by: Erin Dower
Baby name trends are always evolving. What names will be popular for babies born in 2015? Here are some of our guesses. And remember, you can always visit our Baby Name Hub for more baby name inspiration!
Piper
Sound the horns! Piper is on the rise, thanks in part to Piper Chapman, the main character (played by Taylor Schilling) in the hit Netflix dramedy Orange Is the New Black. Celebrities including Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Sarah Palin have children named Piper, and the name broke into the top 100 girl names of 2014 and will probably continue to climb.
Theo and Theodore
The Goldfinch — one of the best-selling novels of 2014 — featured a mesmerizing main character named Theo Decker. Also, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns put President Theodore Roosevelt in the spotlight in his 2014 PBS series, The Roosevelts. So you can expect the names Theodore, Theo, Ted, and Teddy, to see a bump in the coming years. Theodore means "gift of God" in Greek. Steven Spielberg and Roald Dahl have sons named Theo.
Hazel and Gus
The Fault in Our Stars — the best-selling novel and hit film about two sick teens who fall in love — has brought an air of modern romance to these old-fashioned names. Actress Julie Bowen named her son Gus in 2009. Power couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski named their daughter Hazel in 2014, and Julia Roberts chose the name for her daughter in 2004. Hazel was a popular choice at the turn of the 20th century and could be due for a comeback!
Fallon
Saturday Night Live alum Jimmy Fallon became the host of The Tonight Show in early 2014, and has produced best-selling books based on his comedy skit "Thank You Notes." His surname has strong Celtic roots, meaning "of a ruling family," and is an interesting pick for a boy's or girl's first name. Jimmy Fallon's own recent baby name picks — Winnie and Frances — could also become more popular thanks to his fame.
Mo'ne
With a 70 mile per hour fastball, Mo'ne Davis is proud to "throw like a girl." In 2014, at age 13, she became the first female pitcher to win a game in the Little League World Series. Soon after, she was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and starred in TV commercials. She has a biography due out in 2015. This phenom's first name could become a cool pick for all-star baby girls down the road.
Wyatt
Wyatt broke into the top 50 boys' names of 2014 with its Wild West appeal. Leave it to celebrities to break with tradition and put a new spin on a trendy name; Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher chose to name their baby girl Wyatt Isabelle in October 2014. They aren't the first stars to pick a gender-bending name. Jessica Simpson named her daughter Maxwell Drew in 2012. Could these typical boy names become popular picks for baby girls?
Robin
The loss of beloved actor Robin Williams and the rise of actress Robin Wright (2014 Golden Globe winner and 2015 nominee for her role in House of Cards) could help this nature-inspired name soar in the coming year. It's an English name that became somewhat popular in the U.S. in the 1960s and could be due for a comeback for both boys and girls, thanks to its classic simplicity.
André
Black-ish was one of the breakout shows of 2014, and André is the name of both the hilarious patriarch (who goes by the nickname "Dre") and the funny 13-year-old son. André has a French ring to it, but is actually Greek in origin, with a meaning of "valiant and courageous." It's an interesting alternative to Andrew and could climb baby name charts in the years to come.
Ariana
Ariana Grande went from Nickelodeon TV star to chart-topping musician in 2014, with hit singles like "Bang Bang" and "Break Free." Fittingly, her name means "like a beautiful melody" in Hebrew. Both Ariana and Arianna were in the top 100 girls' names of 2014, and they're sure to continue their hot streak in 2015.
Benedict
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch's career is on fire, fueled by roles in The Hobbit trilogy and the Sherlock TV series. He is slated to star in even more big productions in 2015, which will give his austere and interesting name even more exposure. While Benedict probably won't reach the top of baby name charts, the name is gaining some momentum as an alternative to Benjamin, and it is no longer just associated with Benedict Arnold, the famous traitor of the Revolutionary War. It means "blessed" in Latin.
Esmeralda and Esme
Swoon-worthy couple Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling named their baby Esmeralda in September 2014. The name means "emerald" in Spanish, and is the name of Quasimodo's love interest of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Esmeralda isn't likely to become a top pick for baby girls, but it will probably get a small boost from the Gosling baby buzz. Esme — a charming nickname for Esmeralda — is more likely to gain broader appeal.
