

• Benny

• Billie

• Drew

• Mattie

• Scottie

• Wesley 

Western Vibes

Did Queen Bey’s Cowboy Carter album have anything to do with this trend? Because we’ve been seeing quite a few names on the Babylist Babes list that are giving major Western vibes. They tend to be a combination of nature-inspired names with a Wild West twist. “Hilary Duff just used Townes [and it] kind of has that Cowboy Carter energy.” And we think there will be a lot more of these Western-inspired names on our list next year. 

• Cade

• Crue

• Holden

• Nash 

• Townes

• Wilder

We’ll be keeping an eye on all of these names (and more) and will update this list with the biggest names of 2025 sometime in the new year—so stay tuned!

How Do I Add My Baby’s Name to Babylist Babes?

Not sure how to add your baby’s name to the list? Once they’re born, open any Babylist weekly pregnancy or parenting email and click “enter your baby’s arrival date” at the top. You can also submit it here! (Note: you’ll need to be logged into your Babylist account)