The most unique baby name trends of 2024

Would you name your baby after your dog—or your best friend’s dad? In 2024, parents are doing just that (and then some). From quirky nods to beloved pets to ethereal fairycore vibes, this year’s baby name trends are anything but ordinary.

With insights from baby name consultant Colleen Slagen (aka @namingbebe on TikTok), we’ve rounded up the most creative, unconventional, and downright memorable baby name trends making waves right now.

1. Dog-inspired baby names

Pet owners love their furry friends, and this affection is translating into baby names. Classic favorites are crossing over from pet tags to birth certificates. 

Rugged and untamed names like Bear, Banjo, and Blue, are super on-trend, says Slagen, especially in countries like Australia. Cooper, Maverick, and Duke are also making the rounds, with the latter two appearing in the top 100 list of baby boy names.

• Daisy
• Ruby
• Sadie
• Luna
• Leo
• Max
• Chloe
• Bear
• Banjo
• Cooper
• Maverick
• Duke

Colleen Slagen embraces this trend wholeheartedly, saying, “Dog names are in, ok? That’s a compliment now.” In an interview with TODAY, she goes on to add, “There are a lot of people who think that labeling something as a ‘dog name’ is an insult, a critique, or a reason that you shouldn’t use a name, and that doesn’t phase me at all.”

2. “My best friend’s dad” baby names

Boy names for girls are having a serious moment, and Colleen Slagen has coined this trend “My best friend’s dad.” Particularly, boy names that feel cutesy or casual like Charlie or Scottie.

Slagen goes on to say, “It’s the name of your neighbor who you can call at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning to come fix your oven.” Trending examples include:

• Billie
• Frankie
• Tommie with an i-e
• Mickie
• Andie
• Perrie
• Davie

This trend is a heartwarming way to honor personal connections, like friends or father figures. 

TikTok commenter @KSTeacher shared a sweet story: “My 86-year-old aunt is Davie Lee. She was named after the doctor who delivered her.

3. Fairycore baby names

The ethereal aesthetic of “fairycore” has taken over social media—and it’s influencing baby names, too. According to Slagen, “Fairycore is a nature-y niche within cottagecore.” Think delicate, light, ethereal. 

Slagen clarifies: “It’s not ‘What would you name your fairy?’ It’s ‘What would you name your child who plays with fairies?’” 

Here are some enchanting, fairycore-inspired picks:

• Clementine
• Juniper
• Tink
• Tallulah
• Marigold
• Flora
• Primrose
• Peridot (nicknames: Peri or Dot)
• Pixie
• Elowen
  

These names evoke magic, nature, and a sense of delicate beauty—perfect for parents who dream of woodland adventures.

4. ‘Globetrotter glam’ baby names

Location-inspired names continue to captivate parents, with adventurous picks that celebrate heritage, travel, and wanderlust. Inspired by names like Sadona (used by Whitney Lovett of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives) for her daughter, Slagen suggests these location-based options:

• Annecy (Anni)
• Cambria (Cam or Cami)
• Indiana (India)
• Dakota (Kota)
• Valencia (Cia or Valley)
• Banks
• Levi
• Hayes
• Camden
• Rhodes

Whether it’s a nod to a favorite place or simply the spirit of exploration, these names are meaningful and effortlessly cool.

5. Very demure, very respectful, very modest baby names

Inspired by the viral “very demure” TikTok trend, Slagen has curated a list of names that exude understated elegance and quiet charm.

• Priscilla: “She sees there’s only one Oreo left in the packet, so she doesn’t take it. Very demure.”
• Cecilia: “She pulls all her hair off the shower wall when she’s done. Very respectful.”
• Esther: “She has never been caught unmuted on a company Zoom call. Very demure.”
• Florence: “Closes the curtains before she starts her Peloton ride. Very modest.”

The bottom line

Whether your inspiration comes from your furry friend, your best friend’s dad, or a viral trend, your baby’s name is a story they’ll carry forever. So why not make it unforgettable?