8 baby naming trends which will be big in 2018
For expectant parents, some of their Christmas period might have been taken up by debating baby names with extended family members over mince pies.
But for anyone who might need some new inspiration, the experts at Channel Mum have devised trends they think most people will be drawing from when they name their new babies in 2018.
According to baby name expert SJ Strum, parents are looking to the solar system, film villains, birds and Shakespeare when considering that all-important name.
Here are the eight trends which have been predicted:
1. Space-themed names
Maybe it was the recent supermoon that got them going, because space-themed names are expected to have a big spike in 2018.
This includes the likes of Luna, Stella and Nova for baby girls and Orion for a boy.
2. Gender-neutral names
This trend kicked off in 2017 but is set to continue into next year, including names like Robin and Noah.
3. Villainous names
It may come as a surprise that names of famous baddies and villains are increasingly being chosen as baby names. Most likely due to Margot Robbie's portrayal in 2016's Suicide Squad both Harley and Quinn are popular choices. The names Ronnie and Reggie - famously the names of the notorious gangsters, the Kray twins - have also risen in popularity, possibly thanks to Tom Hardy's portrayal of both twins in the 2015 film Legend. Kato was also the fastest trending baby name in the US last year.
4. Bird names
Wren is very popular right now, with both boys and girls being given the name. Phoenix, Paloma (which means dove) and Birdie are also increasingly popular suggestions.
5. Virtuous names
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's two-year-old Saint has paved the way for virtuous names, apparently. Felicity (which means good fortune and happiness) has also entered the top 100 for the first time.
6. Botanical names
Ferne and Basil have climbed up the rankings, according to Strum.
7. Names meaning wealthy or money
For girls, Ottilie and Elodie - which means 'riches' - have become more popular. For boys, there is Cash - which is apparently just outside of the top 1,000 - and Rafferty.
8. Shakespearian-inspired baby names
Names like Ophelia, Balthazar, Juno, Oberon and Hero (which ranks equally for boys and girls) have made a resurgence.
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