Are you, like us, a name nerd? Then you’re in for a treat. Not just statistics, but also some behind-the-trend insights and (a bit quirky) inspiration from ‘over there’, color-inspired names, celebrity names, TV names, made-up names, and of course, names with X. Enjoy!
In March, when the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) has received the final name forms from 2023, it was possible to determine which names became the most popular in 2023 and which saw the greatest increase. However, even early on, some names that are on the rise can be clearly distinguished. It’s no surprise that Solveig, Billy, Birk, Gusten, Estrid, and Fatima have made it to my mental list. What are your favorites from the list?
Trending Girls’ Names in Sweden:
Leya
Fatima
Nadia
Miriam
Holly
Aylin
Estrid
Julie
Solveig
Kiara
Trending Boys’ Names in Sweden:
Todd
Billy
Gusten
Muhammad
Birk
Maximilian
Linus
Johannes
Bilal
Ralf
When the list was published on the Swedish Tax Agency’s website (formerly by SCB), it looked like this for the most popular names of 2023:
1. Vera
2. Elsa
3. Alma
4. Selma
5. Alice
6. Signe
7. Ellie
8. Olivia
9. Astrid
10. Ella
1. Noah
2. Hugo
3. William
4. Liam
5. Nils
6. Oliver
7. Elias
8. Adam
9. August
10. Sam
Name trends are influenced by various factors such as the popularity of celebrities, characters in popular culture, and observations from the surrounding society. When a name becomes popular, it can lead to similar names in form, style, or letter increasing in popularity. For example, names like Stella and Ella have risen in popularity together. For girls, two-syllable names ending in ‘A’, such as Agnes, Maja, Alma, Vera, and Selma, dominate.
On the boys’ side, the trend has been softer, with a group of three-syllable names like Oliver, William, and Matteo. A predicted change for 2024 is that short girls’ names and melodic boys’ names may face competition from other naming styles, according to name researcher Emilia Aldrin.
The name trends show that Ellie and Julie, which are already on the top 100 list in Sweden, are expected to increase in popularity. For Leia, the spelling seems to be holding its position or possibly decreasing, while the spelling Leya is dramatically on the rise.
Among boys’ names, Todd stands out with a 53 percent increase, with 58 boys having received this name so far in 2023. Billy and Birk are also beginning to rise in popularity.
Name researcher Emilia Aldrin points out that names like Solveig and Ralf follow the ongoing 1940s trend. Other names, such as Estrid and Ellie, are linked to previous name trends like Astrid and Ella. She also notes that names like Todd align with short Anglo-American names like Bill and Ted. It’s interesting to see that many of the fastest-growing names reflect the multicultural society, including names like Fatima, Aylin, Miriam, Nadia, Muhammad, and Bilal.
The “Old Man Names” Trend
A growing trend is the resurgence of “old man names” from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, such as Tage, Folke, Sven, and Nils, with some names already climbing in popularity. The name researcher predicts that this trend will continue, with Valter being a name that could reach the top.
Name trends typically cycle every 80-100 years, and it is becoming increasingly common to seek inspiration from one’s parental generation. Could we expect classic 1940s names like Kerstin, Anita, and Monica to start appearing more frequently in 2024?
Names like Hedvig, Idun, Astrid, and Ingrid, especially those ending in a consonant, are expected to rise in popularity.
On the boys’ side, there is a noticeable increase in Arabic names such as Rayan. At the same time, short Anglo-Saxon names like Bill, Ted, Otis, Sam, and Leo are becoming popular. In the U.S., there is a trend toward unisex names that can be used for both boys and girls. This could spread to Sweden in the coming year. Names to watch include Lo, Bo, and Eli.
Quirky Name Trends from the USA
During the 2020s, we’ve witnessed a wealth of diversity and creativity in the choice of baby names. Parents around the world have drawn inspiration from various sources, including culture, nature, and pop culture.
Nature-Inspired Names Reflecting Harmony
One of the most prominent trends of the 2020s has been the growing interest in nature and its influence on baby names. Names like Luna, Aurora, River, and Willow have become increasingly popular. Parents often choose names associated with peace, beauty, and harmony, reflecting a heightened awareness of nature’s importance.
Timeless Historical Classics
Nostalgia has also played a significant role in the choice of baby names during the 2020s. Many parents have revived old and classic names like Clara, Oliver, Emma, and Henry. These timeless names have gained renewed popularity, offering a sense of stability and tradition in a time of change.
Creative Combinations
Parents have also shown an increased appetite for creativity by experimenting with spellings and combinations of names. Examples include Kaiden, Khloe, Jayden, and Zoey. This trend reflects a desire to create unique and personal identities for their children.
Celebrities & Characters
Movies, music, and TV series have always influenced name choices, and this decade is no exception. Characters from popular films and TV shows have inspired parents to choose names like Arya (Game of Thrones), Elsa (Frozen), and Finn (Star Wars).
Can You Handle a Few More Name Lists?
The American site Nameberry.com has identified some name trends that stand out from the usual top lists and are predicted to dominate the 2020s. These new names will be created from adjectives, mixed and matched, and inspired by maximalism, the 1980s, and the world of fantasy. Quirky and fun!
