Popular 2024 baby name is inspired by 'most powerful woman in history'

30 December 2023 , 14:16

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The sweet name represents a fascinating history (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images)

A baby name consultant has shared a very elegant girls' name that she believes is set to skyrocket in the year ahead, and it could be the perfect choice for your little future leader.

As name nerds will no doubt be aware, trends have a tendency to ebb and flow when it comes to baby naming, just as frequently as they do in the world of fashion. Choices that were deemed old-fashioned one year will be regarded as desirably vintage the next, and if you look closely enough, you can spot future favourites long before hearing them shouted across playgrounds up and down the country.

Now one expert has revealed the strong yet pretty moniker she believes many parents will be considering in 2024, and it's inspired by none other than 'the most powerful woman in history'.

According to baby name expert and YouTuber SJ Strum, parents in the UK will be seeing a 'quiet luxury trend' in 2024, with a number of timeless girls' names set to rise. Strum said: "We love a timeless, traditional name in the UK but modern parents want to move on to rarer choices as unique names still dominate what we're after and why there's such a boom in using a baby name consultant."

Names tipped for popularity in the UK include Delilah, Margot, Maeve, Nellie, Harlow, Indie, Ophelia, Nora, and Anastasia. There's also a cool yet historically significant name on the list - the ever-regal Cleo. According to Nameberry, Cleo - which means 'Glory' - is short for Cleopatra, ie 'one of the most powerful women in history'.

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Known for her great beauty, charm, and ability to form shrewd political alliances, Queen Cleopatra co-ruled ancient Egypt for nearly three decades, and remains one of the most enduring symbols of women's power to this day. Extraordinarily well-educated, intelligent, and fiercely ambitious, those with this namesake surely can't help but be inspired by the great pharaoh's legacy.

Cleo, which was previously given to both girls and boys reached its heights of popularity in the early decades of the twentieth century, during a time of widespread public fascination with all things Ancient Egypt. The 1922 discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb, as well as the wildly successful 1917 silent film starring Theda Bara helped ignite the craze further, popularising various now-forgotten Cleopatra diminutives such as Cleora and Cleola.

More recently, Friends alumnus David Schwimmer welcomed a daughter named Cleo in 2011, sparking renewed interest in this beautiful, and very meaningful, choice.

Julia Banim