Latest from Goodto in Pregnancy

Like Netflix's Kaos? Check out these popular mythical names, baby Hercules has a cute ring to it

Adam England — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 07:06:44 +0000

Baby names inspired by ancient mythologies are becoming more popular according to research, often inspired by TV and film popularising historical characters further.

Naming your children can be tricky, with so many options out there – do you go back a few decades for a 1940s baby name, plump for one from the ‘80s, or even shake those off and go for a Taylor Swift-inspired baby name? Then there are Bluey-inspired baby names, too, so how do you choose just one?

At the risk of giving you even more food for thought, new research suggests that names from classic myths and legends could be undergoing a revival. The personalised number plate provider Regtransfers has looked at the baby names registered in the UK from 1996 to 2022, and found that names from ancient mythologies, including Greek, Norse, and Egyptian, have gradually increased in popularity.

Names like Leonidas, Odin, Osiris, Hera, Persephone and Juno were all essentially unheard of outside of mythology in the ‘90s and early ‘00s, but since then more babies have been given names along these lines.

Film and TV could be one factor in this rise in popularity. Take the Marvel Cinematic University, with characters like Thor, Loki and Odin. Meanwhile, Leonidas rose in popularity after 2007, when Gerard Butler played the Spartan leader in 300, while Achilles became more popular after Brad Pitt played the Greek hero three years before.

Other boys’ names to become more popular include Ares, the Greek god of war and courage, and Apollo, the god of archery, music, dance and light.

Among girls, Artemis – goddess of the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, nature, childbirth, and care of children – has risen in popularity as a name. Diana, her Roman counterpart, is also rising up the ranks - though this could in part also be down to the late princess.

Athena, the goddess of war, has become more common, as has Freya, the Norse goddess of love and beauty. And Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage and queen of the gods, has risen in popularity too, perhaps due to the 2008 movie starring Elliot Page as the titular character.

And after Maisie Williams began playing Arya Stark in Game of Thrones in 2011, an average of just 14 girls per year being given the name increased to an average of 275 each year afterwards, while an average of 232 boys have been given the name Jax every year since 2008, when Jax Teller, the main character in the US drama Sons of Anarchy, first appeared on our screens.

These mythological names might be a tad removed from the more traditional names you might have on your list, but if you like names with a nod to history, they’re well worth considering.

In more baby names news, why not look at names going in the opposite direction with the 100 least popular baby names that have fallen out of favour in the last 30 years? Take a look at the 20 epic moments that defined the past 20 years of baby names – from the birth of Emma in Friends to the fall of Karen . Meanwhile, girls with gender-neutral baby names are more likely to succeed in traditionally 'male-dominated' careers, research says – would you choose a unisex moniker?

Watch out for 'Jerry' and 'Judith' as 1940s baby names rise in popularity

Adam England — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 06:44:11 +0000

Some of the most popular baby names of the 1940s could be on their way back with parents today taking inspiration from the decade.

Choosing the right baby name isn’t always an easy task. Do you go for a unisex baby names, a beautifully-sounding baby name or a name that's a little more unique? The possibilities are (almost) endless.

If you’re stuck, why not follow the lead of some other new parents and take a look at some old-fashioned baby names, including ones that were most popular in the 1940s?

We tend to associate the ‘40s with World War II, as well as some iconic film, music, and literature. And many of the decade's biggest stars would influence the most popular baby names of the time, like Henry Fonda, James Stewart, and Betty Grable.

James in particular is one of those timeless names that will never truly fade out of popularity. Today reports that James was the most popular baby boy name of the 1940s in the US, according to the Social Security Administration's database. And, it was still in the top five in 2023, coming in at number four.

And, William – fourth in the ‘40s – remains in the top ten at tenth place eighty years later. Henry, meanwhile, has increased in popularity, jumping from 37th to eighth.

Not every name from the ‘40s has returned to popularity, however. Ronald, which was at the peak of its popularity in 1943, according to BabyCenter, only just cracks the top 1,000 baby names in 2024, at 961, for example.

And, interestingly, it tends to be male baby names from the ‘40s that are coming back, or have remained popular. None of the top ten baby girl names from last year were in the top 40, even, in the 1940s.

So, if you’d like to help set one of the latest baby name trends, why not opt for a 1940s name? We might see some more little Jerrys and Judiths running around the playground in a few years’ time.

Most popular girls names in the 1940s

James
Robert
John
William
Richard
David
Charles
Thomas
Michael
Ronald
Larry
Donald
Joseph
Gary
George
Kenneth
Paul
Edward
Jerry
Dennis
Frank
Daniel
Raymond
Roger
Stephen
Gerald
Walter
Harold
Steven
Douglas
Lawrence
Terry
Wayne
Arthur
Jack
Carl
Henry
Willie
Bruce
Joe

If you’re on the hunt for the right baby name, why not take a look at our baby name generator, or try out this Tinder for baby names app? Or, take a look at these gender-neutral baby names or even the highest-earning baby names.

'My husband's battle to be a dad' - couple share their long journey to parenthood (and how he's now helping others)

Veronique Hawksworth — Thu, 30 May 2024 13:04:54 +0000

This feature was originally published in April 2024 in Woman’s Own magazine, which is also owned by Future Publishing.

Faced with a rare condition, Jenna Greenaway’s husband had to battle to become a dad. She tells us her story...

"When trying to start a family, infertility is a frightening prospect. So often, it’s considered to be a ‘woman’s issue’- and with a seemingly endless list of factors affecting women’s reproductive systems from hormones to ovarian cysts, it’s an understandable assumption. But when my husband Shaun and I had trouble conceiving, we discovered that in our case, those assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth.

"I met Shaun, then 26, at policing school in 2008. In the same class, we found ourselves in a tight-knit group of friends, and it wasn’t until we left the following year that we confessed our feelings and started a relationship. Married in 2013, we were in no rush to have children, our free time outside of our police careers taken up with travelling, going to gigs, snowboarding and cycling. I loved being the fun auntie to my sister’s children, happy to just enjoy our newly-married life. But four years on, we finally felt ready to start a family of our own.

"In 2017, it felt like everyone around us was having children. But after months of trying, we still weren’t getting any closer to becoming parents. Almost a year into trying in December 2017, we decided to go to our GP for fertility tests. Shaun already had a sneaking suspicion that our fertility problems were down to him - he’d suffered from mumps just after finishing university in his early 20s, and had heard that it can impact men’s ability to have children. Sure enough, my tests came back clear and after weeks of waiting, in January 2018 Shaun was finally called by his GP receptionist while at work and given a diagnosis of azoospermia. It was only when Shaun got home and started googling azoospermia that the seriousness of the diagnosis dawned on us - he had no sperm whatsoever.

"At first, I was shocked. Azoospermia wasn’t a condition either of us had ever heard of, an issue we didn’t even know was a possibility. Shaun was devastated, and even said he would understand if I wanted to leave him for someone else. I told him to stop being ridiculous, that I loved him, and we’d find a way through. But inside, I was full of questions and worries. I’d watched all my friends and siblings conceive and start their families happily. Why couldn’t we have what they all had?

I’d watched all my friends and siblings conceive and start their families happily. Why couldn’t we have what they all had?

"Still, we didn’t completely lose hope. Shaun’s doctors explained that there were further tests that could be done to determine the cause of his azoospermia, and possibly even increase his sperm production.

"In March 2019, Shaun underwent a varicocele embolisation in an attempt to restrict blood flow to his testes and help him produce sperm. As testes need to be around two degrees cooler than body temperature for sperm production, the hope was that less blood flow to the area would lower the temperature. The procedure involved inserting a coil into his groin to restrict his veins, accessed via an artery in his neck.

"Despite being told the procedure only had a 30% chance of success, we pinned all our hopes on it. After a nervous three-month wait to discover if the embolisation had worked, we got the news we were dreading - it was unsuccessful. In the weeks following, seeing mums pushing their prams in town would make me feel numb. But as tough as it was, I never blamed Shaun or resented him, I just felt incredible sympathy. Hiding each visit to the clinic behind dentist's appointments, he couldn’t bring himself to tell his friends at work. I hated that he felt embarrassed and ashamed.

"Shaun decided to try one last procedure in August 2019, a Microscopic Testicular Sperm Extraction, or MicroTESE. The painful operation involved a urologist examining the inside of Shaun’s testicles under a microscope. Sadly, after two hours under the knife, still no sperm could be found. Even though I was upset, this time, I’d already anticipated the outcome. Shaun and I had discussed using donor sperm to conceive well before he went for the MicroTESE, and it looked like now, that was our only option aside from adoption.

"I offered to use donor eggs instead of my own, to make it more fair on Shaun. From conversations we’d had, I knew that his inability to pass on his genetics was a source of grief and I wanted him to feel as though we were in this together. But Shaun insisted that we should use my healthy eggs with the donor sperm, so that our children would still be genetically related to me.

"The first big step was to choose a suitable sperm donor. We wanted someone with similar traits to both of us, but decided not to find out many details about our potential donor. Beyond his physical features, we didn’t want to have any preconceived ideas about our future children’s personalities. After narrowing down our search to six people we chose a donor, and in December 2019, I underwent the egg retrieval process. Held up by COVID-19 lockdowns, I finally had two healthy embryos implanted into my uterus in May 2020. That July, we discovered the embryo transfer had been a success, I was pregnant. But even though we felt excited, it was too early to shout about my pregnancy from the rooftops.

We discovered the embryo transfer had been a success, I was pregnant. But even though we felt excited, it was too early to shout about my pregnancy from the rooftops.

"At my scan in August, we got to see our two healthy babies growing inside me for the first time. Finally being pregnant after all our heartbreak was surreal. In the meantime, Shaun read self-help books and listened to podcasts to help him better come to terms with his infertility. As my pregnancy progressed, Shaun finally decided to share our journey with those outside our immediate family. Discovering his work friends responded sympathetically, I was relieved, and sensed a weight had been lifted from him.

"As our due date crept up, Shaun worked with the charity Fertility Matters at Work, and started a social media support group called Knackered Knackers to share his experiences. Knowing how isolating an infertility diagnosis can be for men, Shaun didn’t want others like him to have nowhere to turn. Not only did his friends think it was a brilliant idea, but Shaun connected with other men with azoospermia, too.

"In February 2021, our twins Ray and Evelyn were born. After such a long journey, holding our two precious children was a priceless feeling. Immediately, Shaun had the most incredible bond with the babies. Now, the twins are three, and thriving. For us, genetics aren’t important. Shaun was meant to be their dad, and the twins were born to be his children and the bond he has with them makes biology irrelevant. When the twins are older, we’ll be honest about where they came from, and hopefully it will show them just how wanted and loved they are.

Comment from Shaun:

"When I was diagnosed as infertile, my whole world turned upside down. I questioned my identity as a man, and my position as a husband. Who was I if I couldn't provide sperm? I felt alone and went inward for a long time - not just weeks, but months. Over time I came to realise that of course I was still a man, and I found new depths of strength and resilience. I could not have navigated infertility without the sensitive, patient and compassionate support of my wife. I have now leveraged that painful experience and provide support to other men who are experiencing the same."

