Study: ‘Intelligent’ Baby Names Face Extinction—Is Yours Endangered?

Baby Name Trends Shift: Intelligence Out, Beauty and Strength In
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Choosing a baby name is a pivotal decision for parents, and new research reveals a cultural shift in naming trends. A study by The Economist, analyzing 400 million names from the UK and US over 143 years, found that names tied to intelligence (e.g., William, Ada) are declining, while those linked to beauty, strength, or elegance (e.g., Freya, Muhammad) are surging. Using AI, researchers identified associations for each name based on internet text.

Key Trends

• Intelligence-Linked Names: Once-popular choices like Matthew, Ryan, Lauren, and Rebecca have dropped in favor.
• Beauty and Strength: Over 55% of British boys now receive names tied to power (e.g., Muhammad, meaning “revered” or “leader”). For girls, 30% are given names like Willow or Freya, associated with natural beauty and Norse mythology.
• Wealth and Spirituality: Otto, Solomon, and Bodhi (linked to enlightenment) are rising, reflecting values like prosperity and inner peace.

Top 2023 Names and Meanings
Girls:

1. Olivia: Elegance, grace, creativity
2. Amelia: Strength, independence
3. Freya: Love, fertility (Norse goddess)
4. Willow: Resilience, natural beauty

Boys:

1. Muhammad: Prophet, respected
2. Oliver: Noble, adventurous
3. Leo: Leadership, courage
4. Theodore: Wise, noble

Pop Culture Influence
The “Barbenheimer” effect boosted names like Margot (up 681 places) and Cillian, inspired by Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer). Reality TV also plays a role, with Kardashian-inspired names like Reign and Stormi gaining traction over traditional royal names.

Newcomers to the Top 100

• Girls: Hazel (nature, vintage), Raya (radiant, regal)
• Boys: Jax (edgy, modern), Enzo (Italian strength)

Hyphenated names (e.g., Teddy-Blu) and unique picks like Nevaeh (“heaven” backward) reflect evolving preferences. Meanwhile, once-common names like Zoe and Oakley-Jack are now rare.

Conclusion
Parents increasingly prioritize traits like resilience, grace, and cultural significance over traditional markers of intellect. As trends evolve, names serve as a mirror to societal values—highlighting a growing appreciation for individuality and heritage.

Data Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS), The Economist.