The new year is here… so let the baby name trends begin! 

Unless you’ve had a clear winner since you were cradling dolls at the ripe age of four, picking the right name for your child can be a difficult task. There are just so many factors to consider: a balance between tradition and originality, a name that both parents agree on, something that hasn’t been used by another family member or friend, amongst others.

The good news is, the more you research, the more ideas you’ll get! Here are the top baby name trends for 2018.

Girl names

1. Amelia

This beautiful, once extremely popular name, is set to make its comeback in 2018, possibly taking out a place in the top 5 most-used baby names. Amelia is a Teutonic name that means “defender”. A very dynamic, powerful and versatile name, Amelia is a bold and memorable choice while still maintaining its classic tone.

2. Aurora

Aurora has its origins in Latin, meaning “the mythical Roman goddess of the dawn”. Its popularity started a while ago thanks to Charles Perrault’s classic fairy tale and later Disney movie, “The Sleeping Beauty”. It is a gentle, short and spiritual baby girl name that’s set to break trend records in 2018.

3. Harper

Harper can be used for both boys and girls, however its popularity is steadily increasing amongst the female population. In fact, it was the USA’s most popular name of 2017. Of English origin, it means “harpist, minstrel”. It’s a melodical, strong, artistic and desirable name choice, perfect for the new expressive, free-spirited queen of the household.

4. Luna

Luna also has Latin roots, meaning “the moon”. According to Latin mythology, Luna is the name of the moon goddess. Luna also means “moon” in Spanish. This dreamy name has made it to the top of the charts, and it’s clear it will stay there throughout 2018, set to sit amongst the top 30. This beautiful name is also the pick of numerous celebrities - with John Legend and Chrissy Teigen picking it for their baby girl.

5. Hazel

Of Teutonic origin, Hazel can either mean “commander” or “from the hazelnut tree”. It is somewhat of an older name, but is currently making a glorious comeback. It’s soft and gentle, and its ties to nature make it quite attractive. It’s also a celebrity pick, with both Julia Roberts and Emily Blunt choosing it for their daughters.

6. Ellie

Of Greek origin, Ellie can be short for Ellen or Eleanor, and it means “shining light”. It started to become popular in the UK, and by 2011 it was already on the top 100 list of popular baby names. Warm and friendly, Ellie is here to stay in 2018.

Boy names

1. Major

Major is a Latin name meaning “greater, superior”, and also a military rank above Captain and below Colonel. It is a confident, strong name, but it also carries the significance of strong ideals. Traditionally most popular in the United States, it’s now reaching the charts worldwide.

2. Finn

This old Irish name has clearly not been forgotten. A derivative of Irish mythology’s greatest superhero, Finn MacCool (Fionn MacCuumhaill), who was a restless warrior dotted with supernatural powers, it embodies wisdom and generosity. Finn is not only popular in English-speaking countries, but also in Germany.

3. Kai

Kai is a strong and unique name, full of personality. Meaning different things in many tongues ("sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow tree" in Navajo and "food" in Maori) it’s remarkable how such a short name can carry so much weight. Its popularity is definitely on the rise, especially in Australia and Canada.

4. Leo

Leo is a latin name that means “lion”. In fact, it means “brave people” in German. Leo was quite a popular name amongst early Christians as it was the name of many Popes. Other famous Leos include writer Leo Tolstoy and actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

5. Silas

This uncommon Biblical name means “three” or “the third” and it was the name of a missionary companion of Paul and Timothy. Made popular by the English, its meaning according to the Greeks is “forest” or “woods”. It is a beautiful, hard-to-forget name which certainly makes a strong first impression.

6. Bentley

You may think this name comes from the popular English car – but it’s actually a very old English name that means “a clearing covered with bent grass”. It can be associated with a place, persistence and green meadows. Bentley has become quite popular over the past few years, and is set to take a place amongst the most-used names for boys in 2018.

Start brainstorming

Naming your baby is not as easy as it sounds. But you can be rest assured that in the end, you’ll find something that fits your new bundle of joy like a glove! In the meantime, we hope that these baby name trends shed some light and provide useful inspiration when it comes to choosing a name.  We'd love to hear your baby names! Leave a comment below ....