A post shared by ExSeed Health | Male Fertility Experts
A photo posted by exseedhealth on

For support and more information about Shaun’s journey follow him on Instagram @knackered_knackers or visit his website The Male Fertility Coach.

For more advice on how to boost fertility, read our advice on the 10 most Googled questions about getting pregnant, plus what to eat to when you're trying to get pregnant.

Would you 'buy' your own grandchildren? With egg freezing on the rise, many parents are footing their children’s fertility bills…

Cher Heasmer — Wed, 29 May 2024 14:29:23 +0000

As a mother, it could be argued that it’s only natural to fantasise about grandchildren when our own children have grown and flown the nest. We imagine doing all of those things again that we miss from raising our own children - picnics in the park and collecting acorns and pinecones on autumn walks. But the best part, some might say, is that we get to be fun granny and grandad - not the ones disciplining or dealing with the sleepless nights.

We get all of the best bits and none of the stress! But with the average age of mothers increasing from 26 in the 1970s, to 31 today (according to the ONS), many women are left wondering if they will ever become grandmothers - especially when their daughters reach 35 - an age when fertility begins its decline. However, that gentle sound of the ticking biological clock that only gets louder with age could become a thing of the past as more and more women in the UK are hoping to preserve their fertility by freezing their eggs.

Latest figures show egg and embryo freezing are the fastest growing fertility treatments in the UK, rising 64%, from 2,576 cycles in 2019 to 4215 in 2021. But future proofing motherhood comes at a price and with costs starting anywhere from £2500, treatment is often inaccessible. Small wonder then that future grandparents are choosing to invest in their daughters fertility, footing the bill themselves rather than risk a life without grandchildren...

(Image credit: Getty Images)

One woman tells us why she chose to pay for her daughter to freeze her eggs in the hopes of one day having a grandchild…

Shirley*, 58, lives in South London with her husband, Dominic*, 61.

As my daughter Eleanor*, then 35, sat at the kitchen table opposite me, sobbing, I put my hand out to reach hers and gave it a squeeze. ‘You’ll get over this, I promise,’ I told her. It was late 2022 and Eleanor had just announced that she and her partner of three years had split up and understandably, she was heartbroken. They’d grown apart, she said, and though it had been a mutual decision, it wasn’t an easy one. But while Eleanor worried if she’d ever find love again, I had other concerns. I hated myself for thinking it, but I was gutted that I was now even further away from becoming a grandmother.

That may sound selfish, but I’ve been longing for a grandchild for the best part of a decade. Eleanor’s younger sister, Sophie*, then 33, had announced years earlier that she had no desire to be a mother, and while me and my husband Dominic were disappointed, we respected her decision. Eleanor, on the other hand, longed to be a mother and she and I would often fantasise together about how lovely it would be to take her future children on days out to the zoo, and to spoil them with ice cream on sunny beach days.

And now, as she sat in the kitchen, dabbing her eyes with a tissue, I knew, deep down, she was probably having some of the same thoughts as me. The fact was, at 35, her biological clock was now ticking. Suddenly, before I could stop myself, I blurted it out. ‘Why don’t you freeze your eggs?’

I hated myself for thinking it, but I was gutted that I was now even further away from becoming a grandmother

Eleanor looked at me and frowned. ‘Do you have any idea how much it costs?’ she replied. To my surprise, she’d actually already looked into it, and had discovered it wasn’t available on the NHS.

It cost around £3,500 for the egg collection and freezing, but that didn’t include the cost of consultations, medication and the cost to store the eggs each year. It was a lot of money and Eleanor, who worked as a primary school teacher, couldn’t afford it.

‘Your dad and I will pay for it,’ I offered. I didn’t even need to think about it. Dominic* and I both worked, him as an engineer and me as a bookkeeper. We had savings and while it was a lot of money, it would be money well spent if it would help us get the grandchild we longed for. And of course, if it helped Eleanor become a mother in the future, and took the pressure of time off of her, then of course it was worth it. When I spoke to Dominic later that night, he agreed with me. ‘We’d be investing in a grandchild,’ I told him. After a lot of thought, Eleonor agreed to accept our help.

So she booked an initial consultation with a fertility clinic in early 2023 and began taking medication to help stimulate egg growth. I went with her to her appointments, and we were told the best age to freeze eggs is between 27 and 34, but although she was 35, her egg quality was still good. Ten of her eggs were harvested and then frozen and would be kept in storage until Eleonor needed them.

Friends often gasp when we tell them how much money we’ve spent , but investing in our daughter’s future, and hopefully giving her the chance to be a mother, and us grandparents, is priceless.

It has cost us £4,300, plus we pay a yearly fee of £250 for the eggs to remain in storage. Eleanor is so appreciative and often tells me how grateful she is not to have that ticking fertility clock over her head.

She’s 36 now and still single. When the time is right for her and she meets someone she wants a family with, if she doesn’t fall pregnant naturally, at least she has her eggs on ice ready to help her out with fertility treatment - it’s like a security blanket. Friends often gasp when we tell them how much money we’ve spent , but investing in our daughter’s future, and hopefully giving her the chance to be a mother, and us grandparents, is priceless.

*All names have been changed

When is the right time to freeze your eggs?

Alison Campbell, Chief Scientific Officer, for fertility group, Care Fertility, told us, ‘Egg freezing is far more accessible and successful than it used to be. Ideally, at least by the age of 30, we would advise women to be thinking about their fertility choices, and to consider egg freezing if they want a family at some time but are not ready right now. The sooner the better is best as egg quality declines dramatically as women age. The law now permits women to store eggs (or sperm or embryos) for use in treatment for up to a maximum of 55 years. Storage consent must be renewed every 10 years. Learn all you can about your clinic, the team, costs of treatment, how to prepare and the treatment process by attending a fertility information event and reading patient stories as it can really help’

The top 80s baby names not even remotely similar to the 'top baby names' of today - Olivia we're looking at you

Adam England — Sun, 19 May 2024 07:35:41 +0000

The list of most popular baby names four decades ago has almost nothing in common with the most popular names today.

Baby names often fall in and out of popularity in cycles. While there will always be unique baby names, some of the names that used to be popular have fast fallen out of fashion – bird-inspired names could be popular this year, instead!

And, when we look at the most popular baby names of 1980 and compare them to the biggest names today, it becomes apparent just how different things are.

Last month, after the Alberta government in Canada released a list of the baby names given last year, CBC Calgary compared them to the most popular 1980s monikers – and there aren’t a whole lot of similarities.

Olivia was the most common name for newborn girls in the province last year, with 210 girls being given the name. In comparison, just 11 girls had the name Olivia in 1980. It’s a similar story with second-placed Amelia, too, with 2023 having 145 Amelias compared to 1980’s six. And, no babies in 1980 were named Isla or Violet, while 120 and 101 babies born in 2023 were given these respective names.

On the other side of the coin, however, a whopping 705 babies were called Jennifer in 1980, compared to just nine last year. There were 551 Amandas in 1980, but just 14 in 2023.

As author Jonah Berger told the National Post, a name that becomes too popular can lose its appeal: “Parents don’t want something that sounds exactly like every other name. If they have 10 friends who have named their kids Jennifer, they’re not going to pick the name Jennifer.”

Perhaps, if Olivia and Amelia fall out of fashion in a few years, names like Jennifer and Amanda could gradually begin to become more popular – particularly as the previous generation with these names become grandparents.

Top girl names of 1980, and how many there were that year versus last year:

Jennifer 705 then; 9 last year
Amanda 551; 14
Melissa 316; 15
Lisa 290; 6
Sarah 284; 46
Michelle 281; 8
Nicole 252; 18
Erin 249; 2
Angela 215; 5
Heather 191; 2

The top baby girl names of last year, compared to 1980

Olivia 210; 11
Amelia 145; 6
Sophia 138; 6
Charlotte 135; 12
Emma 133; 9
Isla 120; 0
Evelyn 114; 5
Chloe 101; 1
Violet 101; 0
Ava 99; 3
Emily 99; 44

Top boy names of 1980, and how many there were that year versus last year:

Michael 732 then; 71 last year
Christopher 633; 17
David 537; 77
Jason 526; 23
Ryan 511; 63
Robert 363; 22
James 360; 136
Matthew 336; 65
Daniel 311; 111
Kevin 305; 17

The top baby boy names of last year, compared to 1980

Noah 276 last year, 3 back then
Liam 181; 8
Oliver 178; 8
Theodore 173; 7
Jack 153; 7
Henry 146; 12
Lucas 140; 21
Benjamin 137; 130
James 136; 360
William 133; 163

Trying to find the right baby name? Take a look at our baby name generator, or try out this Tinder for baby names app. Why not sift through these Bluey baby names, or some Taylor Swift-inspired names?

30 Bluey baby names: Would you name your little one Calypso, Honey or Coco?

Ellie Hutchings — Sat, 27 Apr 2024 07:00:00 +0000

These Bluey baby names for boys and girls are unusual choices, but could be perfect for fans of the children's cartoon.

Since first airing in 2018, kid's cartoon Bluey has become a worldwide phenomenon. But the popular show isn't just for kids - one of the reasons why Bluey is so popular is its appeal to parents too - and this has only become more evident following the recent season three finale, which had mums and dads everywhere panicking that Bluey is ending for good (but don't worry, the creators have confirmed there's more to come).

But outside of the Heelers' impressive parenting example, have you considered looking to the family and their friends for baby name inspiration? The show's characters certainly make for some unusual baby name choices, but it's not uncommon for parents to name their children after popular TV shows and movies. Here are 25 Bluey baby names for parents to be...

25 Bluey baby names

Bluey – A Blue Heeler puppy and the titular character
Bingo – Bluey’s younger sister
Bentley – A schoolfriend of Bingo
Bandit – Bluey and Bingo’s father
Brandy – Bluey and Bingo's maternal aunt
Buddy – Another one of Bingo’s school friends
Calypso – Bluey’s school teacher
Chilli – Bluey and Bingo’s mum
Chucky – The Heeler's next-door neighbour
Coco – A family friend and cute pink poodle
Doreen – A friendly neighbour
Dougie – Bingo's friend who uses sign language
Frisky – Chilli’s best friend
Honey – Bingo’s friend from school
Indy – Another friend of Bluey and Bingo
Jack – A Jack Russell terrier who is new in Bluey's class
Janelle – Chucky and Lucky’s mum
Jean-Luc – A labrador friend Bluey makes while on holiday
Judo – Another next-door neighbour
Lila – Bingo's friend
Lucky – Chucky’s older brother
Mackenzie – Bluey's close friend
Missy – Another school friend of Bingo’s
Muffin – Bluey and Bingo’s cousin
Rocko – Bandit's best friend
Rusty – A friend of Bluey and Bingo
Stripe – Bluey and Bingo’s paternal uncle
Trixie – Bluey and Bingo’s paternal aunt
Wendy – A next-door neighbour to the Heelers
Winton – Bluey's friend from school

For more TV-inspired baby names, we've rounded up 33 Bridgerton baby names, a collection of Top Boy baby names and 104 Disney baby names too.

