By Pamela Redmond Satran for Nameberry
There are new no. 1 baby names for both girls and boys on Nameberry for 2012. Movie queen Katniss, heroine of "The Hunger Games," takes the top spot among our most-viewed names for girls, while Irish mythological name Finn leapfrogs over our former top boy names Asher and Henry to claim the most popular crown.
Our official 2012 popularity lists, based on nearly 13 million views of our name pages, reflect current interest and future trends in baby names. What’s hot: quirky, traditional names for girls, new Old Testament choices for boys, along with Scandinavian and ancient Roman names.
Names moving fastest up the ladder for girls include the Kardashian choice Penelope, Chloe, Evelyn, and Wren. Boys’ names leapfrogging in popularity include the biblical Simon, Zachary, and Samuel, along with imports Kieran and Soren.
New entrants to our Top 100 include pop culture-inspired Merida and Aria, along with Florence, Luna, and Pearl for girls; Zane, Cato, Stellan, Cyrus, and Nolan for boys.
Unisex names continue to be popular, with Harper, Quinn, and Rowan the Top 3. Of these, Harper and Quinn are moving further toward the girls’ side, while Rowan remains more evenly divided between the genders.
Here, Nameberry’s full official Top 100 lists for both girls and boys, along with the Top 10 unisex names.
| GIRLS | BOYS | UNISEX |
|---|
| Katniss | Finn | Harper |
| Charlotte | Asher | Quinn |
| Imogen | Henry | Rowan |
| Seraphina | Milo | Kai |
| Amelia | Jasper | Avery |
| Penelope | James | Sawyer |
| Violet | Oliver | Emerson |
| Isla | Atticus | Elliot |
| Eleanor | Jude | Rory |
| Alice | Owen | August |
| Adelaide | Felix | |
| Cora | Levi | |
| Evelyn | Liam | |
| Aurora | Emmett | |
| Maeve | Leo | |
| Scarlett | Silas | |
| Eliza | Miles | |
| Sophia | Ezra | |
| Claire | Sebastian | |
| Grace | Noah | |
| Lila | Declan | |
| Nora | Jack | |
| Hazel | Luca | |
| Olivia | Hudson | |
| Ava | Everett | |
| Ivy | Max | |
| Elizabeth | Ethan | |
| Clara | Caleb | |
| Lucy | William | |
| Ruby | Eli | |
| Stella | Micah | |
| Matilda | Theodore | |
| Beatrice | Charlie | |
| Wren | Flynn | |
| Ella | Oscar | |
| Emma | Benjamin | |
| Merida | Rhys | |
| Poppy | Isaac | |
| Clementine | Luke | |
| Chloe | Beckett | |
| Isabella | Julian | |
| Evangeline | Elijah | |
| Aurelia | Gabriel | |
| Audrey | Wyatt | |
| Willa | Nathaniel | |
| Josephine | Alexander | |
| Rose | Simon | |
| Iris | Theo | |
| Mila | Hugo | |
| Maisie | Dashiell | |
| Lily | Mason | |
| Arabella | Callum | |
| Genevieve | Samuel | |
| Adeline | Jacob | |
| Elodie | Lucas | |
| Aria | Xavier | |
| Eloise | Arlo | |
| Mae | Roman | |
| Lydia | Thomas | |
| Caroline | Arthur | |
| Harlow | Archer | |
| Phoebe | Jonah | |
| Juliet | Zachary | |
| Margaret | John | |
| Jane | Elias | |
| Gemma | Zane | |
| Florence | Cole | |
| Emmeline | Jackson | |
| Zoe | Phineus | |
| Esme | Grayson | |
| Olive | Christian | |
| Emily | Kieran | |
| Cordelia | Soren | |
| Mia | Cato | |
| Delilah | Andrew | |
| Georgia | Dexter | |
| Madeline | Evan | |
| Sadie | Charles | |
| Hannah | Nicholas | |
| Willow | Rufus | |
| Anna | Stellan | |
| Piper | Orion | |
| Luna | Gideon | |
| Hadley | Aiden | |
| Cecelia | Edward | |
| Zara | Nathan | |
| Maya | Holden | |
| Mabel | Cyrus | |
| Pearl | Nolan | |
| Isadora | Daniel | |
| Kate | Griffin | |
| Amelie | Michael | |
| Ellie | Matthew | |
| Vivian | Joseph | |
| Lola | George | |
| Eden | Tobias | |
| Lucia | Seth | |
| Beatrix | Bodhi | |
| Millie | Reed | |
| Anais | Harry | |
Plus, here are Nameberry’s predictions for baby names in 2013.
