The Biggest Baby Name Trends of 2025 So Far

As 2024 came to an end, we analyzed our Babylist Babes name list (where real Babylist parents share their baby’s birthdate and name with us) to predict the top baby names of the new year, and now that we’re fully in 2025, it’s time to check in on the baby name trends taking shape so far. As we looked at where names were headed, we noticed some fresh name trends cropping up in our Babylist Babes list, including those that honor cultural roots, a new genre of gender neutral names for girls, names that exude modern earthy vibes and cute nicknames as first names. 

It turns out, parents are still leaning into these trends, but with a twist. They’re essentially moving beyond the first names that come to mind and digging a bit deeper to find options that are unique and not too common. 

I also spoke to Colleen Slagen, a baby name consultant and founder of Naming Bebe, who regularly keeps up with what’s trending in the baby name space to chat about the trends we’re seeing on Babylist Babes this year.

Let’s take a peek into the most popular names of 2025 so far and the trends that we think will continue to dominate Babylist Babes this year.

Top Baby Names of 2025 So Far

When we zoom out and look at the most popular names on the Babylist Babes list this year, the top 20 names on the list are those that tend to consistently hang out at the top. They’re a mix of traditional and modern classics that never seem to go out of style. In fact, a majority have hovered at the top of the social security administration’s baby names chart for the last ten years or so.

1. Noah

2. Oliver

3. Amelia

4. Henry

5. Liam

6. Charlie

7. Jackson

8. Lucas

9. Nora

10. James

11. Sophia 

12. Benjamin

13. Eleanor

14. Emma

15. Mason

16. Cooper

17. Leo

18. Logan

19. Riley

20. Charlotte

How Names Have Shifted from 2024 to 2025 

Though the names in the top 20 typically have less turnover, there are a few notable changes in the ranks. Noah jumped to the number one spot—overtaking Oliver—compared to when we checked in this time last year. Emma moved from eighth place to 14th place and Nora climbed from 17th to ninth place. There are also some newcomers to the top 20—like Cooper (jumped from the 42nd spot to 17th), Mason (rose a whopping 21 spots, from 36 to 15) and Riley (jumped from the 39th spot to 19th). There were a few that fell out of the top 20, including Ava, Kai, Theodore and Isla.  

As a whole, we’re seeing more unexpected gender-neutral names for girls, and nature-inspired names are still popular, though the top names within this genre have shifted away from more traditional picks like Luna and Hazel (which have been replaced by more bold picks—like Stone, Cedar and Cove). Vintage names continue to be a go-to for parents, offering charm and a sense of familiarity and they’re getting more grandma and grandpa vibes than before.

Baby Naming Trends of 2025 So Far

Here are the baby name trends (along with actual picks from Babylist Babes) of the year so far. And trust us—you’ll want to get your notes app ready because it’s full of inspiration if you’re looking for the perfect name for your own Babylist babe.

Timeless Picks That Aren’t Overdone

Parents still love a good classic—but in 2025, they’re putting their own spin on tradition. Instead of the usual go-tos, they’re finding names that feel timeless, but not overused. Slagen says these are names that feel timeless but those “that millennials didn’t hear much growing up.”  A few Babylist Babes names that fit this vibe include:

• Daphne

• Margot

• August

• Jude

Vintage Comebacks

Vintage names are dominating the chart in 2025. “Vintage comebacks [are] a huge trend right now, and I think we will start to see even more heavily vintage options that we are not used to hearing for babies,” says Slagen. Many traditional classics also tie into this category—like George and Charlotte—but what’s changing is that parents are searching a bit deeper in that timeframe to find old school names one might associate with “grandma and grandpa vibes”—which turn out to make adorable, strong names that’ll grow well with babies. Slagen thinks names like Ethel, Nat, Leonard, Wallace and Faye are a few that fall into this trend. Here are a few examples from Babylist Babes this year.

• Arthur

• Dorothy

• Eloise

• Evelyn

• Ezra

• Felix

• Hank

• Marigold

• Otis

• Rosalie

• Walter

• Vera

Soft + Airy Names 

Another trend we’re seeing this year is more names that have an airy, soft feel. These names tend to be vowel-forward or light on the tongue—offering a gentle, flowing feel that feels effortlessly modern. Slagen notes she’s seeing names like Wells, Nell, Cleo, Ines, Tess and Lyle increase in popularity. Here are a few we’ve spotted on Babylist Babes.

• Amira

• Beau

• Bowen

• Esme

• Koa

• Naomi

• Lana

• Leif

• Sloane

• Soren

• Wilder

Nicknames as Standalone First Names

Nicknames as first names have popped off over the last year or two—specifically those that are nicknames for traditionally masculine names. Think names like:

• Bennie

• Frankie

• Lottie

• Mattie

• Scottie

Last Names In First

Last names as first names are still trending and don’t seem to be losing steam. “This feels like one of the most steadfast trends to me,” says Slagen. Surnames are perfect for parents who are looking for a name that’s not common but also not necessarily super unique. Slagen notes she expects we’ll continue to see surnames dominate, but new picks like Pryor, Levitt, Malone, Fallon, Mercer, Vaughn and Pierson will make their way into the options. Here are a few new names that we noticed on Babylist Babes:

• Beck

• Calloway

• Crosby

• Jensen

• Lawson

• McClain

• Thatcher

• Walden

• Walker

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

Do you want to see your own baby’s name on 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! Just be sure you’re signed into your Babylist account.