100 least popular baby names that have fallen out of favour in the last 30 years - is your name on the list?

Ellie Hutchings — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 08:01:00 +0000

Sorry Bill, Kirsty and Nicole - these names may have been popular in the past but they've fallen out of favour in recent decades, according to research.

Baby names come in and out of fashion, and it can be hard for parents to keep up with the latest trends. Because while you might expect the most unpopular baby names to be a combination of unique baby names or old fashioned baby names, you might be surprised by how familiar some of the least-used names are.

Language learning software Babbel has shown this, after looking at baby name records from the Office of National Statistics. The researchers analysed all the baby names recorded between 1914 and 1994 in the UK to compile a list of names that were previously in the ONS top 100 most popular baby names - but haven’t made the cut since '94.

The list is split into 50 boys' names and 50 girls' names, and some of the monikers that appeared might surprise you. It turns out that Bill, Iain and Stuart have all fallen out of favour for boys, while Kirsty, Lesley and Nicole have all fallen in popularity for girls.

However, if any of these options take your fancy, they might make a great choice if you're on the hunt for a name that will stand out on the class register...

100 least popular baby names

Boys' names

Arlyn
Ashton
Barry
Bill
Cecil
Chad
Clarence
Claude
Clifford
Corby
Cyril
Dale
Dariyan
Donald
Drake
Duran
Elison
Esteban
Finch
Gary
Glenn
Gordon
Graham
Horace
Howard
Huxon
Iain
Jeffrey
Joules
Keith
Kielan
Kobe
Leigh
Leslie
Melvyn
Neville
Neymar
Nigel
Norman
Quinten
Rodney
Royston
Stewart
Stuart
Trevor
Turner
Tyde
Uri
Yuri
Zekiel

Girls' names

Aerith
Alexa
Angela
Annette
Andrea
Ashley
Bertha
Beryl
Beverly
Bloom
Carol
Cheryl
Dawn
Delphina
Doreen
Edna
Freda
Gail
Gillian
Gladys
Hilary
Hilda
Janice
Jill
Julianne
Kay
Kerry
Kirsty
Kristen
Kyomi
Lesley
Lindsey
Lorraine
Lynne
Mandy
Marlene
Maureen
Muriel
Nicole
Norma
Nyala
Phyllis
Shelia
Shirley
Tasmin
Thelma
Toni
Tracey
Vinisha
Yvonne

If you're still searching for that perfect baby name, why not give our baby name generator a whirl or this Tinder for baby names app? You can also find inspiration in the oddest of places, from country music to these priceless millionaire baby names!

Scientists say pregnancy can make you age faster - and it could add up to three months to your biological age

Ellie Hutchings — Sat, 13 Apr 2024 10:00:00 +0000

A new study has found that pregnancy speeds up biological ageing in women, but fathers are unaffected.

While expecting a child is a magical time for many, the early signs of pregnancy can take a toll on the body. From pregnancy cravings to morning sickness, there are some aspects that can make pregnancy an uncomfortable experience.

And now, new research has shown that pregnancy may also speed up biological ageing in women. The news comes after a study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, which looked at the reproductive histories and DNA samples from 1,735 people in the Philippines to investigate how pregnancy affects ageing for both men and women.

The study involving 825 young women found that each individual pregnancy a woman reported was linked with an additional two to three months of biological ageing. In addition, women who had been pregnant more often looked biologically older than those who reported fewer pregnancies.

This relationship between pregnancy and biological ageing was still evident when socioeconomic status, smoking, genetic variation and the built environment were accounted for.

The research is the first to follow the same women through time, linking changes in each woman’s pregnancy number to changes in her biological age.

However, no link was found between biological ageing and the number of pregnancies fathered by 910 men from the same survey. This suggests that it is something about pregnancy or breastfeeding specifically that accelerates biological ageing. The researchers theorised that the acceleration in biological ageing primarily occurs because of the physical toll pregnancy can take on the body.

Calen Ryan, the lead author of the study and an associate research scientist at the Columbia Aging Center, said: "Our findings suggest that pregnancy speeds up biological ageing, and that these effects are apparent in young, high-fertility women. Our results are also the first to follow the same women through time, linking changes in each woman’s pregnancy number to changes in her biological age."

However, he added that it is important to take context into account when looking at the findings, saying, "Many of the reported pregnancies in our baseline measure occurred during late adolescence, when women are still growing. We expect this kind of pregnancy to be particularly challenging for a growing mother, especially if her access to healthcare, resources or other forms of support is limited."

Calen emphasised that we still have a lot to learn about the role of pregnancy in the ageing process, and it is not known exactly how this accelerated biological ageing will impact health or mortality later in life.

In related features, we find out the real reason why more boys are born than girls, and we've rounded up 10 of the best maternity bras. Elsewhere, check out this easy-to-use ovulation calculator.

20 epic moments that defined the past 20 years of baby names - from the birth of Emma in Friends to the fall of Karen

Ellie Hutchings — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 09:22:47 +0000

Pop culture can have a huge impact on baby name trends - here's a round-up of some of the most influential moments from the past 20 years.

The most popular baby names and the top trending baby names come and go as fashion changes. For example, parents might be on the hunt for spring baby names at this time of year, but come December it'll be Christmas baby names that see a boost.

Over the last two decades, parents' taste in baby names have changed a lot - and now data has revealed exactly what influenced the coming and going of trends. In honour of BabyCenter’s 20th anniversary since it started reporting on name popularity, the parenting platform has analysed data to come up with 20 moments that defined baby names in the last 20 years.

20 moments that defined baby name trends from 2004-2024:

Friends brought Emma into the spotlight: When characters Rachel and Ross brought their baby Emma into the show, the name skyrocketed in popularity. Just like the show’s staying power, the name has remained in the top names for 20 years now, currently ranked number four with BabyCenter parents.
Goodbye Karen: A name that was very popular in the ‘50s and ‘60s, Karen was the brunt of comedic routines from comedians like Dane Cook in 2005, and later became an infamous symbol online for racial harassment in 2020. The name dropped steadily from number 164 in 2005 to number 824 in 2020. It currently ranks number 2,125.
Jaden Smith reignites a trend: Original 2000s nepo baby Jaden Smith made his acting debut in The Pursuit of Happyness with his dad Will Smith in 2006. The younger Smith's moment in the spotlight gave Jaden, a name that had been dropping, a boost in popularity.
The Obamas make history: In November 2008, the Obamas became one of the youngest first families in U.S. history. Their daughters Malia and Sasha, who were 11 and 8 when they moved into the White House, piqued the interest of the nation – and their names piqued the interest of BabyCenter parents.
Parents fall in love with Twilight: While teens were taking sides on Team Edward or Team Jacob, BabyCenter parents decided they were Team Bella. After the Twilight movie came out in 2008, Isabella claimed the honour as the number one girls' name of the year in 2009, and Bella made it into the top 100 names for the first time.

(Image credit: Alamy)

Teen moms leave their mark: When 16 and Pregnant first aired on MTV in 2009, it was a (controversial) hit. Not only did fans love these teen moms' realness – they also loved their babies' names: Sophia, Bentley, Jace, Aubree, Aliannah, and Aleeah.
Sarah Palin's stardom: Sarah Palin may have lost her bid for vice president in 2008, but as far as stardom goes, she was just getting started. Her daughters especially captured the imagination of BabyCenter parents – the names, Bristol, Willow, and Piper all rose in the years after Palin's vice-presidential bid
Hey Siri: Apple’s cool cultural capital was cashing in for babies in 2011, when Siri was released to the public and it rose in popularity alongside Apple (up 15% for girls) and Mac (up 12% for boys).
50 Shades of baby names: The erotic adventures of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele in E.L. James' 50 Shades trilogy sparked a flurry of baby-making in 2012 - and the popularity of the names Grey (and Gray), Anastasia and Ana all rose.
Music royalty is born: Blue Ivy Carter, the eldest daughter of Beyonce and Jay-Z, started a colour-naming trend: Blue, Lavender, Scarlett, Hazel, Ivory, and Violet are all colour names that spiked in popularity in the year after her birth.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Frozen frenzy begins: The Disney movie wasn't just a hit with kids, though – parents also loved the characters' names. Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Hans all rose in the year after the movie came out.
Shonda Rhimes takes over ABC: The TV producer's Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and the new How to Get Away with Murder all led to a rise in popularity for the names Arizona (up 35 per cent), Callie (up 30 per cent), Fitzgerald (up 56 per cent) and Huck (up 44 per cent).
An election ushers in new names: The presidential showdown dominated American news in 2016, and both the name Hillary and the name Donald saw a rise in popularity.
The NBA finals were a win for baby names: The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors for a second time, making LeBron James and Kyrie Irving MVPs in both basketball and baby names yet again.
Keeping Up with the Kardashians had a big impact: The names of the Kardashian-Jenner clan's children all rose in popularity after they were born. Stormi, Chicago, and True spiked, and Dream, Saint, and Reign also experienced a rise. The family also brought up the popularity of a slew of names beginning with K.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Prince Archie ushered in the nickname trend: As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcomed their son Prince Archie to the world in 2019, there's been a massive $ rise in nicknames overtaking their namesakes$ .
Remembering Kobe and Gianna Bryant: The tragic passing of Kobe and Gianna saw their names spike in popularity, with Kobe up 175% and Bryant up 29% in registrations for boys, and Gianna rose 216% for girls in 2020.
Superheroes inspire parents: In 2021, the Marvel Cinematic Universe arrived on streaming services. WandaVision names saw a boost, like Wanda (up 52%), Agatha (up 30%), Darcy (up 9%), and even Vision. Elsewhere, Chadwick was up 21% in 2021, in honour of actor and Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020.
As Twitter disappeared, so too did Elon: Unlike the spectacularly successful rocket launches at SpaceX, Elon’s name plummeted in popularity in 2022 when he bought Twitter and gutted it to turn it into what we know as X today. It clearly wasn’t a popular move with users or advertisers, or even parents, as the name dropped 450 spots after it had been on an upward trajectory in registrations.
Barbie reigns supreme: For fans who loved Barbie, the doll's full name, Barbara, rose a whopping 994 spots as the movie swept the box office in 2023. Plus, names of female powerhouses in the movie got a boost, including Greta (Gerwig, the movie's director), which rose 314 spots, and Margot (Robbie, the star of Barbie), which rose 66 spots.

Looking for more baby name inspiration? Check out this fun Tinder baby name app and then scroll through a list of over 200 unique baby names. Check out these cool baby names and some cute baby names too.

Bird-inspired baby names are set to be popular after this celebrity chose one - from Raven to Phoenix, check out these 11 choices

Ellie Hutchings — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 10:13:47 +0000

As bird-inspired baby names are predicted to be popular among new parents, we share 11 options for your new arrival.

