2025 BABY NAME TRENDS INSPIRED BY NATURE, FANTASY, AND POSITIVITY
2025 will be the year of imaginative, meaningful, and trend-setting baby names, predicts leading pregnancy and parenting website BabyCentre.
Working with Baby Name Expert and celebrity baby name consultant, SJ Strum, BabyCentre forecasts that recent cultural influences, such as the Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year ‘Manifest,’ a growing connection to nature, and the enchanting aesthetic of Castlecore fantasy, will be the powerful prompts to shape baby naming in the year ahead.
The predictions follow the release of the Top 100 Baby Names of 2024, from BabyCentre UK
BabyCentre’s Top Three Baby Name Trends in 2025:
MANIFEST
The global trend of manifesting has resulted in The Cambridge Dictionary selecting ‘Manifest’ as its Word of the Year for 2024. Indeed, 'Manifest' was looked up almost 130,000 times on the Cambridge Dictionary website, making it one of the most-viewed words of 2024.
“This optimistic and empowered movement is inspiring lots of amazing names,” declares Strum. “I see this trend growing and in 2025, parents will be picking names that bring this spirit of positive thinking, plus hope, dreams and visions of a wonderful future together for their baby in their name choices.“
Manifest-inspired girl’s names currently in BabyCentre’s top 100 baby names.
MILA - Miracles
ARABELLE - Invokable
OTTILIE - Riches
EVELYN - Wished For
THEA - Divine Gift
OPHELIA - To help or aid
Manifest-inspired boy’s names currently in BabyCentre’s top 100 baby names. JUDE - Thankful
EZRA - Helper
RONNIE - Advise
FELIX - Lucky
BODHI - Enlightenment
“Whilst the girls’ name, Nova, previously favoured at number 94, has dropped out of this year’s charts, 2025 could see its return to favour, alongside other shining monikers, such as: Everest – symbolising ambitious heights and strength and Amara – meaning ‘grace’ or ‘unfading’.” continues Strum. “Parents will continue to look for names that carry an aspirational quality, which align with the values of self-belief and positivity.”
NATURE’S RENAISSANCE
The movement to reintegrate natural elements into our lives is on the rise. Outdoor kitchens, garden rooms and pagodas are fuelling the desire to ‘be outside’. This movement is expected to continue to be in-demand. Online, search terms like foraging and small homestead living are also increasing in frequency.
Strum predicts: “This nature renaissance isn't just about returning to our roots; it's about planting new ones for the future too. Our commitment to sustainability and celebration of the beauty in the natural world means that nature-inspired names are flourishing. Keep an eye on other earthy classics names such as Cedar, meaning, grounded and strong, with a nod to majestic forests, and Rivera – combining nature and sophistication.”
Nature-inspired girl’s names currently in BabyCentre’s top 100 baby names. MARGOT - meaning pearl
WILLOW - Willow Tree
DAISY - Flower
OLIVE - Olive Tree
Nature-inspired boy’s names currently in BabyCentre’s top 100 baby names. OAKLEY - Oak Tree Woods
ARLO - Hill
BRODY - Muddle Place
JASPER - Precious Stone
STANLEY - Stone Clearing
CASTLECORE
Pinterest predicts has highlighted the huge rise in Castlecore, marking the medieval movement in Britain as a major aesthetic. The report forecasts that Gen Z and Millennials will take home décor inspiration from ancient castles, while fashion and accessories will be gothic-inspired. It’s a comeback of the highest order, and there’s no doubt that this influence will also feature in baby naming trends too.
“Castlecore-inspired names transport us to a world of chivalry and fantasy, allowing parents to weave a sense of wonder into their children’s identities,” Strum explains.
Names that are recognised for their strength, with a dark and dramatic vibe are already moving up the name charts.
Castlecore-inspired girl’s names currently in the BabyCentre’s top 100 baby names. DELILAH - Delicate or Weaken
MAEVE – She who rules
ORLA - Golden Princess
LYLA – Night Beauty
CLARA - Clear and Bright
Castlecore-inspired boy’s currently names in the BabyCentre’s top 100 baby names. RORY – Red King
ALBIE - Noble/Bright
LOUIE - Famed Warrior
MYLES - Soldier
CHESTER - Fortress
RUPERT - Fame and Glory
Strum continues: “The romantic aesthetic of Castlecore, with its medieval-inspired charm and fairy-tale allure, is set to influence a wave of regal and whimsical baby names in the near-future. Other instinctive names yet to hit the top 100 include Eowyn (bravery and heroism) and Percival – Rich with Arthurian romance.”
Faye Mingo, the Chief Marketing Officer at BabyCentre, comments: "With such a large audience of pregnant mums and parents-to-be, BabyCentre is one of the best-known resources when it comes to choosing baby names. It’s no real surprise to see that classic names continue to hold strong, but there are some fresh twists emerging, as parents embrace notable trends for the year ahead”.
BabyCentre UK is the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting resource, reaching millions of new and expectant parents each month. Download the free BabyCentre app and explore their new Baby Name Shuffle tool to discover the perfect baby name and build your personalised shortlist.
