Baby Boy And Girl Names That Might Become Extinct In 2023
Baby naming trends come and go, sometimes at lightning speeds. Even researchers are mystified by the constant shifts in name fads. Studies on the matter have shown that names often explode in popularity with the help of pop culture, such as songs, films, politics, and current events, according to JSTOR Daily. What's more, uncommon baby names are on the rise.
There can be a lot of pressure to give your baby the perfect moniker — something that's trendy and yet unique but not too over-the-top. Pamela Redmond, co-creator of Nameberry, says it's perfectly reasonable to feel a bit jittery about naming your little one. As she told People, "The reason choosing your child's name is so important is that it's a key step in defining your new family. Your child's name symbolizes the values and priorities most important in the world you create for your child. It sets the identity you present to the world and to yourself."
As expected, the baby naming sphere is jampacked with trends for 2023 — from the rise of names featuring the letter "X" to adjective names like Loyal and Divine (via Parents). If you're looking to nail the name game, it may be more helpful to know which names to avoid based on their vanishing popularity. According to data collected by BabyCenter, the following names are at risk of joining the dinosaurs.
Kian
In a turn of events that would probably dismay the Kardashian family, "K" names for both sexes may make an exit this year. The beloved boys' names Khalid, Kameron, Kane, Kyle, and Kobe are all expected to trend down in popularity, along with Kenzie, Kira, and Katherine for the girls. Kian is also on the chopping block for 2023. Data from BabyCenter shows Kian's popularity plummeted 93 spots to No. 384 in 2022.
Rooted in Gaelic and Hebrew, Kian means "ancient" and "God is gracious," per The Bump. The moniker had been gaining popularity since the 1990s but, true to its meaning, Kian may be ancient history by the end of 2023.
Zion may be a great alternative to Kian. According to baby name expert Abby Sandel, there's a good reason why Zion is closing in on the top 100 most popular boy names. "It's a purpose name. Not only is Zion spiritually significant as a synonym for Jerusalem, but it suggests individual potential, too," Sandel told HuffPost. The name also offers delightful variations, like Zyon and Zionne (via Verywell Family).
Hayden
Once ranked No. 127 by BabyCenter, the girl's name Hayden is quickly fading in popularity. As of 2022, Hayden's rating had shrunk to No. 487. It's difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of Hayden's decline, but it's clear that the name's heyday is over. Despite the downfall of the moniker, which means "hedged valley," nature-evoking names are still as popular as ever. Wrenley, Flora, Oakleigh, and Clover are all increasing in popularity as of this writing, according to the Social Security Administration.
There's a lot to be said about the popularity of nature-inspired monikers. Not only do they feel peaceful and grounding, but they also conjure a sense of curiosity and wonder. Baby name expert Sarah-Jayne Ljungstrom told HuffPost, "Modern parents are turning to nature for inspiration more than ever as we yearn for a back-to-basics, slow-living lifestyle for our children. Just as the plant-based trend has taken over our kitchens, we're in the garden for names with Sage, Juniper, Moss and River all becoming more common names."
Arjun
Meaning "bright, shining, white," Arjun is derived from Arjuna, a hero of Indian mythology, according to Nameberry. Arjun has surely spent its time in the sun, but this lovely boy's name is expected to lose its luster by the end of 2023. Between 2021 and 2022, Arjun plummeted 164 spots to No. 492, according to BabyCenter data.
There are lots of popular alternatives with the same exuberance as Arjun, and Nameberry predicts that 2023 is the year of gilded names. If you want to get ahead of this luminous name fad, consider borrowing the monikers of sun gods, like Apollo or Helios. You might also opt for Lux, which means "light."
If you adore the radiance of Arjun but are looking for something a little fresher, Bodhi is a name to consider. This rising star in baby names means "enlightened," and naming experts are wild about it. According to name consultant Sarah-Jayne Ljungstrom, there's good reason for the hype around Bodhi. "We saw a huge boom in spiritual names as the well-being trend for yoga, crystals, and moon cycles continue to become a passion for men and women," Ljungstrom explained to HuffPost. For trendier names that shine as brilliantly as Arjun, BabyCenter recommends Ayaan, Aiden, and Aditya.
Ariyah
According to NameBerry, Ariyah's popularity first rose in 2013. The name, which means "lion," no longer sits at the top of the baby name food chain, and BabyCenter data shows this name is on its way out. In 2022, this dignified moniker slipped 129 spots to No. 449. Now that Ariyah is going out of style, parents may be on the prowl for trendy names that are equally regal and beautiful. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives. Gorgeous monikers like Aurora, Athena, and Aria have already made appearances in the top 50 names of 2023, per BabyCenter.
If you're drawn to the name Ariyah, you may love the trendier longer names that 2023 has in store. As baby name consultant Taylor Humphery told HuffPost, three- to four-syllable names are the blueprint for modern baby monikers. "Names like... Josephine, Eliana, Genevieve, and Magnolia offer a long and poetic sound, with a variety of easy and fun nickname options," said Humphrey.