Nature baby names are often a popular choice and, as the weather begins to warm up, spring baby names are on the up too. Now, there's a new unique baby name trend that takes inspiration from the natural world, and one Hollywood actress has given it her seal of approval.

On 23 March, Cameron Diaz announced the arrival of a baby boy with her musician husband Benji Madden. Sharing an illustration with the quote "A little bird whispered to me", the pair announced on Instagram, "We are blessed and excited to announce the birth of our son Cardinal Madden".

Cardinal birds are known for their bright red colour (although the females are brown with a red crest) and can be found in southeastern Canada and through the eastern United States. Cameron and Benji are already parents to daughter Raddix, born in 2020, so Cardinal's arrival makes them a family of four.

Though the couple haven't shared the inspiration behind their chosen baby name, bird-inspired names are far from uncommon. Some have a more obvious link to their avian inspiration - such as Dove and Robin - while others might not seem bird-inspired on the surface.

We've shared 11 bird-related baby names for new parents to take inspiration from...

(Image credit: Getty Images)

11 bird-inspired baby names

Jonah: A Hebrew name that means "dove."
Phoenix: In both Greek and Egyptian mythology, the Phoenix is a bird that burns itself to ashes every five hundred years and is then born again.
Wren: This name comes from the Old English word wrenna, which was given to the tiny songbird with a big voice.
Callum: This is the Gaelic Scottish version of the late Latin name Columba, which means "dove."
Raven: Used as a given name since at least the Viking Age, when Hrafn was an Old Norse boys' name (though Raven is now more common as a girls' name).
Corbin: This name is rooted in the Latin word corvus, which means "raven."
Jay: Jay started out as a nickname for any number of names beginning with the letter J, like Jason or James, and is a bird name by coincidence.
Mavis: Mavis is derived from an old French word for the song thrush.
Robin: The name of a red-breasted bird - a harbinger of spring - Robin is also a nickname for the old French name Robert, meaning "bright and famous."
Paloma: Paloma is a Spanish girls' name that also means "dove."
Dove: Originally coming from the Old Norse word dofa, Dove is the name given to the white birds that symbolise peace.

15 spring baby names predicted to be popular in 2024 - from classic options to unique monikers

Ellie Hutchings — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

These are the spring-themed baby names parents are loving this year, according to the data.

With so many cute baby names to choose from, it can be difficult for parents to narrow down their options when the time comes. To help make a decision, some might choose a name that signifies the time of year their little one was born. So just like December babies might be given a Christmas baby name, at this time of year expectant parents are on the hunt for spring-themed baby names.

Luckily for them, nursery retailer Kiddies Kingdom has analysed three years of Office for National Statistics data to reveal the UK’s most popular spring-inspired baby names. Using the most recent data available to the public, spring-themed baby names used between 2019 and 2021 were looked at, revealing which ones we could be seeing more of in 2024.

15 most popular spring baby names

Lily
Florence
Daisy
Hunter
Chloe
Violet
Rose
Aurora
Iris
Sonny
Olive
Eden
Owen
Nova
Anastasia

Kiddies Kingdom also revealed three spring-inspired baby names they expect to be on the rise this year:

Avril: This French-origin name meaning ‘the month of April’ has seen a huge increase in popularity over the last three years, earning the top spot on the on-the-rise list with a yearly average increase of 175%.
Calla: Calla originates from the Greek language and signifies beauty. The name receives its ties to spring through a variety of lily – the calla lily – which blooms from late spring onwards. One of the more unusual floral names, Calla has seen an average yearly increase of 76% across the last three years.
Reva: Reva is an Indian name that takes its meaning from the Goddess Durga. Goddess Durga is a warrior, who keeps the peace and prosperity, and she is typically worshipped after the spring harvest, as part of a long-standing Indian tradition. Reva experienced a 69% yearly average increase between 2019 and 2021, showing its rising popularity with families.

Kirsty Carroll, parenting expert at Kiddies Kingdom, says, "A baby’s name is one of the first gifts they get, so it’s no surprise that many parents put so much time and effort into finding the right one. When trying to come up with a baby name, it’s a good idea to start by deciding if you prefer commonly used or more unique names - this will help you reduce a potential list.

"From there, you can begin to take inspiration from things around you, like the current season. Parents expecting babies during spring who are looking for different inspiration can also look to popular culture and existing family traditions to find a name they like. Favourite TV characters, names of meaningful places, or even names influenced by beloved family members are great options."

If you're an expectant parent, you might want to check out these maternity robes or find out how maternity pay is calculated. And if you know someone who's expecting a baby, we've rounded up the best gifts for new mums too.

Girls with gender-neutral baby names are more likely to succeed in traditionally 'male-dominated' careers, research says - would you choose a unisex moniker?

Ellie Hutchings — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:56:53 +0000

Babies called Alex, Billie and Cameron could be set for successful careers, as research finds girls with gender-neutral baby names are more likely to excel in male-dominated fields.

Deciding on a baby name is a tough decision for parents - many want something that's going to fit with and reflect their little one's personality as they grow older. But have you ever considered how your baby name might reflect your little one's future career? Well, research has found that the rise of gender-neutral baby names could be of particular benefit to baby girls.

Studies suggest that girls with a unisex baby name are more likely to reach higher levels of success in fields that are traditionally male-dominated - such as maths, science, and the legal profession. So, if you're looking for a successful baby name for your little one, you might want to pick a gender-neutral moniker.

For example, researchers at the University of Florida found that girls with gender-neutral names are more likely to complete higher levels of math and science courses. This was even true for sisters and twins - a twin sister named Alex is twice as likely as a twin sister named Isabella to take math or science at a higher level.

Elsewhere, research from Clemson University in South Carolina found that females with more masculine names were more likely to achieve leadership positions in the legal career, such as judgeships.

Despite this difference in achievement, it's important to note that girls with more feminine names do not actually show worse performance in science and maths subjects, they are just less likely to pursue them. Researchers have suggested that the effect might be due to expectations - teachers might be more likely to expect a girl with a gender-neutral baby name to excel at math due to negative (and untrue) stereotypes about girls' ability in the subject. In addition, this may influence girls' own opinion of their ability to excel in male-dominated fields.

When choosing a baby name, settle on an option that feels right for your baby and your family. But if you're a fan of gender-neutral names, we've picked out a few popular options:

Gender-neutral baby names

Addison
Alex
Ashley
Billie
Bobby
Cameron
Casey
Charlie
Eden
Frankie
Harper
Jesse
Jude
Kennedy
Leslie
Micah
Morgan
Robin
Sage
Tony
Wren

These are the 100 'most beautiful-sounding' baby names, according to science - they're pretty but would you choose one?

Ellie Hutchings — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 09:58:03 +0000

A scientific study has revealed 100 of the 'most beautiful-sounding' baby names. Is yours on the list?

Finding the perfect baby name isn't easy - many parents want a cool baby name or a unique baby name that will stand out on the class register, but there are also plenty of names that parents love but don't feel 'cool enough' to use (which is why sticking to the most popular baby names might be preferable).

If you're struggling to settle on the perfect moniker, it turns out science might be able to help. Personalised gift retailer My 1st Years partnered with Associate Professor of Cognitive Linguistics Dr Bodo Winter to perform a study on scientific principles that could potentially indicate how beautiful-sounding a name is.

By looking at a list of the most popular baby names in the UK, they found that certain principles of linguistics and psychological phenomenons do make certain names more phonetically appealing and therefore more 'beautiful-sounding'. Their research resulted in a list of 100 of the most appealing boys' and girls' names.

50 most beautiful-sounding boys names

Zayn
Jesse
Charlie
Louie
William
Freddie
George
Ali
Daniel
Riley
Omar
Arthur
Rowan
Leo
Joseph
Theo
Harry
Noah
Toby
Jude
Isaac
Teddy
Samuel
James
Elijah
Luke
Edward
Logan
Riley
Max
Liam
Roman
Ryan
Jack
Benjamin
Lucas
Henry
Finn
Jacob
Mason
Nathan
Alex
Alexander
Theodore
Adam
David
Hunter
Muhammad
Sebastian
Dylan

50 most beautiful sounding girls names

Sophia
Zoe
Rosie
Sophie
Ivy
Phoebe
Violet
Willow
Hannah
Ellie
Emily
Evelyn
Rose
Eliza
Eva
Chloe
Penelope
Lucy
Ruby
Lily
Olivia
Emma
Eleanor
Bella
Luna
Ella
Thea
Nancy
Isabella
Maya
Amber
Daisy
Amelia
Anna
Georgia
Charlotte
Elizabeth
Maria
Iris
Aurora
Jasmine
Alice
Eden
Jessica
Aria
Harper
Sienna
Grace
Ada
Erin

Explaining how the sounds of names can influence parents' choices, Dr Winter said, "Research by Stephanie Shih shows that parents try to avoid choosing first names that would clash with their family names. If your family name starts with ‘S,’ such as Scott, Smith, Saunders, or Sullivan, it may be advisable not to have a first name that ends in ‘S,’ such as Marcus, Charles, or Nicolas – because the two ‘s’ sounds will blend into each other."

He added, "In another recent paper, Berger and colleagues found… that when there are major hurricanes in the US, the next generation of babies will be more likely to feature sounds that occur in the name of the hurricane, such as Katie after Hurricane Katrina."

He continued, "This seems surprising at first: nobody would want to name their child after a devastating natural disaster, of course! But when a particularly dangerous hurricane wreaks havoc over a country, the name of the hurricane will be mentioned again and again in the media. This means that we are exposed more to the same sounds, and it is known from psychological research that things that are more familiar to us are generally liked more, a phenomenon known as the ‘mere exposure effect.’ As a result, the speech sounds contained in hurricane names are actually more likely to crop up in names of the next generation."

While the research suggests that some baby names are indeed more beautiful-sounding than others, there are a lot of factors that contribute to how appealling a name can really be - from cultural influences to gender and family history.

15 baby names parents love but 'don't feel cool enough' to use - would you choose one?

Ellie Hutchings — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 11:13:20 +0000

A baby name expert asked parents to share the names they love but don't feel confident enough to use. Take some inspiration from their 'daring' choices...

Settling on a baby name is one of the first things parents will want to tick off their list once they find out they're expecting. And while many are hoping to settle on a cool baby name or a unique baby name that will stand out on the class register, others aren't quite brave enough to choose a name that's so 'out-there' - and decide to settle on one of the most popular baby names instead.

One professional baby namer has revealed some of the 'guilty pleasure' baby names that mums 'don't feel cool enough' to use. Mum-of-three SJ Strum, who has over 41,000 followers on Instagram for her posts about parenting and baby names, recently conducted a poll asking her followers to share some of the "more daring names" that parents love, but don't feel confident enough to give their child.

More than 7,000 mums responded to the poll, which revealed some unusual choices for both girls and boys. The two most popular choices for girls were Honey and Calliope, while Wilder and Atlas were most popular for boys.

