Every year, BabyCenter records hundreds of thousands of baby names entered by parents across the US. These names shape school rolls, birthday charts, and future workplaces. But trends do not only rise. Some names fall sharply, and those drops reveal how parents think about identity and belonging.
The BabyCenter data from 2024 to 2025 shows clear signals. Parents are not just picking new favourites. They are actively stepping away from certain styles of names. The patterns below explain what is changing and why it matters.
Parents are done explaining spellings
One of the clearest trends is the sharp fall of creatively spelled names. Names like Charleigh, Alivia, Maddison, Emmitt, and Mohamad dropped hundreds of ranks in a single year.
The reason seems practical. Parents are choosing names that do not need constant spelling corrections at school, airports, or job interviews. A name that looks familiar on paper now matters more than one that looks unique online. The data suggests that ease is winning over novelty.
Place names are losing their charm
Location-inspired names once felt modern and global. But in 2025, that charm appears to be fading. London, Malaysia, and Dallas dropped significantly for girls, while Boston slipped for boys.
This shift hints at a desire for names that feel personal. Parents may still love travel, but they seem less keen to turn destinations into lifelong labels for their children.
Short and cute boy names are falling behind
Boy names ending in y are slipping fast. Huxley, Grady, Rey, Corey, and Harry all dropped sharply in rank.
These names often sound playful and youthful. The decline suggests that parents are thinking long-term. Names that sound strong and adaptable across childhood and adulthood are gaining preference over names that feel too nickname-like.
Certain letters are quietly going out of style
Names starting with D and K saw consistent drops across genders. For girls, Danielle, Dylan, Kenna, and Kinley lost ground. For boys, Dominick, Dev, Kylian, and Karim declined steeply.
This is not about the letters themselves. It reflects trend fatigue. Many of these names peaked years ago. Parents today seem eager to avoid names that already feel overused in classrooms and social circles.
Cross-cultural names are being reconsidered
Several names with strong cultural or global roots saw notable declines, such as Prisha, Aarya, Atharv, Ishaan, Rudra, and Avyaan.
This does not signal rejection. Instead, it may show a pause. As more parents seek a balance between heritage and simplicity, they may be choosing names that feel culturally meaningful yet easier to use across different settings.
Familiar classics are no longer safe either
Even long-standing names are not immune. Nicole, Gabrielle, Regina, Frank, Bruce, and Harry all dropped significantly.
The decline of these names suggests that “classic” alone is no longer enough. Parents appear to want names that feel both familiar and fresh, without sounding dated.
What this trend really means
The BabyCenter data does not point to one perfect name style. It points to intention. Parents are thinking about how a name sounds, looks, travels, and ages. Names that require less explanation, feel less trend-heavy, and work across life stages are becoming safer choices.
Disclaimer: This article is based on BabyCenter’s analysis of the top 1,000 baby names for 2024 and 2025, using data submitted by parents of babies born in 2025. Name trends change over time and across regions. Popularity data should be used for insight, not prediction.
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