13 December 2023 , 13:30
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Choosing a moniker for a baby boy can be a tricky task, but it seems like mums are looking to Noughties heartthrobs as inspiration according to BabyCentre's latest data.
Y2K fashion is not the only thing back on trend. While we may be seeing a huge resurgence of Ugg boots, low-rise jeans, Juicy Couture, and crop tops, researchers at BabyCentre have also been eagled-eyed enough to notice names from the early 2000s are also trending.
This could perhaps be because mums are naming their bundles of joy after their favourite teen crushes. Surprisingly, it's only heartthrob names for boys that are spiking in the charts, as similar girls' names have remained stationary.
Names from films and TV posters that were on bedroom walls two decades ago are now adorning the top 2023 baby names list - and it's both actor and character names. Naming expert from BabyCentre Faye said: "Could it be that the teen crushes of 30-something women are finding their way onto the names lists now they're having babies?"
Jude (Law) rose to number 15 while his 2004 film character Alfie went up to number 16. One Tree Hill characters Lucas and Nathan both broke into the top 20 and top 40 respectively. Elijah (Wood) climbed to number 21, James (Marsden) went up to number 23 while Liam, a key character in Beverly Hills 90210, soared into the top 20.
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The same upsurge in names didn't translate to Y2K female icons, however, with Mena (Suvari), Carmen (Electra), Jesicca (Simpson and Alba), Shannon (Elizabeth), and Anna (Friel) staying stationary on the list of names.
Instead, baby girl names that are proving more popular in 2023 include Olivia, Amelia, Isla, Lily, and Ava. And despite the increase in Noughties names for boys, it's still a familiar set of names leading the way, including Muhammad, Noah, Theo, Leo, and Oliver.