SJ thinks that 'Honey' may be on the rise in popularity thanks to Fearne Cotton, who used the endearing moniker. She also thinks 'Calliope' would be more common but people steer clear as they "know it might be mispronounced". (Calliope is pronounced 'kuh·lai·uh·pee'.)

Explaining in an Instagram story, SJ said, "People want a name that's not popular, but everyone likes it. People think 'am I cool enough to call my child a daring name?'. But in the playground, children are used to kids having more unique names. Just because a name is less used doesn't mean it's less liked."

Top 'guilty pleasure' names for girls

Honey
Calliope
Tallulah
Tigerlily
Lavender
Clover

Top 'guilty pleasure' names for boys

Wilder
Atlas
Ziggy
Rex
Cosmo
Peregrine
Chase
Wulfric (shortened to 'Wolfie')
Ernest

If you're shying away from a bold baby name but like some of these choices, SJ suggests using a more unique moniker as a middle name. "With the middle name, you can be a bit braver," she explains. "You don't have to say it, and it's not asked often, but you’ll know it’s there."

But, ultimately, SJ says if you like a name, you should be brave and use it. She said: "If you use it as a first name or a middle name, you’ll always love it. If you throw it away, ask yourself – will you regret it?"

5 highest-earning baby names revealed: Your little one could grow up to earn a salary of £113,472 with one of these options

Ellie Hutchings — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 10:04:36 +0000

David and Sarah are just two of the baby names that could grow up to make the most money - would you choose them?

There are different approaches you can take when choosing a baby name - some parents are specifically looking for a unique baby name, while others take inspiration from their favourite TV shows and may opt for a Bridgerton baby name. But have you ever considered choosing a name that might influence how much money your child grows up to make? If you have, chances are you've checked out the top millionaire baby names too.

If you're hoping your little one is going to aim for the sky when it comes to their future career and salary, then a study carried out by furniture suppliers Furniture At Work has revealed which names are likely to be the biggest earners and end up with a salary much higher than the UK average (which ONS figures currently puts at £34,963). And if you've got a little Karen or John, we've got some good news for you.

The research used LinkedIn data to determine the highest-paying vacancies and the most popular names for people in those roles. It turns out, men named David are the most likely to earn up to £113,472 as tax partners, while more women named Karen also have this job role than any other female name.

Of the top ten highest-paying positions, Sarah was the most frequent women’s name on the list (with eight appearances), while David was the most common name for seven of the highest-earning job titles.

Top 5 names that earn the most money

David
Sarah
John
Karen
Andrew

Through looking at top-paying vacancies on LinkedIn, their average salaries and the most popular names in the profession, the study found that tax partner was the top role, with an average annual salary of £113,472. David and Karen were the most popular names in the profession.

David was also the most popular name for the second highest earning job role - Chief Financial Officer, with an average salary of £107,60 - alongside Sarah. In addition, Sarah and David were the most popular names for Directors, GPs/Physicians, Operations Directors, Data Engineers and Software Engineers.

Sarah also appeared alongside Andrew for the most popular names of Consultant Psychiatrists, and alongside John for the most common names of Legal Consultants. Quantitative Developers, who earn an average salary of £91,011, were an anomaly, with the most popular boy's name for this role Paul, and the most popular girl's name tied between Elizabeth and Julie.

Leif and Nova are just two of the 20 spring-themed baby names sure to stand out on the class register - would you choose one?

Ellie Hutchings — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:53:11 +0000

Looking for a unique name that's perfect for a spring baby? These 20 options are sure to stand out.

Settling on a baby name is a big milestone for expectant parents, but with so many to choose from - and the weight of the knowledge that your little one will have it for the rest of their life - it's not an easy decision. Some like to opt for a name that's reflective of the month or time that their baby was born (think Christmas baby names in December) and with spring now here, we think there's going to be a boom in nature baby names very soon.

But for parents after a more unique baby name, they might be on the hunt for lesser-known floral baby names, rather than timeless classics such as Daisy, Poppy and Lily. If that sounds like you, the good news is that personalised gift experts, Getting Personal, have analysed ONS data to reveal 20 lesser-known spring-themed baby names that haven’t been featured in the top 100 most popular names for decades - if ever.

20 lesser-known spring baby names

Spring baby names for girls

Claire - once popular during the 80’s and 90’s, Claire has a French origin with the beautiful meaning "bright, clear".
Oona - this Irish variation of Una, meaning "lamb" is a unique take on nature-themed spring names.
Raine - has deeply natural connotations as a variation of Rain, this name is also of French origin meaning "queen".
May - is a sweet name that hasn't been on the national charts in several decades, but has a fresh and springlike feel given its ties to the month.
Gaia - from Greek origin, this name means "earth mother; rejoicing", perfect for those looking for natural ties.
Una - like Oona, the name Una is of Latin origin meaning "one; lamb; happy". The Oona spelling is slightly more popular but Una is a little sleeker.
Blossom - a more unusual take on the popular spring flower names, Blossom actually means “to bloom” and is the act of coming into flower.
April - another spring month name, April has a Latin origin meaning "to open", perfect for the beginning of a new season and fresh beginnings.
Flora - is the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, renowned for their eternal youth.
Nova - has a double meaning, not only from the Latin origin meaning “new” but also being the astrological term for a star.

Spring baby names for boys

Ryo - a name of Japanese origin, it has multiple meanings including both “refreshing” and “reality” making it perfect for welcoming in new beginnings.
Aries - the star sign of some spring babies but it is also the first star sign of the new astrological year. Those with Aries star signs often welcome new possibilities- perfect for spring.
Pascal - has both French and English origins meaning "of the Passover; Easter". This could be an interesting choice for those with Gallic roots.
Leif - has a natural aural association with the word leaf making it ideal for the season of new growth. It also has a Scandinavian origin meaning "heir, descendant".
Arun - is a name of Indian origin and in Sanskrit, it means "dawn", describing the rich, red, and earthy colours of the morning sunrise.
Neo - meaning "new or gift" has a Latin origin. In the Southern African language of Tswana, it is also a unisex name meaning "gift".
Xavier - of Arabic, Basque origin, this strong-sounding name means “new house”, again a perfect name to celebrate fresh beginnings.
Axel - has Scandinavian origins and a meaning of "father of peace" giving it biblical ties that associate it with Easter, an important Spring festival for Christians.
River - another nature baby name with more subtle ties to the season. It brings with it associations with ever-flowing change, energy and life.
Robin - a bird often seen during the spring months, Robin also means "bright fame".

Abby Davidson, personalisation expert at Getting Personal said: "Spring is a season associated with renewal, growth, and freshness. Therefore, it’s only natural that names inspired by spring can symbolise new beginnings, hope, and optimism, qualities which any parent would wish for their children.

"Of course, spring is also known for its natural beauty but it is also generally a time of joy and happiness after the cold winter months and therefore spring names bring to mind feelings of warmth, happiness, and positivity."

These 20 baby names have plummeted in popularity, data shows - and there's a surprising royal name on the list (but would you still choose it?)

Ellie Hutchings — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:52:35 +0000

Data has revealed the baby names that have plummeted in popularity since 2011. Can you guess which royal moniker is on the list?

Royal baby names often make for popular choice among new parents thanks to their regal connotations, with some royal names expected to surge in popularity as new family members are welcomed to the world, while other royal names make a comeback as fashions change. But not every regal name remains popular

Compare the Market used data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to find out which baby names have seen the biggest increase and decrease in popularity since 2011. Incidentally, 2011 is the same year the Prince and Princess of Wales married - but the happy occasion doesn't seem to have helped boost the popularity of a once-fashionable royal baby name. According to the data, the name 'Kate' has seen a staggering decrease of 72 per cent in the 10 years after the royal wedding.

The name Kate - which is short for Catherine in the Princess of Wales' case - has both Greek and English origins, and means 'pure'. It has been a named used by and given to princesses and noblewomen for centuries.

Statistics from BabyCenter show Kate's decrease in popularity over time, with the name being used for a huge 6,944 babies per million in 1996, down to just 327 babies per million in 2023. The parenting website puts the name Kate at number 459 in the list of girls names for 2023 - down 112 places from 2022.

However, Kate isn't the only once-popular baby name going out of fashion. Other classics include Amy, Lucy and Holly for girls and Connor, Matthew and Luke for boys - all of which have seen a dramatic decrease in their usage since 2011.

For girls, Amy has seen the biggest decline, plummeting 86 per cent in popularity, while for boys, the name Brandon has seen a huge 87 per cent decrease. Instead, Compare the Market found that names influenced by celebrity babies have been on the up. Saint, the name of one of Kim Kardashian's children, has increased in popularity by 1867 per cent and Harper, the name of David and Victoria Beckham's daughter, is up 3424 per cent. Meanwhile, unisex baby names - such as Ezra, Wren and Aubrey - are also on the up.

Girls' names going out of fashion

Amy
Brooke
Fiona
Kimberley
Samantha
Lucy
Honour
Kate
Holly
Rebecca

Boy names going out of fashion

Brandon
Ashton
Mackenzie
Connor
Juston
Matthew
Luke
Ashley
Bradley
Bailey

Looking for more baby name inspiration? Check out these unique baby names, our list of 64 millionaire baby names and this huge list of 150 middle names too.

Teachers reveal the 'naughtiest' children's names - but are they or does Jack just get a bad rap because of statistics and stereotypes?

Ellie Hutchings — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:08:03 +0000

Teachers, parents and pupils have voted for the best and worst-behaved names - you might be surprised by the answers.

Choosing a baby name is not an easy decision for expectant parents - after all, your little one is going to have it for the rest of their life. Some parents want a unique baby name that will stand out in the class register, while others are on the hunt for cool baby names or cute baby names instead.

But what about naughty baby names? They're surely not something that parents intentionally give to their children, but it turns out that some names are thought of as more mischievous than others - as one survey found out.

The study, which was carried out by MyNameTags and CensusWide, asked 1,500 teachers, pupils and parents across the UK to take a look at a list of baby names and rank them from best to worst behaved.

Teachers, children and parents all agreed that Jack is the name associated with boys most likely to misbehave - receiving 23% of the vote. Meanwhile, Mia was seen to be the naughtiest girls name - although the children surveyed felt differently, choosing Emily as the name associated with girls most likely to misbehave.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Top 5 'naughtiest' boys names

Jack
Harry
Charlie
Oliver
George

Top 5 'naughtiest' girls names

Mia
Ella
Isabella
Amelia
Sophia

Top 5 'best-behaved' boys names

Arthur
Noah
Oscar
Muhammad
Leo

Top 5 'best-behaved' girls names

Isla
Ava
Grace
Olivia
Emily

Managing director at My Nametags, Lars B. Andersen, said that someone’s first name "can really paint a picture of what they are like."

He said: "It was interesting to discover that these stereotypes are formed from a young age, with children and adults quick to make judgements about children based on their first name alone.