Maximalist Names
Extravagant names are expected to become a major trend. Parents are looking to stories, myths, and legends to find names that signal confidence and remind their children to be the main characters in their own lives. Think abundance, decadence, and drama! It feels (without being judgmental) incredibly American. “Come in for dinner, Cassiopeia!” Not pretentious at all.
Amadeus
Ambrosia
Andromeda
Casimir
Cassiopeia
Cleopatra
Draco
Esmeray
Lazarus
Lysander
Mazikeen
Octavius
Perseophone
Valarian
Venus
Wednesday
Wolfgang
Zebedee
Names So Out They’re In Again
Names that were in their prime during the 1980s but then fell out of fashion have now become cool again! As we head into 2020s, these retro names are expected to make a comeback:
Billy
Blane
Carey
Chrissy
Dallas
Dustin
Eddie
Ferris
Hank
Heather
Jeanie
Johnny
Julie
Laurel
Marcie
Marty
Robin
Ren
Richie
Sandy
Sloane
Sonny
Suzie
Todd
Penny
Perry
Names with a bit of extra sparkle
Names that sound luxurious, glittering, radiant, and optimistic are expected to become popular during the 2020s.
Apollo
Atarah
Aura
Eos
Golden
Goldie
Glow
Halo
Helios
Lucien
Lux
Marigold
Ochre
Oriana
Orla
Royalty
Shine
Solana
Soleil
Sovereign
Sterling
Sunday
Sunshine
Zora
Names that work well internationally
In 2023/24, globetrotters are expected to name their children with names that work around the world. Short names that end in “i” have better prospects for international use—and they are also very cute.
Bibi
Esti
Ezri
Gigi
Indi
Kali
Kiki
Kiri
Leni
Lumi
Mimi
Mari
Mavi
Joni
Nori
Rafi
Ravi
Remi
Rumi
Suki
Tavi
Xavi
Yoli
Yuki
Zuri
Names with X
The trendiest letter is apparently X. Whether it’s at the beginning, middle, or end of a name, it’s expected to appear in many baby names in the future. It’s quite a challenge when playing the name game in the car, you know.
Ajax
Beaux
Bellatrix
Bronx
Calix
Dixie
Felix
Fox
Hendrix
Jinx
Moxie
Nixie
Nyx
Onyx
Pax
Pixie
Rex
Roux
Xenia
Xia
Xiomara
Names Inspired by Adjectives
The world of celebrities has undoubtedly introduced a new naming trend in recent years. Many have named their children after adjectives like True, Golden, and Powerful—which several others are now following. Here are the new adjective-inspired names expected to become popular in 2023/24. In Sweden, we might be a bit more modest, but I don’t expect any restraint in creative middle names. Erik Epic Svensson or Siri Sincere Strömfors, for example.
Brave
Bright
Celestial
Divine
Epic
Eternal
Glorious
Heavenly
Icy
Lovely
Loyal
Lucky
Majestic
Noble
Powerful
Savvy
Sincere
Stellar
Supreme
True
Valiant
Wavy
Wild
Winsome
Worthy
Zealous
Old-Fashioned Names for Girls
Here’s a category that I really appreciate. In fact, I like almost all of them. In 2020s, the perspective on naming our daughters is expanding. We’re not only choosing names inspired by grandmothers, but also by grandfathers!
Andie
Arlo
August
Billie
Bobbie
Clarke
Davie
Drew
Frankie
Gene
Georgie
Iggy
Ira
Jasper
Joey
Jude
Lenny
Lou
Max
Miller
Monroe
Murphy
Ozzie
Ray
Rudy
Scottie
Stevie
Teddy
Blue-Green Names
Isn’t it amazing how many names colors can have? Is the Swedish language lacking? Perhaps. Here’s a strong case for the affirmative. The colors blue and green serve as inspiration for a range of nature-sounding names (and most likely future Disney characters).
Azure
Bluebell
Blues
Caspian
Cerulean
Cielo
Cyan
Emerald
Fern
Forest
Halcyon
Indigo
Ivy
Lazuli
Lupine
Marina
Moss
Navy
Ocean
Rivers
Sage
Sapphire
Sky
Storm
Wave
For Those Who Can’t Decide: Mix-and-Match Names
If you have trouble choosing between two names, you can now create your own! According to Nameberry.com, we’ll be seeing a lot of mix-and-match names in the future, where parents combine their favorite names to come up with the most unique one. Inventive at its best! How about Emberly—quite a lovely ring to it!
Aylani
Aziel
Beauden
Bowyn
Braven
Cyaire
Ellowyn
Emberly
Foxton
Icelyn
Kailo
Kehlani
Khairi
Larose
Maebry
Novarae
Oakland
Rhyett
Winry
Wrenley
Woodson
Have you read this far? Congratulations, you’re just as much of a name enthusiast as we are! And if you’re not yet exhausted by names, you can find even more inspiration. We’ve gathered ours from: Nameberry.com, SCB, Skatteverket, Expressen, and magazine Mama.