Loading Slideshow
Biggest Big Picture Trend: Ancient Names
Russell Crowe’s "Gladiator" and HBO’s "Rome" may have kindled the trend for Ancient Roman names, but then the megahit "The Hunger Games" drove it into the big-time. With another film of the series set for November 2013, we predict that names of old world gods and goddesses, mythological heroes and leaders will dominate birth announcements. Choices we’ll be hearing more of include Augustus and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Atticus">Atticus</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/persephone">Persephone</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/athena">Athena</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/juno">Juno</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/julius">Julius</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/thor">Thor</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/maeve">Maeve</a>. The appeal transcends the pop culture influence: These names are as powerful as they are deep, arming a child to triumph over earthly challenges.
Pictured: LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 24: A general view of the after party for HBO's new drama series 'Rome' at the Wadsworth Theater on August 24, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Most Surprising Name Inspiration: Superstorm Sandy
The devastating superstorm is not likely to inspire a wave of baby Sandys or even <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/sandra">Sandras</a>, but the endless repetition of the name is statistically likely to increase the use of S names -- as was the case of K names after <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/katrina">Katrina</a>. Along with a wave of babies born nine months after the storm, we predict the rise of names with a Sandy-like sound, such as Alessandra or <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Cassandra">Cassandra</a> or Sander. From there you can stretch to the word names Sand, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Dune">Dune</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Beach">Beach</a>, or even <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Storm">Storm</a>.
Trend Most Likely to Cross the Ocean: Leonine Names
Leo has been climbing the charts since the emergence of Leonardo DeCaprio, but other leonine names popular in Europe are set to invade our shores. <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Leon">Leon</a> has been a top name in Germany and high in Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia and even Ireland for a decade—and that could happen here. Other leonine names stylish overseas with potential in the U.S. include <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Leonie">Leonie</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/lionel">Lionel</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Lev">Lev</a>, along with <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Leopold">Leopold</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Leonora">Leonora</a> which don’t mean lion but feel as if they should. One celebrity cut right to the chase, when Alex O’Loughlin recently named his son <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/lion">Lion</a>.
Coolest Middle Name Trend: Non-name Names
Using a word, any word with personal significance, as a middle name takes the trend toward using an adventurous and meaningful name in the middle to new heights of quirkiness and creativity. Celebrities have led the way, using everything from Ballerina to <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Bear">Bear</a>, Sweetheart to <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Seven">Seven</a> to Song to <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Star">Star</a> to <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Saint">Saint</a> in middle place following more conventional firsts.
Hottest Trend Inspired by a Celebrity: Meaningful Place Names
When Reese Witherspoon named her baby son <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/tennessee">Tennessee</a>, it wasn’t in honor of playwright Williams. Rather, it has deep personal resonance, Reese having been raised in Tennessee, her mother’s native state. Other celebs have chosen names of places that also have emotional significance, while another contingent have gone for the more exotic -- Chris Hemsworth’s daughter <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/India">India</a> -- or the down-to-earth, as with Nick Lachey’s <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/camden">Camden</a>.
Newest Retro Trend: Midcentury Nicknames
The last wave of grandma and grandpa nickname names -- <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/annie">Annie</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/molly">Molly</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/ben">Ben</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/max">Max</a> -- are now borne by new parents, who we predict will turn to vintage nicknames from the "Mad Men" era for their own children, with the most fashionable choices for boys. While <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/don">Don</a> and<a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/dick"> Dick</a> have not yet reemerged, we see a new generation of kids with names like <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/hank">Hank</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/hal">Hal</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/ray">Ray</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/fay">Fay</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/millie">Millie</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/monty">Monty</a>, and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/lous">Lous </a>of both genders.
Ethnic Name Group Most Likely to Rise: Scandinavian
Sure, Latin names are sexier and French names have more chic, but baby namers are beginning to appreciate the distinctive charms of the Scandinavian, inspired by a combination of <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/siri">Siri</a> and Stieg Larsson. Some names have been introduced by celebrities, like <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/stellan">Stellan</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Viggo">Viggo </a>and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/liv">Liv</a>, others by starbabies such as <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/kai">Kai</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/magnus">Magnus</a> (there was one born to Elizabeth Banks just this week), and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/axel">Axel</a>, but there are other appealing choices as well, including <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/freya">Freya</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Linnea">Linnea</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Signy">Signy</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Astrid">Astrid</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Soren">Soren</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Leif">Leif</a>, and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/lars">Lars</a>. In the Christmas 2013 "Hobbit" movie, one of the major characters is named Thorin.
Name Trend That’s Jumped the Shark: Double L Names
At first they seemed irresistibly lilting -- all those lovely girls’ names that doubled up on the L sounds: <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Lily">Lily</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Lila">Lila</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Lola">Lola</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Leila">Leila</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Layla">Layla</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Lillian">Lillian</a>. But we suspect that tongues are getting tired of reaching up for all those L’s and that the trend has passed its tipping point.