"These beliefs can make the difficult task of naming a child even more challenging, but we hope that our research will help give expectant parents an insight into society’s opinions of the most popular boys and girls names in the UK right now."

Elsewhere, we've rounded up over 180 old-fashioned baby names. And while it turns out that nicknames are the new baby name trend, these 40 baby names have 'fallen out of favour' with millennials - and this traditional name has dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since records began.

Everyone thinks Amazon is to blame for this once-popular baby name falling out of favour - would you still choose it?

Ellie Hutchings — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 09:41:21 +0000

A classic baby girl's name is in danger of going extinct - and many people think Amazon could be to blame.

The top baby name trends come and go, and while some of the most unpopular baby names might seem like they'll never return (like this list of baby names going extinct in 2024), chances are that just like Ugg boots they'll be back in fashion at some point.

Often, pop culture and celebrity baby names can determine what parents more widely are choosing for their new arrivals. But we've noticed one baby name trend that seems to be influenced by something more surprising - a popular Amazon product. There's one baby girl's name that's fallen dramatically out of favour after a certain smart speaker was introduced to the market.

Yep, that's right, it's 'Alexa'. Greek in origin, Alexa is a beautiful name that means "defender of man". But given that we've all got used to people shouting "Alexa!" at a piece of home technology, it's no surprise that many parents aren't keen to have their little ones associated with the moniker.

Amazon Alexa was first announced in November 2014 and, according to Baby Centre, the name Alexa has dropped dramatically in use since then. It hit its peak of 3,408 babies per million with the name Alexa in 2015, but since has fallen to just 352 babies named Alexa per million in 2022 (the latest data available).

It's been widely reported that Amazon named its voice-computing technology Alexa as a homage to the Library of Alexandria in Egypt, which was one of the largest centres for knowledge and learning in ancient times. But also because it needed a distinct combination of phonemes, so the speaker wouldn't be activated unnecessarily.

(Image credit: Alamy)

Unfortunately, this decision means that many parents have abandoned the name Alexa, likely deciding that it would be a nuisance to hear their child's name called all the time when people direct requests at a piece of technology. (But also because, let's face it, who wants to be associated with a smart speaker?)

For some who have already been Christened Alexa before Amazon's invention, the "appropriation" of their name is a harsh blow. The Washington Post interviewed several women called Alexa about the issue, one of whom said, "I can't even look at Amazon stuff anymore without wanting to kick the package over". She added that she has since opted to go by 'Lex' instead.

However, if you're set on the name for your little one then we've got good news: you can now change your Amazon device's 'wake word' by using the Amazon Alexa app or simply saying "Alexa, can you change your wake word?"

You can't change it to anything you like, but the set choices are 'Amazon,' 'Echo,' and 'Computer.' Thankfully, none of them are real names!

These 40 baby names have fallen ‘out of favour’ with millennial parents but ‘could be a perfect choice’ for those wanting a unique baby name

charlieelizabeth123@gmail.com (Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse) — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:14 +0000

Baby naming experts have revealed that several once popular baby names have now fallen ‘out of favour’ with millennial parents for seemingly no reason - but they could make the 'perfect' name for parents who want something unique.

Choosing a baby name is one of the first decisions many parents will make for their newborn. And it's a difficult task. Do you go for a unique baby name or a cool baby name? There's also the top baby name trends of 2024 to consider, not to mention nicknames, which were 2023’s biggest baby name trend.

But what about the names we don't see so often? There's a tonne of old fashioned baby names that are making a comeback, but there are also recently popular baby names that are falling out of favour.

Baby naming experts BabyCentre recently revealed the names that, though previously popular, have now fallen off the radar completely as millennial parents ditch them in favour of something else.

Faye Mingo, Chief Marketing Officer at BabyCentre, told The Mirror, "These names might have fallen out of popularity, but they could be the perfect choice for your new arrival if you want a unique baby name. Though these names are familiar, they're likely to be the only child in their class with the name!"

One of the biggest reasons BabyCentre speculate certain names have declined in use is due to celebrities who also use the name. As such, names including Keanu, after Keanu Reeves, Buddy, after Buddy Holly, and Flo, used by actress Florence Pugh, have all taken a nosedive.

Similarly, while many Disney-inspired baby names continue to be popular, Bruno, a name used by a character in the popular animation Encanto, has plummeted in popularity after the release of the movie.

Alternative and unique spellings of names are also seeing a dip in use, likely due to the fact these names have been officially dubbed as the ‘most stressful’ baby names you can use. "We've been keeping an eye on alternative spellings as they've been falling in and out of favour," Mingo shared. But the expert believes they could still make the perfect name for many kids. She said, "We know there are always parents on the lookout for something unique so Zahraa, Kiera, Alyssia or Elyse could be the perfect choice for parents who want a name that stands out from the crowd."

10 endangered baby names for boys

Keanu
Ryder
Leroy
Younes
Aydan
Griff
Bowen
Bruno
Jameson
Moses
Nelson
Preston
Tiger
Buddy
Hanse
Luigi
Matthias
Miller
Raffy
Roscoe

20 endangered baby names for girls

Flo
Maira
Vivienne
Zahraa
Alyssia
Deema
Kiera
Latifa
Nihira
Peggy
Tianna
Anita
Bailey
Elyse
Indiana
Renee
Saira
Drew
Macey
Maddy

Keep up to date with more family news like grandparents are likely to live for longer if their children have kids later in life, new research shows and tired of yelling to get your child to listen? A parenting coach reveals her 3-step formula for setting boundaries and break the cycle of anger and guilt as well as I’m a parenting expert - this is the age your kids are really ready to do chores (and what they can learn from getting involved).

Taylor Swift-inspired baby name ideas for your little Swiftie

charlieelizabeth123@gmail.com (Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse) — Sun, 18 Feb 2024 10:08:20 +0000

For fans of Taylor Swift, scanning her story-telling lyrics for the perfect baby name is sure to bring up a countless number of choices - or you could sit back and relax as we've done the work for you and listed all the best Taylor Swift-inspired baby name ideas for your little Swiftie.

Pop culture is influencing our baby name decisions more so now than ever. Whether you choose to name a child after your favourite TV show, with Bridgerton-inspired baby names, or Succession baby names, or you're a Disney fan and want to find a Disney-inspired baby name, there's a whole host of inspiration out there.

And when it comes to music, it's no different. With the popularity of Taylor Swift soaring as she steps out night after night on her Eras Tour, more and more fans are turning to her lyricism to find the perfect baby name - and there's no shortage of names referenced throughout her songs.

Taylor Swift-inspired baby names for boys

Tim

Long-time fans of Taylor Swift will know Tim as a throwback reference to the classic song 'Tim McGraw' from her very first album. It's a subtle nod to the singer but one that any OG fan will appreciate. It also works as a lovely name without the musical refference and means 'one who honours God' as well as playing into 2023's biggest baby naming trend of short baby names.

James

As the name of one of the characters in Taylor’s heart-wrenching song 'Betty,' James may be another subtle choice of name but it's also a classic and is increasingly being used as a unisex baby name - even one of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynold's daughters shares the name!

August

Another unisex choice, the name August is inspired by the song 'August' off of Taylor’s Folklore album. The name is also a lovely summer-inspired choice that would be perfect for any baby born throughout the sun-filled season.

Bobby

Taken from her song 'Starlight' which was written about Bobby and Ethel Kennedy, not only does the name Bobby reference Taylor Swift, but it also gives your child a brilliantly successful namesake, which is great for parents looking to name a future entrepreneur or CEO.

Short for Robert, the name also means 'fame' and 'bright,' giving it a lovely meaning beyond the celebrity references.

Taylor Swift-inspired baby names for girls

Cornelia

For fans of Taylor's Lovers era, the name Cornelia is a sweet choice of baby name for a newborn. Taken from the song 'Cornelia Street,' the name means 'horn' which only further plays into the music-inspired name.

Abigail

Inspired by Taylor's classic song 'Fifteen,' the name Abigail is a super sweet choice of baby name. The song details a coming-of-age story, the perfect soundtrack for any growing child, and Taylor references her best friend Abigail in the lyrics.

Away from music, Abigail means 'my father’s joy.'

Betty

While Betty may have once been seen as an old fashion baby name, Taylor's hit song 'Betty' has completely changed that view. You can use the name as a nickname for the longer Elizabeth, but it’s also incredibly sweet on its own and means 'oath of God.'

Daisy May

Taken from the song 'You’re on Your Own, Kid' from her latest album Midnights, in which Taylor sings 'So long, Daisy May,' the name Daisy May is not only a sweet baby name inspired by the great outdoors but it's also, allegedly, another of Blake Lively and Ryan Reynold's baby names.

Alison

If you want a more direct Taylor-inspired baby name but don't want to call your child Taylor, Alison is a great alternative as it's the singer's middle name. The name means means 'noble, exalted' and makes a great unique baby name as it has fallen largely out of favour with parents recently.

Dorothea

Meaning 'gift of God,' the name Dorothea is another direct song reference to the song 'Dorothea' from Taylor's Evermore album.

Marjorie

Another direct song title and Evermore reference, the name Marjorie is a brilliant option for a baby girl. It could also be replaced with it's derivative name Margaret, which means 'pearl.'

These 40 baby names are banned around the world and there's more than one UK royal on the list - is your name illegal in another country?

Ellie Hutchings — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:31:43 +0000

Different countries have different rules for naming babies, and some of the UK's popular baby names have been banned around the world - including a few royal monikers.

Deciding on a baby name is often one of the first things parents start to think about when they find out they're expecting. With so many to choose from, it's hard to know whether a unique baby name or one of the most popular baby names will be the right choice - and is there a cute baby name or a cool baby name that suits your bundle of joy?

In the UK, parents can take their pick of pretty much any baby names they like. In the US, the rules are similarly lax, with just a handful of monikers banned. But, elsewhere in the word, the laws are much stricter when it comes to what you can call your child.

New Zealand and Iceland are both known for the restrictions they place on baby names, with the former not allowing names that contain a title or rank (such as Prince), while the Nordic island nation doesn't allow letters that aren't in the Icelandic alphabet. Names that are common in the UK have previously been outlawed - including Harriet and Camilla.

And it's not just the current queen that has a banned name, several other members of the royal family have names that are illegal elsewhere in the world. France previously barred parents from naming their child Prince William, while in Portugal almost all the Wales' names are banned - William, Catherine, George and Charlotte - because most foreign names are not permitted.

That said, most of the rejected names around the world are pretty unusual. Check out 40 of them below...

