Popular ‘meaningful’ baby names takeover for 2025 - with ‘manifesting’ inspired names taking top spots
With brand new year babies arriving by the minute, parents-to-be are opting for name choices that manifest positive vibes. 2025 baby name choices will also be rooted in culture and nature, too, with mums and dads looking to embrace hope, heritage and harmony with their naming choices.
2025 will be the year of imaginative, meaningful, and trend-setting baby names, predicts leading pregnancy and parenting website BabyCentre. Working with Baby Name Expert and celebrity baby name consultant, SJ Strum, BabyCentre forecasts that recent cultural influences, such as the Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year Manifest, a growing connection to nature, and the enchanting aesthetic of Castlecore fantasy, will be the powerful prompts to shape baby naming in the year ahead. The predictions follow the release of the Top 100 Baby Names of 2024, from BabyCentre UK.
MANIFEST
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Manifest was looked up almost 130,000 times on the Cambridge Dictionary website, making it one of the most-viewed words of 2024.
S J Strum understands why. “This optimistic and empowered movement is inspiring lots of amazing names. I see this trend growing and in 2025, parents will be picking names that bring this spirit of positive thinking, plus hope, dreams and visions of a wonderful future together for their baby in their name choices.“
Manifest-inspired girl’s names include Mila meaning Miracles, Arabelle meaning invokable, Ottilie meaning riches and Thea which means divine gift.
If you bundle of joy is a boy then choices include Ezra which means helper, Bodhi which means enlightenment and Felix simply meaning lucky.
NATURE’S RENAISSANCE
The movement to reintegrate natural elements into our lives is on the rise. Outdoor kitchens, garden rooms and pagodas are fuelling the desire to ‘be outside’. This movement is expected to continue into 2025 with online search terms like foraging and small homestead living also increasing in frequency.
Strum predicts: “This nature renaissance isn't just about returning to our roots; it's about planting new ones for the future too. Our commitment to sustainability and celebration of the beauty in the natural world means that nature-inspired names are flourishing. Keep an eye on other earthy classics names such as Cedar, meaning, grounded and strong, with a nod to majestic forests, and Rivera – combining nature and sophistication.”
Nature-inspired girl’s names include Margot meaning pearl, Willow representing a willow tree, Daisy as in flower, and olive like the tree. For boys Arlo means hill, Jaspar means precious stone and Stanley very randomly means stone clearing.
CASTLECORE
Pinterest has highlighted the rise in Castlecore, marking the medieval movement in Britain as a major aesthetic. The report forecasts that Gen Z and Millennials will take home décor inspiration from ancient castles, while fashion and accessories will be gothic-inspired. It’s a comeback of the highest order, and there’s no doubt that this influence will also feature in baby naming trends too.
“Castlecore-inspired names transport us to a world of chivalry and fantasy, allowing parents to weave a sense of wonder into their children’s identities,” Strum explains.
Names that are recognised for their strength, with a dark and dramatic vibe are already moving up the name charts. For girls, try Maeve meaning 'she who rules', Orlo for golden princess and Lyla for night beauty. Boys can go with Rory meaning red king, Albie for noble, Myles for solider and Chester for fortress.
Strum continues: “The romantic aesthetic of Castlecore, with its medieval-inspired charm and fairy-tale allure, is set to influence a wave of regal and whimsical baby names in the near-future. Other instinctive names yet to hit the top 100 include Eowyn (bravery and heroism) and Percival – Rich with Arthurian romance.”