Rory
Sadly, this classic gender-neutral name is falling out of favor with parents of baby boys. In 2022, Rory dropped 122 places from its ranking the previous year, falling to No. 459, per BabyCenter. Originating in Ireland, Rory means "red king." But it looks like Rory's reign will end in 2023.
With Rory falling out of fashion, parents may be searching for boy names that are both regal and trendy. August, Royal, Jasper, and Malik all fit the bill perfectly. According to BabyCenter, admirers of Rory will also love River, Liam, and Ryder as alternatives.
It's difficult to know exactly why Rory's popularity is fading, but one possible explanation is the shift toward names that sound more fresh and futuristic. According to Jennifer Moss, founder of Babyname.com, Atlas leads the way in this trend. "For boys, Atlas is rising fast, and I believe it will make the top 10 in the next couple of years," Moss told HuffPost. When it comes to naming your little one, Atlas could be the perfect trade-off for Rory.
Mira
With strong meanings like "admirable," "peace," "female ruler," and "ocean," it's easy to see why Mira has risen to baby name prestige over the years. However, in 2022, the name tumbled to No. 449 in popularity — down 129 spots from 2021, according to BabyCenter data. If this trend continues in 2023, the tides of pop culture might sweep Mira away entirely.
For lovers of the sea, some popular alternatives are on the rise. Neptunian names such as Dune, Cordelia, and Nixie are gorgeous stand-ins for Mira, per Nameberry. According to experts, the name Ocean is also a winning choice. As baby name consultant Carly Zuno told HuffPost, "Ocean has been embraced by parents of both genders. It entered the SSA Top 1,000 for the first time in 2020 for males and in 2021 for females, so it feels fresher than an ocean breeze."
If you're looking to bestow your baby with a name as regal as Mira, there are some trendy options. Sadie, Avery, and Juno all allude to royalty, according to Nameberry, and they might be the perfect choice for your little Majesty.
Wade
Wade is a classic unisex name that means "at the river crossing." According to Nameberry, this moniker has kept a constant presence in the top 1,000 U.S. boys' names. Wade hit its stride over a half-century ago, clocking in at No. 183 in 1966. Another uptick in popularity occurred in 2018, which brought the name back into prominence. But in 2022, Wade was barely treading water at No. 447, according to BabyCenter's data. If the trend continues, 2023 could be the end of times for Wade. For those who adore the sweet simplicity of this one-syllable name, trendier choices include Beau, Dean, or Jace.
To baby naming experts, it's no surprise that classic names like Wade are circling the drain. In fact, The Atlantic reported that in 2020 only 7% of parents gave their baby a name from the top-10 list. There's a simple explanation for this, according to Laura Wattenburg, founder of Namerology: Parents want their kids to stand out. "We are deep in an era of naming individuality, where parents assume that having a [name] sound distinctive and unique is a virtue," Wattenburg told the publication.
Kate
Kate has a lot going for it. With callbacks to Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew," as well as references to luminaries like Kate Middleton, the name is both classic and iconic. A diminutive of Katherine, Kate means "pure," per Nameberry. In 2022, however, Kate dropped 130 spots in popularity to No. 503. Although 2023 is sure to be filled with timeless baby names, it appears that Kate's time is running out.
According to Nameberry, there's a new classic name trend taking over in 2023: Little girls will be bestowed with Grandpa names. That's right, the Kates of the world will have to step aside for charming monikers like Bobbie, Max, and Billie. Delving into pop culture, experts also foresee the rise of classic names like Beth — a nod to the "Yellowstone" character — as well as Mia and Daphne, courtesy of "The White Lotus" (via Romper). And that's not all. Classic jazz names are also climbing in popularity, says Good Housekeeping. Some of this trend's most adorable appellations, such as Charlotte, Amelia, and Evelyn, have dominated the name game in recent years, per the Social Security Administration.
Walter
With its approachability and long lifespan, the name Walter has the appeal of an old, familiar friend. According to Verywell Family, the name rose to No. 10 in popularity in 1914. The moniker has even had a renaissance within the past decade, rounding out 2020 as the 274th-ranked boy's name. However, in 2022, Walter dipped to No. 477. Although Walter means "commander of the army," it appears that this name might not have much fight left in it after all.
If you're looking for a similar yet more trendy name, you might consider going vintage. According to name consultant Gloria Kirk, vintage names are a timeless and stylish choice for baby boys. "While it's true that we can almost always expect names to cycle in popularity and see names that were once popular 100 years ago come back from the dead, I feel that vintage names are becoming trendier and are being used more in general," Kirk told HuffPost. Kirk continued, saying, "Vintage names are familiar yet can be unique in current times ... which make them an excellent choice for those wanting an uncommon name, but not something unheard of."
