Trendiest Untrendy Names

Updated Sat Nov 09 2024

Trendiest Untrendy Names

As we know, names fluctuate in popularity across time both as individual names, as well as part of broader trends.

Even unique names like Leonie, Fern, and Juno for girls, Emrys, Kit, and Boaz for boys — all outside of the US Top 1000 — feel particularly fashionable in the 2024 baby name world. They share particular sounds, elements, and overall vibes that fit right in with the top names of today.

However, not every parent wants to match the mainstream "baby name fashion trends", and some may prefer to avoid them altogether. If this sounds like you, you are likely looking for a bold, distinct, statement moniker for your little one.

We noticed this phenomenon — the rise of objectively "untrendy" names that do not fit the global name trends of today — as we analyzed the fastest-rising names outside of the Top 1000. These unique names, while only given to a few dozen babies each year in many cases, are seeing their own upward swings in small numbers.

You may love the clunky charm of our newly coined "Croc Names" — so uncool, that they become cool. Ursula and Enid, Merle and Seymour seem to fit the bill.

Other parents may be drawn to names that feel so extravagant and over-the-top that for centuries they have been labeled "unwearable". Think Araminta and Hyacinth, Lancelot and Archimedes.

Or you may gravitate to names tied so strongly to one particular culture that they were often passed over for more Americanized and streamlined choices. Ibadat and Fatumata are creeping up in use, as well as Ulrik and Phong.

Extravagant Names:

Extravagant names may get a bad rap for being "too much name" for a baby or child, but the right nickname can nix this problem completely. Archimedes can be Archie, Corinthia can be Cora, and Montague can be Monty.

Many of these rising extravagant names have come from the classical era, such as Ancient Roman Antonius and Artorius, Ancient Greek Isolde and Eudora. Parents are attracted to these names for their deep-rooted history and powerful aura — names fit for a king, queen, or Roman emperor.

Others are elongations or elaborations of more familiar names, such as Floriana and Aureliano, or rare feminizations of familiar boy names like Samuella and Maximiliana.

Distinctly International:

America has long been referred to as a "melting pot" — a country defined by the numerous cultural and ethnic groups that have sculpted American society as we know it. Nonetheless, racism, stigma, and xenophobia in the states has pushed generations of parents away from many of the traditional cultural names that might not fit American naming conventions.

In today's world, where the top of the charts include Spanish Santiago, Hawaiian Leilani, and Arabic Aaliyah, more and more parents are embracing distinctly international names that reflect and celebrate their family's cultural heritage.

We are seeing rising names with unfamiliar combinations of letters in the English language, such as Ndeye and Tzirel, as well as names previously deemed "unpronounceable" by a society unwilling to learn.

These are only a handful of the distinctly international names rising in the ranks right now, representing a widespread phenomenon that will continue to change baby naming as we know it.

Croc names:

In our recent predictions of the Top Baby Name Trends of 2025, we identified "croc names" as the next big thing. These names may be vintage, but they are not your typical sweet and demure Alice, Margot, and Olive that you probably have been seeing in your local preschools.

Croc names are clunky, retro, and go against modern naming conventions. Like the beloved shoe brand, they are so uncool that they are once again becoming cool. So "ugly" they become cute.

Beulah and Blanche, Rupert and Randolph will certainly stand out in a class roster. While not every parent is ready to embrace Croc names, the most forward-thinking will recognize their charm and true beauty.

Unexpected Nicknames:

Nicknames as full names are not anything new. At the top of charts you'll see Ellie, Lainey, and Millie, Leo, Charlie, and Theo.

But nicknames follow similar trends and conventions as their full-name counterparts. Many of the popular nickname names today were last in style roughly a century earlier. Surprising finds among the rising rare nickname names include Jacky and Sue, Bob and Gerry — nicknames that, following the 100-year-rule, should theoretically not be ready for a comeback yet.

Other unexpected fast risers include a new wave of boyish nicknames for girls, including Bertie, Martie, and Rudy, as well as feminine-leaning nicknames for boys like Jess, Josie, and Sandy.

There are a few on this list that, while they are rising in small numbers, we can't see making any sort of real comeback in the near future — Butch, Bucky, and Baby being prime examples.

But others, such as Francie and Mitzi, Hal and Arnie, feel perfectly quirky in 2024.

Which of these trendiest untrendy names do you think deserve to keep on climbing? Which rising names surprised you the most?

About the Author

Brynn McKeon

Brynn McKeon joined the Nameberry team in August of 2022 as an editor, and has written about topics such as the Ultimate Guide to Goddess Names and Quirky Nicknames for Classic Names. As Head Moderator, she also oversees our active Nameberry forums community.

Outside of Nameberry, Brynn lives in New Jersey with her dog Raven and cat Phoebe, where she works as an occupational therapist. You can reach her at brynn@nameberry.com

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