(Image credit: Getty Images)

40 baby names banned around the world

New Zealand

Chief Maximus
Sex Fruit
Talula Does the Hula from Hawaii
Lucifer

Iceland

Harriet
Camilla
Ariel
Zelda

Sweden

Superman
IKEA
Brfxxccxxmnpxxxxlllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116
Elvis

France

Nutella
Prince William
Griezmann Mbappe
Manhattan

Portugal

Thor
Tom
Charlotte
Emily

Mexico

Robocop
Circumcision
Rambo
Batman

More banned baby names

Linda (Saudi Arabia)
Maya (Saudi Arabia)
Friday (Italy)
Blue (Italy)
Monkey (Denmark)
Pluto (Denmark)
Judas (Switzerland)
Chanel (Switzerland)
Duke (Australia)
Spinach (Australia)
Bridge (Norway)
Sarah (Morocco)
Wolf (Spain)
Snake (Malaysia)
Kohl (Germany)
@ (China)

Looking for more baby name inspiration? We've rounded up this huge list of old-fashioned baby names, and we've got space-inspired baby names and twin baby names to choose from too. And find out if your name is dying out with this list of unpopular baby names.

Baby names going extinct in 2024 include Michelle and Amanda - is your name on the list?

Adam England — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 08:57:25 +0000

Once popular, these baby names are predicted to go extinct in 2024 as they’re tumbling in popularity.

Choosing the right baby name isn’t always easy, with so many options out there. From the space-inspired baby names set to be popular this year to the rising baby names experts never saw coming, there are so many options.

But there are some names that parents just don’t seem to be using anymore, including some millennial and Gen Z staples, as BabyCenter has found after analysing baby names from the past couple of years.

They include classic names like Diana, Amanda, and Angela, as well as more modern names like Mckenzie, Oaklee, and Brady.

“Girls' names that were popular when millennials were being born have fallen from grace in the past decade,” said BabyCenter. Indeed, while Amanda, Angela, Brooke, Diana, and Michelle were all in the top 100 in the 1980s and ‘90s, they’ve tumbled down the rankings in recent years with new parents choosing different options.

Meanwhile, the boys’ names that shot up in popularity over the last decade or so – those names ending in ‘-den’ like Aiden and Jaiden, don’t make even the top 300 names for 2024.

Similarly, it looks as though modern first names which started off as or sound like surnames are on their way out. For boys, these include Baylor, Bradley, Brady, Clayton, Hendrix, Preston, and Reid. For girls, it’s the likes of Mckenzie, Oaklee, Raegan, and Sawyer.

Brooke had the sharpest fall in popularity from 2022 to 2023 out of all girls’ names, falling a whopping 198 spots down the list. Then, Blake and Mckenzie fell 185 and 184 places respectively.

The boys’ name with the largest drop was Julius, which fell 189 places. Jaiden dropped 151 places, while Johnny, perhaps surprisingly given its enduring popularity, fell 150.

Baby names going extinct in 2024

Aiden
Amanda
Angela
Mckenzie
Brooke
Michelle
Oaklee
Brady
Diana
Jaiden
Baylor
Bradley
Brady
Clayton
Hendrix
Preston
Reid
Raegan
Sawyer
Julius

If you’re after more baby name inspiration, try our baby name generator! Or, take a look at some of our favourite names, from these 180 old-fashioned baby names to these 200 unusual names.

The meanings you never knew behind 25 very common baby names revealed – is yours on the list?

Ellie Hutchings — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 10:16:00 +0000

Every baby name has a meaning, but it's often overlooked when expectant parents are making their decision.

There are lots of reasons why parents might choose a particular name for their baby. They might be on the hunt for unique baby names or something more specific, like a space-inspired baby name. But for others, it's all about the meaning behind the moniker.

Baby name consultant SJ Strum told GoodtoKnow, "All names have personality and it's fascinating to discover what your own name means as a first step to picking a special baby name that you really bond with. Couples I work with as a baby name consultant can often find a strong connection to a name through either linking the meaning of their own name (which becomes a lovely family tradition for siblings too) or by finding a name meaning that fits your values and passions."

But you don't have to go with an unusual choice to find a baby name with a meaning that resonates. Some of the most popular baby names out there have beautiful meanings. Luca, for example, which Baby Centre recorded as the eighth most popular boy's name in 2023, means 'bringer of light'. Meanwhile, Sophia – which was the ninth most popular girl's name – means 'wisdom'.

SJ added, "If you're struggling with an A-Z list or have lots of ideas but no big stand-out names; I always recommend going with the story of the name – and that's often what the name's meaning can bring. "

Below, SJ has revealed the lesser-known meanings behind 25 of the most common baby names...

(Image credit: Alamy)

25 common baby name meanings revealed

Amanda - she who must be loved
Ellie - light or sunbeam
Alfie - elf counsel
Philippa - lover of horses
Xavier - new house
Dylan - born from the ocean
Mia - mine
Aurora - dawn
Frank - to be free
Abigail - my fathers joy
Freya - goddess of fertility
Ava - bird like
Oscar - deer lover
George - farmer
Henry - ruler of the home
Sophia - wisdom
Florence - to bloom
Otis - wealthy
Mabel - loveable
Luca - bringer of light
Everly - boar in a meadow
David - beloved
Logan - little cove
Ellis - kind
Riley - courageous

Looking for more baby name inspiration? We've put together a list of 500 twin baby names and over 180 old-fashioned baby names too. Check out these cool baby names and some cute baby names too.

Space-inspired baby names are set to be popular in 2024 - but do you think they’re out of this world?

Adam England — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 11:00:53 +0000

There are some exciting space missions planned for this year, but space could be a popular theme for baby names this year too.

When deciding on the right name for your baby, you can often find it difficult. Whether you’re expecting, or you’re looking at your newborn and trying to find the perfect name for your perfect little one, how do you settle on just one?

From the old-fashioned names making a comeback to some lesser-known floral names that are expected to be popular this year, the opportunities are almost limitless. A bit like humankind’s potential to explore the universe, you might suggest.

And funnily enough, space-inspired baby names are expected to increase in popularity this year. According to Nameberry, parents want to “send the right message” with science-themed names.

Astra and Mars are among those expected to become more popular, as well as Darwin and Kepler – after biologist Charles Darwin and astronomer Johannes Kepler respectively. Meanwhile, Nova, which was the 94th most popular name for girls last year, may also rise in popularity.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Taking a closer look at last year’s charts shows that space-inspired names aren’t a totally new thing. Luna, which means ‘moon’ in Latin, was the 20th most popular name last year. Phoebe, which we might not associate with space but is actually one of Saturn’s moons, was 24th.

Lyra, which is the name of a constellation, was 75th. Meanwhile, Ophelia, one of Uranus’ moons, was 85th.

These could be some of the most popular names of the next year or two, replacing some of the names which are seemingly dying out. These include some classic Biblical names like Hannah and John – for years, baby name staples.

If you're still looking for the right baby name, why not try our baby name generator and see what you get? Or, have a browse of the celebrity-inspired baby names Brits are loving in 2024.

We find out the real reason why more boys are born than girls - and it's pretty interesting

Adam England — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 10:00:09 +0000

More baby boys are born than baby girls, and mathematician Hannah Fry has explained just why that is.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the numbers of baby boys and baby girls born are basically equal. After all, we consider there to be a 50/50 chance of each when we’re expecting new arrivals – we can try to predict with this Chinese birth chart or the Nub Theory, but the gender itself is really just down to chance.

However, mathematician Hannah Fry, who you might recognise from the BBC, has explained in a recent Instagram post that more baby boys are born than baby girls, and why.

A post shared by Hannah Fry (@fryrsquared)
A photo posted by on

She says that a biologist told her – slightly morbidly – that slightly more boys being born was “evolution’s correction” for boys being more likely to get into accidents.

However, the ratio can change dramatically over time, and peak in some interesting places. For example, at the end of a war, there’s an increase in the number of baby boys born. This isn’t something that’s unique to Britain, either – it happens all around the world.

The most notable peaks in the UK over the last century or so occurred around 1919, 1945, and 1973. The First World War ended in 1918 and the Second ended in 1945, so this stands to reason. There was no such war around 1973, but it was a turbulent time for the country with an energy crisis and the three-day week.

There are a number of theories that could explain this phenomenon. Fry’s personal favourite is that “God must be trying to replenish the male stock in the country,” but the actual reason, she says, is that “it turns out that the chances of a woman conceiving a male or female child actually very subtly change depending on when in her cycle she conceives.”

So if a woman conceives slightly earlier in her cycle, she’s very slightly more likely to have a baby boy. And, at the end of a war (or when there’s a three-day week, apparently) people have more sex than usual. Women get pregnant slightly earlier in their cycles, and consequently, more baby boys are born.

In other fertility and conception news, here are 21 of the best foods for getting pregnant, and here’s our ovulation calculator to find out when you’re most fertile.

The celebrity-inspired baby names Brits are loving in 2024

Adam England — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 10:14:35 +0000

From Margot to Cillian, some celeb-inspired baby names are rising up the rankings.

It’s never easy to come up with the ideal baby name, even though there are so many different options out there it’s like we’re spoilt for choice! From millionaire baby names to floral baby names, just where do you start?

Well, it turns out that some Brits are going for baby names inspired by our favourite celebrities, but just which famous names are the most popular? Some of them sound surprisingly old-fashioned.

The ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon dominated cinema last year, so it’s perhaps no surprise that Barbie and Oppenheimer have influenced the baby name choices of many parents. Margot Robbie, who played the titular character in Barbie, might be pleased to know that her first name has been rising up the UK charts in recent years. It was the 85th most popular name in 2023 – an increase of 19 places from 2022 – according to BabyCentre, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it rise further in 2024.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

And what about Ken, played by Ryan Gosling in last year’s movie? It might have slightly old-fashioned connotations, but it shot up the rankings last year. And as more people are searching for the name online, we could see more baby Kens being born in 2024.

Meanwhile, Cillian Murphy, who had a starring role in Oppenheimer, might see his first name gaining in popularity too. According to BabyCentre, it increased in popularity slightly in 2023, but could it explode in popularity this year? With Murphy being one of the hottest actors around right now, we wouldn’t bet against it.

Other popular celebrity-inspired names include Saint – made popular in recent years by Kim Kardashian, who gave her eldest son the name in 2015 – and, interestingly, David.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

David is a classic, timeless name, but has waned slightly in popularity over the last couple of decades. However, BabyCentre has it as the fourth most popular name for boys in 2024 – a jump of 36 places from last year. This might be in part down to David Beckham, still one of the most famous sportspeople in the world – particularly following the release of the Netflix series Beckham last year.

If you're still looking for the right baby name, why not give our baby name generator a spin? Or, take a look at the rising baby names for 2024 that experts 'never saw coming'.

This baby name meaning 'delicate' could be set to rise in popularity this year

Adam England — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 12:54:00 +0000

This baby name meaning ‘delicate’ could be set to rise up the charts this year.

Choosing a name for your new arrival can often be a tricky task, with so many to choose from. From cute floral baby names to the old-fashioned baby names making a comeback – by way of this Princess Diana-inspired name expected to be popular this year – the possibilities are almost endless.

But according to YouTuber and name consultant SJ Strum, UK parents may be leaning more towards less common names in 2024, despite generally preferring more timeless and traditional choices.

