Parents-to-be have agonised over their baby’s name for centuries but never before has there been so much choice. If you’re choosing a baby name in 2023, your first conundrum may well be where to start. The diversity of names means whether you’re choosing a name for girl, boy, or looking for a gender neutral baby name, there are endless options.

We’ve searched out the rising naming trends and added a sumptuous list of potential baby names to inspire you.

Modern Hero Names

The last few years have shown us the true value of everyday heroes, so it’s no surprise the trend for names that inspire heroic values and qualities are on the rise. Strong, powerful and uplifting, modern hero names may be rooted in history, fact or fiction. Aurelia, Eleanor, Persephone, Myla. have a timeless quality while Neo, Harley, Ezra are popular modern twists from TV and movies.

The return of the Jazz Era

The 100 year rule suggests baby names return back into fashion means popular vintage in this decade are inspired by the roaring 1920s. Within this trend we see names from the Jazz Era add a hint of rebel to the vintage vibe. Names that conjure up that Jazz feeling of the 20s and 30s are Billie, Jesse, Evelyn, Louis, Albie, Margot, Mabel, Charles, Otis and Chester. Search back in the archive of early Jazz musicians and you'll discover some of the coolest names around. 

Back to nature

Nature inspired names continue to dominate the name charts.  Floral names for girls such as Lily, Rose, Daisy and Poppy consistently stay in the Top 20. New nature inspired names that all evoke the calm and beauty of the natural world include Wren, Rowan, Arlo, Violet, Eden, Willow and Iris. Alongside these earthly names there is also a trend to look up for your inspo. Nova (skies), Luna (moon), Nora (light), Lyra (the magical harp constellation) and Aurora (dawn) all have a heavenly quality and take their cue from the night skies.

Star quality names

Back down on earth, movie stars have long inspired trends in baby names and 2023 is likely to be no exception. With Peaky Blinders and Game of Thrones to thank for some of the coolest names in 2021 and 2022. Tommy, Arthur and Arya have all risen on popularity over the last few years, in 2023 we can look forward to new movie inspiration from releases including Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Disney’s remake of The Little Mermaid and a new Hunger Games prequel. Expect names such as Rocket, Drax, Rohan, Suki, Jake, Korra, Ariel, Loki, Eric and many more to inspire parents in 2023.

Celebrity Inspired

And finally, if you’re looking for some inspiration from the world of celebrity, where better to look than big name reveals of the babies born to celebs in 2022. With the Kardashian and friends inspiring a generation of babies with adjective names, Brave, True, Glorious, Heavenly and Stormi, who knows what trends the celebs that gave birth in 2022 will inspire. 

Here’s just a few…

Tanya Burr welcomed son Sage

Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma's daughter Royce

Ashley Greene and Paul Khoury welcomed Kingsley

Leona Lewis and Dennis Jauch's daughter Carmel

Shay Mitchell and Matte Babel's daughter Rome

Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger's daughter Eloise

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's daughter Malti

Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews's son Theodore

Ashley Graham and Justin Irvin's twin boys Malachi and Roman

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham's daughter Isabella

Whatever name you choose for your new arrival you’ll have to be patient to discover if your baby’s name is in the charts for 2023. The official UK statistics for babies born this year won’t be out until October 2024. But we think you’ll have your hands full in the meantime!