Expert reveals the top baby name trends for 2018 – and the number one moniker for boys and girls

In 2017, baby name trends were heavily influenced by the royals, celebrities and ‘botanical’ themes.

And while some of these influences remain the same, there have been a number of new and emerging trends for 2018 and some names that have disappeared from the top 10 altogether.   

To find out more, FEMAIL spoke to leading Australian social researcher Mark McCrindle about the data so far, the top names for boys and girls and his key predictions ahead of the report’s official release. 

‘It’s early days but we do have enough data to get a sense of what is happening and it seems like the trend of conservative names is continuing,’ Mr McCrindle said. 

In 2017, baby name trends were heavily influenced by the royals, celebrities and 'botanical' themes

FEMAIL spoke to leading Australian social researcher, Mark McCrindle, about the data so far, the top names for boys and girls and his key predictions ahead of the report’s official release

MAIN MOVERS 

Mr McCrindle said there is not a huge difference in the top 10 compared to 2017 as the majority of the changes have occurred in the top 100.   

While the top name for girls remains Charlotte and for boys, Oliver, there are a few key differences in the girl and boy categories.

‘The name Henry has entered the top 10 for boys for the first time in a decade – it’s the Prince Harry effect as Henry is a variation of Harry,’ Mr McCrindle said. 

‘It’s a sign that we are really going back to the past with names in a lot of ways. It is the third top name in two states – the ACT and Tasmania.’ 

The names Henry and Zoe have made the top 10 lists for the first time (pictured are Henry Cavill and Zoe Saldana)

The names Henry and Zoe have made the top 10 lists for the first time (pictured are Henry Cavill and Zoe Saldana)

The names Henry and Zoe have made the top 10 lists for the first time (pictured are Henry Cavill and Zoe Saldana) 

On the other end of the spectrum, Lachlan has dropped off the list and Jack is ‘on the slide’. 

‘It’s called the “decade fade”. Name that were popular a decade ago fall off the list. For example Joshua was the top name a decade ago and now it’s not in the top 10,’ Mr McCrindle said. 

For girls, Zoe is in the top 10 for the first time in a long while. 

‘Zoe is another traditional name and its a refreshing name. It’s one of those names that ends in a vowel like Chloe and Ava and Isla and Mia and Olivia that people are loving,’ Mr McCrindle said.  

‘On the other hand, Emily has dropped out of the top 10 and is sliding further down.’   

CELEBRITY CAUTION 

Mr McCrindle said that while in 2017 it was popular to be inspired by a celebrity when naming a baby, this is no longer the case. 

‘It’s the whole Weinstein effect where people are now very cautious about the influence of celebrities – people aren’t using names of celebrities because they don’t know what the future holds for them and whether their influence will be positive for long,’ Mr McCrindle said.

The top girls’ names in 2017

1. Charlotte

2. Olivia

3. Mia

4. Ava

5. Amelia

6. Isla

7. Sophia/Sofia

8. Chloe

9. Grace

10. Emily  

The top boys’ names in 2017

1. Oliver

2. William 

3. Jack 

4. Noah

5. James

6. Thomas

7. Ethan

8. Lucas

9. Jackson/Jaxon/Jaxson

10. Lachlan 

ROYAL INFLUENCE 

As seen with the rise of Henry into the male category and Charlotte still topping the female category, the influence of the royals is stronger than ever. 

‘The royal names are traditional which people love and also scandal-free,’ Mr McCrindle said. 

‘The young royals are so popular and we know that the Duchess of Cambridge’s child will be a huge influence. 

‘Charlotte raised to number one, George is right up there and this baby will be big too.

‘Basically there’s a big rise in royalty and a decline of celebrity names.’ 

As seen with the rise of Henry into the male category and Charlotte still topping the female category, the influence of the royals is stronger than ever

As seen with the rise of Henry into the male category and Charlotte still topping the female category, the influence of the royals is stronger than ever

As seen with the rise of Henry into the male category and Charlotte still topping the female category, the influence of the royals is stronger than ever

RISE OF UNISEX NAMES 

‘Unisex names haven’t been big since the 70s and 80s when names like Peta and Riley were big,’ Mr McCrindle said. 

‘Now we are seeing a big resurgence.’

In the top 100 for girls are names like Charlie, Piper and Quinn and for boys, names including Jordan, Beau, Gabrielle, Darcy and Peyton. 

‘We are seeing this rise in creative naming more and more as parents aren’t as set on “boy” names versus “girl” names when making their decisions,’ he said. 

FAMILY THEMES 

Mr McCrindle said more parents than ever are ‘theming’ their kids’ names.

‘Just like the Kardashians, parents are using the same letter for their kids or will create a flow by ending them with the same vowel or sound – think Zoe, Mia, Ava or Ashley, Kylie and Heidi,’ Mr McCrindle said. 

‘Others we have seen include having a Z in every name to create a “brand” for the family.’

'Just like the Kardashians, parents are using the same letter for their kids or will create a flow by ending them with the same vowel or sound - think Zoe, Mia, Ava or Ashley, Kylie and Heidi,' Mr McCrindle said

‘Just like the Kardashians, parents are using the same letter for their kids or will create a flow by ending them with the same vowel or sound – think Zoe, Mia, Ava or Ashley, Kylie and Heidi,’ Mr McCrindle said

EXTINCTION AND REINVENTION 

Names re-entering the top 100 for girls include the likes of Thea, Quinn, Florence and Bonny and for boys, Sonny Vincent and Parker. 

‘We are seeing the resurgence of these older names a lot,’ Mr McCrindle said. 

‘On the same hand we have also seen those names deemed overly “trendy” in 2017 drop off completely like Braxton, Jett, Harley and Jesse.’ 

ANCESTRAL INFLUENCE 

Finally, Mr McCrindle said many people are choosing names inspired by elderly family members or family members from way back in the family tree. 

‘Names like Thomas, Jack and Alexander are making an appearance as well as Amelia and Ava,’ Mr McCrindle said. 

‘We also see names rising like Beryl and Pearl for girls, too.’             



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