‘I’m a baby name expert – expect dark and moody names to be really popular this year’

A baby name expert has advised we could be seeing a shift toward dark and moody names this year, with shows such as Wednesday on Netflix influencing parents’ choices

We could be seeing a goth resurgence in playgrounds far and wide in the next few years, as names with a dark and moody vibe are expected to be especially popular this year. According to professional name consultant Steph, who regularly shares name inspiration with parents-to-be, ‘darker’ names will come to the forefront this year, inspired by hit TV shows such as Wednesday on Netflix.

Steph believes brooding names with a ‘mystical and mythological’ feel will prove to be strong favourites among new parents this year and has listed a few monikers you might be hearing in birth announcements in the very near future.

Taking to TikTok, where she goes by the username @nameswithsteph, Steph revealed: “Anything mystical and mythological has always been popular but we’re going to see even darker names like Argo, Draco, Knight, Raven, Salem, Zephyr, and Zelda.”

Her video has since been viewed more than 51.2K times and counting, and a number of followers were pleased to see this spooky trend emerging.

One name fan wrote: “Funny you said dark and moody! Currently pregnant if it’s a girl she will be Salem.”

Another mum commented: “I had my daughter Salem Gray in October! Everyone loves her name! I love it too.”

A third person enthused: “I would LOVE to see some dark and moody uncommon Hispanic names. I’m due in September!”

This isn’t the only trend name experts have predicted for the year ahead. Maximalist names, where ‘more is more’, are expected to rise in popularity according to experts at Nameberry, as ” parents react to, and rebel against, what has felt like a particularly intense and unsettling period in history.”

Maximalist monikers expected to pique interest include the likes of Morpheus, Oberon, Persephone, Valerian, Wolfgang, and Zebedee.

Parents are also set to return to rare vintage baby name lists for inspiration, with choices such as Winifred, Gloria, Rita, Luella, Nella, and Lavinia primed for a renaissance.

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