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HelpRe: What do you think baby name trends will be like during the 2030s/2040s?
in reply to a message by Grazz
I think it will be a mixed bag. 2030 is just 8 years from now, so even I would still be of child bearing age, and I'm not currently a teenager. Additionally, I suspect that quite a few current teens will never have children and that many of those who do will have more traditional values compared with those who choose childlessness. With that in mind, I expect to see a blend of styles with a slight bias toward tradition and the most popular names used at a lower frequency/ percentage than they are now.
Here is what I see being popular:
Myth with a traditional feel - Names that are tied to mythology but also may be honoring to a family member will probably rise especially Arthur and possibly Elaine. Later on, maybe around 2040, Bridget will start coming back too.
Grandma/Grandpa names - I expect to see a resurgence in names like Helen, Sylvia, Betty, and Jean along with their male counter parts. I wouldn't be surprised if Theodore becomes the #1 or #2 baby name by then since it is already popular and I know so many Grandpa's and great-uncles with that name.
Unusual religious name and counter-religious names - I expect we will see Old Testament type names continue to rise in popularity with names like Moses and Ira reaching the 200s. By a simultaneous rise in counter-religious names, I mean that names that flip a finger at religious tradition by honoring the villains will become more popular. The rising popularity of Delilah and Lilith makes me think that names like Lucifer, Damon/Daemon and Iblis will also become more common although probably not in the top 100.
Surnames and place names - We already see a lot of these names, and I expect we will continue to do so. Surnames are often honoring, and they are generally perceived as unisex.
Nature names - Again, we are already seeing a rise in nature names like Luna and Ivy and Everest, and this trend will probably continue with parents making increasingly obscure references to their favorite mountains and plants.
Here is what I see being popular:
Myth with a traditional feel - Names that are tied to mythology but also may be honoring to a family member will probably rise especially Arthur and possibly Elaine. Later on, maybe around 2040, Bridget will start coming back too.
Grandma/Grandpa names - I expect to see a resurgence in names like Helen, Sylvia, Betty, and Jean along with their male counter parts. I wouldn't be surprised if Theodore becomes the #1 or #2 baby name by then since it is already popular and I know so many Grandpa's and great-uncles with that name.
Unusual religious name and counter-religious names - I expect we will see Old Testament type names continue to rise in popularity with names like Moses and Ira reaching the 200s. By a simultaneous rise in counter-religious names, I mean that names that flip a finger at religious tradition by honoring the villains will become more popular. The rising popularity of Delilah and Lilith makes me think that names like Lucifer, Damon/Daemon and Iblis will also become more common although probably not in the top 100.
Surnames and place names - We already see a lot of these names, and I expect we will continue to do so. Surnames are often honoring, and they are generally perceived as unisex.
Nature names - Again, we are already seeing a rise in nature names like Luna and Ivy and Everest, and this trend will probably continue with parents making increasingly obscure references to their favorite mountains and plants.
This message was edited 6/29/2022, 11:55 AM
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whoa there, Damon (and Daemon) have nada to do with "demon." Just sayin'!
I also don't think they'd come back as counterreligious names anyway. Damon had a little popularity not so long ago and I don't think it seems to be in a category with stuff like Lucifer, Loki, Azrael, or Osiris.
Well - I hope it would not be thought of that way ... sigh (I really like Damon)
Damian / Damien seems more likely, because it's associated with the horror genre - or maybe that is falling out of memory now.
I also don't think they'd come back as counterreligious names anyway. Damon had a little popularity not so long ago and I don't think it seems to be in a category with stuff like Lucifer, Loki, Azrael, or Osiris.
Well - I hope it would not be thought of that way ... sigh (I really like Damon)
Damian / Damien seems more likely, because it's associated with the horror genre - or maybe that is falling out of memory now.
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I can see both Damian and Damon. Even though Damon and demon aren’t etymologically related, I can see it being popular because it sounds like demon. It’ll definitely be less popular than Damien, though, maybe in the 300s or 200s, while Damien will mostly likely be somewhere in the 50-90 range. I’ve met a Damien, but never a Damon, and I think that’ll keep happening.
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I really like Damian for the meaning and sound. If it comes back it may be as a nod to the saint(s) rather than as a nod to an old horror film.
Etymologically, I know Damon has nothing to do with demons, but some people might play off the sound similarity. I was thinking of Philip Pullman's Dark Materials with the Daemon familiars that he deliberately named in a play off of the word demon (although there isn't really anything demonic about them).
Etymologically, I know Damon has nothing to do with demons, but some people might play off the sound similarity. I was thinking of Philip Pullman's Dark Materials with the Daemon familiars that he deliberately named in a play off of the word demon (although there isn't really anything demonic about them).
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I don't think Pullman intended it to play off the word demon! A daemon / daimon is not originally malignant. He may be a critic of Christianity, but he wasn't deliberately suggesting that what is defined as malignant (the Christian concept of a demon - the word usage is a distortion / malinterpretation of daimon), is actually good.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A6mon_(His_Dark_Materials)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimon
(I guess you know this already - links for the information of anyone who reads this)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A6mon_(His_Dark_Materials)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daimon
(I guess you know this already - links for the information of anyone who reads this)
This message was edited 6/29/2022, 5:43 PM
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Also, going along with what you’re saying, I think the name Genesis will be more popular. It’s very obscure and wordy sounding, but it is very traditional in a way because of its Christian associations. I could see it being used by more traditional parents, as well as more experimental, modern ones, making it popular. It’s already around #70 at the moment.
This message was edited 6/29/2022, 12:44 PM
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Dang, I keep forgetting it’s only 8 years from now.
I agree with all of these, but especially the last one.
I agree with all of these, but especially the last one.
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Also, Bridget is currently on my PNL. I had no idea it was that unpopular. I thought it might be around #200, but it’s only around #700.
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