Abbott or Bobbie? These baby names may find favor among Texas parents in 2023
The turbulence of the past six years may influence what parents are going to name their babies in 2023, according to Nameberry.com.
“As in the 1920s and 60s, there’s a wish to leave everything from the ‘before’ times behind,” said Nameberry co-founder Pam Redmond. “In the 20s, it came after the flu epidemic, World War I, the Russian and Irish revolutions. In the 60s, it followed World War II and the conservative 1950s. At both junctures feminism was a force. Social mores loosened a lot.”
Baby names in 2023 will reflect the upheaval of the recent past — messy political seasons, a pandemic, culture wars and tribalism — showing a shift in mood, style and identity, according to Nameberry.com.
The website is devoted to sussing out baby names based on style, history and trends. It has put out lists of popular baby names since website founders Redmond and Linda Rosenkrantz published their 1988 book “Beyond Jennifer & Jason.”
Today’s parents are more likely to be more individualistic in their choices of baby names. Perhaps because of the divisions wrought by politics and the culture wars, they will tend to go for more tribalistic choices.
In Texas, this means monikers with ties closer to home.
“Texas-inspired names relate to notable cities, streets, and landmarks in the Lone Star State, along with famous people with connections to Texas, such as Erykah Badu and Selena Gomez,” according to Namebery.com Editor-in-Chief Sophie Kihmn. “Baby name trends for 2023 include neo-cowboy names like Rhett and Walker, blue-green names like Ivy and Ocean, x-tra names like Felix and Onyx, and gilded names like Goldie and Elio.”
Top baby names in Texas
This is a list curated by Nameberry.com in 2021.
Boys
Liam
Noah
Elijah
Mateo
Sebastian
Girls
Olivia
Emma
Camila
Isabella
Mia
Baby name trends will continue to evolve along with the mood of the people, Redmond said.
“There’s a sea change upon us. Exactly how that will play out over the next ten years in terms of which names are up, which down, is more difficult to predict than the overall feeling that things are going to change a lot,” she added.
10 baby name trends to look for in 2023
Maximalist names – Opulence, decadence and drama will be big for parents in the new year. This includes names like Amadeus and Andromeda.
Names so out, they’re in – Nameberry.com predicts that 2023 will see the start of a revival of 80s-inspired names, which means names such as Billy, Carey, Blane and Chrissy will find favor.
Gilded names – Among the gilded names Nameberry.com is watching are sun deities like Apollo and Helios, names meaning gold or light like Aurelia and Lux, and rich regal names like Atarah and Sovereign.
Neo-Cowboy names – Lately, life has increasingly felt more uncertain and parents are looking for names from themes of nature, rural living, and simpler times. Names in this category include Abbott, Boone and Briggs.
Traveling lite names – Cross-cultural choices that will find favor in the new year are fresh, funky and light – names that travel seamlessly between cultures without being tied strongly to any one in particular. This includes names like Bibi, Ezri, Indi and Kali.
X-tra names – Names with the letter X. This includes mythological heavyweights like Abraxas and Xerxes, pop culture picks like Bellatrix and Hendrix, quirky traditional names like Felix and Maxine.
Adjective names – Celebrities love this trend. Early adopter Nick Cannon has sons Moroccan, Golden and Legendary, as well as daughter Powerful.
Grandpa names for girls – According to Nameberry.com, these new old names feel sweet and in-step with the current fashion for all things retro and vintage, yet still a little edgy and subversive. Names include Andie, August and Bobbie.
Blue-Green names – The names Nameberry.com sees trending right now are drawn from nature. Deep green names like Forest, Emerald and Moss, as well as brighter blues like Lazuli and Cyan.
Mix and Match names – Name components Nameberry.com expects to see rising include Kai and Cy, Beau (or Bo) and Mae, Oak and Ice. And new “it” endings being watched include -aire, -ett, -iel, -lani, -land and -wyn.
