The Top Names We’re Watching for 2023
It’s that time of year when we can’t help but indulge in a spot of crystal ball-gazing here at Nameberry HQ.
We all have names we’d love to see get more use – as well as those we’d rather stayed well under the radar. (I may be done having kids, but Ivo and Vita are mine.)
But, personal preferences aside, which are the names we actually think are going to make serious gains in 2023? The rising stars we’d put our hard-earned money on?
I challenged my fellow editors to secretly nominate just a handful of names each… and the results are fascinating!
Names We Predict Will Rise in 2023
Our picks cover a range of styles, eras, genders and popularity levels, with only one duplicate – a testament to the sheer variety of the modern baby naming landscape.
From classics poised on the brink of a renaissance, to cool word names rising, to international favorites that look set to finally land on American shores… They’re a diverse bunch but all with irresistible appeal in 2023.
Read on for 23 of the Nameberry team’s top predictions to rise significantly in the year ahead, plus the reasoning behind them.
This post is adapted from a newsletter shared with our email subscribers in early October. Take a sneak peek at past editions and sign up for exclusive Nameberry content here!
1. Alden
"I’ve seen quite a few parents considering this handsome name lately – mostly for their sons, but it could easily work for a girl too. Alden feels charming, understated, old-school, a little bit woodsy." – Emma
2. Archie
"With the British royals in the spotlight so much this year, I can see Harry and Meghan’s son’s name crossing the Atlantic even more than it already has." – Clare
3. Billie
"Boyish nicknames for girls are hot in recent years, from Charlie to Frankie. This combined with recognition from the music sensation Billie Eilish will likely lead to Billie rising in the rankings in 2023." – Brynn
4. Breland
“Up-and-coming singer/songwriter/producer Breland could take this from one of the lesser-known -land names to one of the biggest members of this newly cool category.” – Emma
5. Celeste
“I’m a bit bummed because Celeste has always made my personal list, but parents are catching on to this chic celestial choice. Celeste is feminine without frills, a true classic (never outside of the Top 1000!), yet is distinctive compared to all the other hit girl names of the moment.” – Sophie
6. Cosmo
"Scarlett Johansson’s son was born too late in 2021 to make a big impact on the charts, but 2023 could be the year it really soars!" – Clare
7. Elio
"Already a favorite with the Berries, Elio is about to get a big shot of mainstream attention via the newest Disney-Pixar hero. With its cool O ending, liquid sound and international appeal, it checks so many style boxes and fits the recent Disney mold of choosing still-quirky names poised for greatness. I think it’s the next Arlo." – Emma
8. Everest
"Combine the trendy 'ever' sound with an adventurous, outdoorsy feel in tune with recent fast-risers Atlas and Wilder, and you get Everest. It feels like a natural successor to popular Everett, but with a cool twist." – Brynn
9. Halston
"We love Hal- names for girls, and Halston is the next Hailey/Hallie/Hadley. Halston appeals because it’s unisex, has a modern sound, and is straight out of the fashion world. That ticks a lot of boxes for many parents!" – Sophie
10. Jolene
"Jolene is experiencing a quiet renaissance but I’m expecting it to 'pop' sometime soon. Why now? In the past few years there’s been a big focus on Parton as a humanitarian figure. Plus, Jolene is retro and quirky and comes with a built-in lullaby." – Sophie
11. Linus
"Linus has such an impressive history beyond Peanuts: It's an early pope's name, and before that the name of the mythological inventor of rhythm and poetry. As namesakes go, it doesn't get any better than that." – Pam
12. Louise
"A stylish vintage name with a royal air – and the on-trend 'Lu' sound. I think this could be the new Claire for Americans (and equally perplexing to Brits, as both are considered 'mum names' here)." – Clare
13. Luxury
"Luxury was only given to 10 baby girls last year, but I have a feeling it will rise exponentially. We’ve seen many more babies (of both sexes) named Lux over the past few years, and Luxury is the obvious next step. I think it's just one celebrity baby away from being a massive hit." – Sophie
14. Marigold
"Juniper and Magnolia aren’t feeling as unique and bold as they once did, so parents seeking an offbeat nature name will be looking for something fresh. I have met two young Marigolds in the last year, as well as several dogs and cats. It may not be on the charts yet, but I expect it to be pretty soon." – Brynn
15. Noah (g)
"Until recently most parents wouldn’t have considered it for a girl, but based on how much it’s risen in the last two years, it feels like the secret’s out. It could even overtake Noa." – Clare
16. Omri
"I have seen Omri getting a lot of love on Nameberry lately, which has proven to be a good indicator! Omri is a fresh Biblical option that sports the soft sounds many parents are loving right now, and gives me similar vibes to names like Henry, Ezra, and Arlo." – Brynn
17. Romy
"Romy has such a rich sound, caramel sauce rich, that it makes me feel happy every time I hear it. It's nickname-y, like Remi, but it's also august, like Roman. Love." – Pam
18. Rose
"Rose has been a go-to middle name of the decade but I see it being used more and more as a first name. Scarlett Johansson used it a handful of years ago, then Pippa Middleton chose it earlier this year. I can see it reentering the US Top 100 for the first time since the early 1960s." – Pam
19. Sayer
"Sayer was originally an occupational name for someone who went around reciting poetry and news, before newspapers and universal education. Imagine the power! If you're considering naming your child Sawyer or Skyler, name them Sayer." – Pam
20. Sunday
"The influencer Labrant family have given all of their kids’ names a spike in numbers following their births: Everleigh, Posie, and most recently Zealand. I predict the name of their newest daughter born this past June, Sunday, will rise in 2023." – Brynn
21. Tru
"Tru is on a strong upwards trajectory for both lately and seems perfect for the moment! Part modern virtue, part vintage nickname, with a super streamlined look and sound." – Emma
22. Wilde
"Wild(e)card! An under-the-radar celebrity favorite right now, popping up here and there in various spellings (Wild, Wilde, Wylde). Wilde would be my prediction for the spelling that will win out – it has a surnamey edge to temper the wildness of the word, and serious literary cachet." – Emma
23. Yuna
"Yuna shares sounds with the ultra-popular Luna, yes, but much of its appeal lies in the fact that it’s a multicultural mini name. Yuna has roots in Japanese, Breton, Korean, Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian, and more. I’d put good money on Yuna cracking the Top 1000 in the US next year." – Sophie
Readers, what are the names *you’d* put money on to make big gains in 2023? Share them with us and your fellow Berries over on the Nameberry forums!