Ethan, Jack, Archie, Gil, Quincy, and Otto are just a few options when it comes to cute vintage boy names (via Pampers).
Teagan
This lovely unisex name meaning "little poet" is in danger of being written out of the popular list. According to BabyCenter, Teagan hit its stride as a girl's name in 2016, peaking at No. 150. In 2022, however, Teagan's popularity plunged to No. 354. The decline of Teagen means that other gender-neutral names are sure to have a breakthrough.
As Pamela Redmond, Nameberry's CEO, explained to Good Housekeeping, many parents are searching for an escape from rigidly gendered monikers. "That doesn't always mean that boys and girls are getting the same names, though there are plenty of hot new gender neutral and nonbinary names around," Redmond explained. "Rather, we see girl names becoming stronger and more heroic while boy names are becoming less conventional and less traditionally masculine."
If you love the appeal of gender-inclusive names like Teagan, you may also adore trendier monikers Arrow, Cypress, Merritt, and Ridley (via Good Housekeeping). Poetry-inspired names, like Emerson, Dove, Marlowe, Rumi, or Brooks, are also great choices.
Nehemiah
Nehemiah, a name derived from Hebrew that means "comforted by God." is a classic moniker that might disappear in 2023. In 2022, Nehemiah plummeted to No. 492 on the popularity list — 104 spots down from the previous year, according to BabyCenter. If the trend continues, parents may look to more popular faith-based names as stand-ins for Nehemiah.
In a conversation with "Today," naming expert Sherri Suzanne confirmed that unconventional Bible-based names will be red hot in 2023. "This trend shouldn't be surprising, given that Noah has been in the top ten for boys for nearly fifteen years, leaping over more conventional choices like Joseph and Matthew," Suzanne said. Parents who want to bypass Nehemiah while staying on trend might consider Levi, Asher, Caleb, or Jude for their newest addition.
Nameberry predicts that Theodore is the next king of religious-inspired names. In 2021, the name swelled to prominence, breaking into the top 10 most popular names for the first time. If you're looking for a solid alternative to Nehemiah, this versatile name meaning "gift of God" could be just the one.
Paige
According to Nameberry, Paige received a major popularity boost from characters in television shows like "Charmed" and "Pretty Little Liars." In the early aughts, the name peaked at an impressive No. 47 in popularity. However, in 2022, Paige fell to No. 395.
According to BabyCenter, Paige originates from the French language and means "assistant." If you're looking for a more popular name that evokes a similar meaning, Ezra may be the perfect moniker for your little one. According to expert Sherri Suzanne, this gender-neutral name is here to stay. "Ezra is becoming popular to use for any gender," Suzanne told HuffPost. "Traditionally Ezra is a Hebrew male name meaning 'help, protect' but is also used as a Persian female name." Other names that mean "helper" include Ezer, Sandra, Theary, Zahira, and Alexis, according to We The Parents.
For those who adore the single-syllable sweetness of Paige, some popular alternatives are Claire, Quinn, Blake, or Sloane, per "Today."
Syed
The masculine name Syed comes from an Arabic term meaning "happy," per BabyNames.com. Despite its uplifting connotation, there's some unpleasant news to report about Syed — the name is majorly trending downwards in popularity. In 2022, Syed slid to No. 477 on the popularity list. If Syed continues to fizzle, parents will be looking for similar, trendier alternatives. According to BabyCenter, Amir, Zane, Kai, and Xavier are all popular substitutes for Syed. There's also the popular boy's name Felix, which means "joy" and "lucky," according to Love To Know.
If you want to stick with baby boy names that denote happy feelings, name consultant Lilia E. Corrigan says to look out for "modern comfort names," which are also trending for the year. "There has certainly been an emerging demand amongst my clients for softer, cozier baby names," Corrigan told HuffPost. "Names such as Griffin, Sullivan and Fletcher certainly fit the bill in this category."
Adelyn
According to BabyCenter, Adelyn burst into prominence during the 2010s, reaching its peak in 2015 at No. 193. But by 2022, the name had fallen to No. 319 in popularity. As Adelyn fades out of view, it will be clearing the way for other trendy baby girl names. There's not always an evident reason why naming trends move in specific directions, but experts believe that some trends are related to particular sounds and the feelings that they evoke.
It's possible that Adelyn and other "-lyn" names are losing steam in favor of names with more satisfying "-a" endings. As communication expert Emily Rhine Butler explained to Romper, "Sounds that lift, like at the end of Olivia or Amelia, are considered more positive. There's this idea of certain sounds giving certain emotions, like Emily, Mia, anything with the long 'e' sound, your mouth goes into almost a smile, which is why so many diminutives include it."
Luckily, 2023 is giving us plenty of euphonious names to choose from. According to the Social Security Administration, such names increasing in popularity in 2023 include Raya, Vida, Mylah, Zayla, Navy, and Nyra.