Freshest Botanical Names: Wildflowers
Baby namers have started to turn from cultivated gardens and look to the fields where flowers grow wild. Hottest of these at the moment are <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/clover">Clover</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/poppy">Poppy</a>, along with uncultivated tree names <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/juniper">Juniper</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/maple">Maple</a>. For the adventurous, there are choices like <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/thistle">Thistle</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/dandelion">Dandelion</a>, and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/buttercup">Buttercup</a>. The herbal names from "The Hunger Games" are also influential, but more <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/rue">Rue</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/primrose">Primrose</a> and less <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/katniss">Katniss</a>.
Coolest Direction in Naming: North
Seasonal names have taken on a wintery chill. <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/winter">Winter</a> (used by Gretchen Mol) itself is sounding fresher than <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/summer">Summer</a> or <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/autumn">Autumn</a>, and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/march">March </a>and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/january">January</a> are moving in on <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/may">May</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/june">June</a>. We’ve also been seeing <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/snow">Snow</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/frost">Frost</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/north">North</a> itself, especially as middle names, and we predict there’ll be more crisp and nippy names ahead.
Consonant of the Moment: W
<a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/william">William</a>, of course, has been a stalwart in the baby name world for centuries, but other names sharing that initial have lagged behind. Now suddenly there is a flurry of long-neglected W-names resurfacing. For boys, there are <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/west">West</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/weston">Weston</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/wesley">Wesley</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/warren">Warren</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/walker">Walker</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/walter">Walter</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/winston">Winston</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/wilson">Wilson</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/wilder">Wilder</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/wylie">Wylie </a>and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/wyatt">Wyatt</a>, and for girls, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/willa">Willa</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/willow">Willow</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/winter">Winter</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/winnie">Winnie</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/waverly">Waverly</a>, and even clunky <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/Wilhelmina">Wilhelmina</a> is back on board after being chosen recently by Natalie and Taylor Hanson.
Most Surprising Comeback Name: Etta
Surprising and yet logical. We have seen the progression of top girls’names shift from <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/emily">Emily</a> to <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/emma">Emma</a> to <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/ella">Ella</a>, so <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/etta">Etta </a>makes sense as a successor. She was a Top 100 name at the end of the nineteeth century, falling off the list in 1966, but the recent death of the great blues singer Etta James brought her name back into the spotlight, inspiring at least one celeb -- Carson Daly -- to use it for his daughter.
Hottest New Celebrity Trend: Keeping Names Secret
There are still many celebs who can’t wait to get that money shot of their five-minute-old baby onto the cover of <em>People</em>, but there is now a growing trend for keeping the name (and sometimes even gender) of famous offspring private for a long period of time -- if not permanently. We still don’t know, for example, the names (or sex) of Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyers’s twins or that of Sarah Michelle Geller and Freddie Prinze Jr’s son. Uma Thurman waited three months to leak the names of her daughter <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/rosalind">Rosalind</a> Arusha Arkadina Altalune Florence Thurman-Busson -- though maybe it took her that long to configure them.
Trendiest Name Length: The Long and the Short Of It
Goodbye <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/jayden">Jayden</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/ashton">Ashton</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/ava">Ava</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/emma">Emma</a>: the cutting-edge parent today is much more interested in a single-syllable name or one that has three or even four syllables. On the rise: the short and sleek <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/cole">Cole</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/zane">Zane</a>, <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/eve">Eve</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/may">May</a>; and at the other end of the spectrum: <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/macallister">Macallister</a> (choice of Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer), <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/penelope">Penelope</a> (new non-K Kardashian name), <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/arabella">Arabella</a> and <a href="http://nameberry.com/babyname/theodora">Theodora</a>.
More Baby Name Ideas
<strong><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/27/unusual-baby-names_n_1916813.html">20 Unusual Baby Names That Are Going To Be Trendy</a>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/05/celebrity-baby-names-the-most-influential_n_1941005.html">12 Celebrity Baby Names Regular People Love</a>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/classic-boys-baby-names_n_1884361.html">24 Classic Names That Are Making A Comeback</a>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/13/baby-names-2012_n_1666164.html">The Hottest Names Of 2012 (So Far)</a>
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/baby-names">See All Baby Name Stories</a></strong>
Nameberry is the baby name website created by Pamela Redmond Satran and Linda Rosenkrantz, authors of ten bestselling books on names including "Cool Names for Babies" and "The Baby Name Bible."
|
Posted: 12/20/2012 2:58 pm EST | Updated: 12/22/2012 7:42 pm EST
Loading comments… 