Per Yahoo Life, she said that modern parents want to “move on to rarer choices as unique names still dominate,” and one of the names she expects to increase in popularity this year is Delilah.

According to Verywell Family, Delilah is of both Hebrew and Arabic origin, meaning ‘delicate’ in both languages. Delilah was also a biblical figure, famously the love interest of Samson, while the likes of Tom Jones, Queen, Florence + the Machine and the Plain White T’s have songs with the name in the title.

How popular is Delilah at the moment? According to BabyCentre, Delilah is the 62nd most popular name for baby girls. However, it could rise more this year, with parents seeking alternatives for some of the names that have long been near the top of the charts, like Olivia, Amelia and Isla.

Delilah isn’t the only biblical name that’s expected to rise in popularity this year. Neriah, who featured in the Old Testament, has become a perhaps surprisingly popular choice for baby girls, with Nameberry editor-in-chief Sophie Kihm explaining that its newfound popularity may be influenced by the indie singer of the same name.

However, one name from the Bible, Hannah, is starting to fall in popularity. In BabyCentre’s list of popular names in 2023, Hannah was 60th, and could be overtaken by Delilah. It’s a far cry from the turn of the millennium, when it was among the most popular names for baby girls in the UK.

If you're still looking for the right baby name, why not take a look at our baby name generator? Or, have a scroll through the most popular baby names from the past 24 years for some handy inspo!

The rising baby names for 2024 that experts 'never saw coming' have been revealed - would you choose them?

ellie.hutchings@futurenet.com (Ellie Hutchings) — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 10:06:16 +0000

Even the experts are surprised by these trending baby names, here's the inspiration behind them...

Choosing a baby name is no easy task for expectant parents - especially when looking for a unique baby name that's going to stand out on the future class register. Luckily, here at GoodtoKnow we know a thing or two about the latest fashions - whether that's the most popular baby names out there or the top baby name trends for 2024.

From royal-inspired names and Disney baby names to floral baby names and other nature baby names, we've seen them all. But some popular monikers still catch us off guard - and even the experts have admitted there are some baby name trends they didn't see coming.

Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief at baby name website Nameberry, has revealed some of the baby names (and trends) that she and the team 'never saw coming' for 2024 - and if you're looking for an unusual option, you'll want to keep reading.

Rising baby names that shocked the experts

1. Chosen

Sophie told Metro: "NFL quarterback Cam Newton used the name for his son back in 2015, which introduced Chosen to the name pool.

"But it remained dormant for almost a decade before really taking off. Chosen is a new favourite among modern spiritual names – a trend that has been picking up steam in the 2020s."

Analysis from Baby Center has shown that spiritual names for girls are also climbing the ranks. 'Peace' rose a whopping 1,985 spots between 2022 and 2023, while 'Merit' rose 421 places.

2. Kayce

Of this unique name, Sophie said its newfound popularity is thanks to Paramount's popular Western drama, Yellowstone. She said, "We knew that Yellowstone favourite Dutton was going to be a big hit, but totally overlooked Kayce.

"Why? It’s a spin on a dated name, Casey, plus, is confusing to spell and pronounce (it’s said like Casey, not Case). But parents proved us wrong – they’ve embraced Kayce almost as much as Dutton."

3. Love

Pop culture fans might associate this name with the cunning Love Quinn from Netflix's hugely popular TV series You. But Sophie says "Parents, well, love Love’s amorous imagery and the ever-stylish V sound."

She added that the name "seemed like a shoe-in" for one of the most popular middle names, but the Nameberry experts were surprised to see it rise through the ranks as a first name too.

4. Neriah

Sophie holds the mononymous indie singer Neriah responsible for the rise in popularity of this Old Testament name.

She said: "We were puzzled to see Neriah - a minor male character in the Old Testament - among the hottest choices for baby girls. Blame the mononymous indie singer Neriah, who is inspiring parents to use her name for their daughters."

5. Anime names

Sophie says that names like Kenji, Kaisen, and even Jiraiya - all of which are related to anime - have seen an increase in popularity in 2024.

She said, "Names from anime and manga tend to be invented choices with character-specific meanings - not the most likely source of inspiration for naming a baby. But parents are increasingly inspired by their own niche interests when naming a baby, including anime."

Looking for more baby name inspiration? We've put together a list of over 180 old fashioned baby names. Check out these cool baby names and some cute baby names too.

Most popular baby names from the past 24 years revealed - but have they stood the test of time, and more importantly would you choose them now?

Ellie Hutchings — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 10:34:39 +0000

We reveal 10 of the most popular baby names from 2000 to 2024 - which is your favourite?

Choosing a baby name is just one of many decisions expectant and new parents have to make, and it's not always an easy one. The latest fashions change all the time, and it's hard to know whether opting for a classic, old fashioned baby name or looking into the latest baby name trends for 2024 will suit your family best.

And as we head into the new year, baby name experts everywhere have been weighing in on what's expected to be hot and what's not, with some surprising findings. We've seen the rise of a Princess Diana inspired baby name, while elsewhere once classic baby names appear to be dying out.

But if you're looking for a name that stands the test of time, Baby Center has also shared a list of the most popular baby names from the last 24 years. These are all the names of boys and girls that held the number one spot from 2000 to the present day...

Most popular baby names from the last 24 years

Emily for girls and Jacob for boys rang in the new millennium as the most popular baby names in 2000.
After three years at the top, Emily was replaced as the top girls name by Emma in 2004, but Jacob still reigned supreme over choices for boys.
In 2005, Jacob joined Emily in the number two spot, replaced by Aidan as the most popular boys name.
Emma was replaced by Sophia, one of the most popular girls names of the past decade, briefly in 2007. But by 2008, Emma was back in the top spot.
In 2009, Emma fell back down to number two on the list of top names for girls, while Isabella took the top spot.
In 2010, Sophia was back at the top again, alongside Aidan.
After eight years as the top boys name, Aidan was usurped by Jackson in 2013.
Sophia and Jackson enjoyed four years at the top of the table together, until Jackson was replaced by Liam in 2019.
In 2021, after over a decade of steadily climbing the ranks, Olivia became the top girls name, while Sophia dropped to number five.
According to Baby Center, Olivia has remained in the top spot since. But in 2023 Noah reached the top spot for boys names, after two years in second place.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

In addition, the Baby Center experts have been hard at work looking at the latest trends. In their round-up of the most popular baby names from the past year, they said, "For the first time in five years, there’s a new top baby boy name, with Noah overtaking Liam for the number one spot. Liam is still in second place, though, and Oliver stayed in third place, the same ranking it held in 2022. This year’s top three baby girl names are a repeat of last year’s, with Olivia, Emma, and Amelia hanging on to spots one, two, and three."

Baby Center's experts also noticed that nine out of the top 10 girl names end in 'a', including Sophia, Isabella, Luna, and Mia, while half of the top 10 boys’ names start with 'L': Liam, Lucas, Levi, Leo, and Luca are all up there.

This once popular baby name trend is going out of fashion, but there's a unisex option that's bucking the trend

ellie.hutchings@futurenet.com (Ellie Hutchings) — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 10:30:52 +0000

Travel might be on the rise, but geographical baby names are down - here are the monikers going out of fashion.

For expectant parents, nailing down your baby's name is an important task - but it's certainly not an easy one. Do you go for one of the coolest baby names or settle on a unique baby name instead? With so many monikers to choose from, it can feel overwhelming.

At GoodtoKnow, we know a thing or two about baby names - including what's trending and what's not. And while taking a look at the most popular baby names of 2023 can provide some inspiration, it can also be helpful to know the names that are falling out of favour.

And we've noticed one particular baby name trend that has dwindled in the past year. According to Baby Center, geographical names are going out of fashion. They note, "Although travel has increased post-pandemic, names associated with popular cities and states around the world are seeing a sharp decline."

They added that names relating to North American states and cities fared the worst, with Cali down 141 spots, Memphis down 78 spots, Phoenix down 46 spots, Aspen down 43 spots and Dakota down 25 spots.

International destinations didn’t fare much better: Sydney is down 121 spots, London is down 56 spots, and Cairo is down 55 spots.

However, there is one name bucking the trend: Milan. The Italian-inspired moniker is up 223 spots for girls and 46 spots for boys. In 2023, Milan peaked at it's highest point in Baby Center's baby name chart (at #460 for girls) and has seen a huge increase in usage over the past 20 years.

In 2003, Baby Center records that the name was given to 76 babies per million, but the figure has since jumped up to 222 babies per million in 2018 (the latest data available).

Geographical baby names for girls

America
Adelaide
Sienna
Florence
Lucia
Savannah
Vienna
Sydney
Virginia
India

Geographical baby names for boys

Caspian
Phoenix
Hudson
Austin
Orlando
Camden
Oslo
Rome
Rio
Kingston

If you're still searching for that perfect baby name, why not give our baby name generator a whirl? You can also find inspiration in the oddest of places, from country music baby names to these priceless millionaire baby names!

This royal-inspired baby name is expected to surge in popularity in 2024 - would you choose it?

ellie.hutchings@futurenet.com (Ellie Hutchings) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 13:01:39 +0000

One expert has revealed the baby names rising in popularity and there's a surprising royal link - can you guess what it is?

For parents expecting a new baby in 2024, choosing a baby name is probably one of the top priorities for the new year. Many will be hoping to settle on a cool baby name that promises to be just as trendy now as when their little one is all grown up, which is why this time of year sees baby name experts everywhere announce their pick of the monikers that are on the rise.

And it looks like royal baby names are in for 2024, because just last month we saw a Princess Diana inspired baby name predicted to surge in popularity, and now we've noticed another regal moniker that's on the rise.

The news comes after mother and baby retailer JoJo Maman Bébé enlisted the help of baby name consultant Colleen Slagen to explore 2023’s most popular names, as well as her predictions for 2024. Colleen noted that the name 'August' for boys has seen a sudden rise in popularity - but do you know the royal link?

August is the name of Princess Eugenie's eldest son, who she shares with businessman Jack Brooksbank. August Philip Hawke Brooksbank - affectionately nicknamed Augie - was born in February 2021 at London's Portland Hospital. He is 12th in the line of succession to the British throne.

Princess Eugenie previously shared that August's name is a tribute to Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, who was born Franz Albert August Karl Emanuel. August's middle name, Philip, is a tribute to Eugenie's grandfather, the late Prince Philip.

According to Baby Centre, August means 'great' or 'revered' and is taken from the Latin word augere, meaning 'to increase'.

The royal moniker sits at number six on expert Colleen Slagen's list of popular boy names, and she has said, "Two names I have my eyes on for 2024 are August and Margot."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Baby Centre, August means 'great' or 'revered' and is taken from the Latin word augere, meaning 'to increase'.

The royal moniker sits at number six on expert Colleen Slagen's list of popular boy names, and she has said, "Two names I have my eyes on for 2024 are August and Margot."

10 boy names that have been rising to popularity in 2023

Rhodes
Cal
Lucien
Dutton
Casey
August
Wells
Sunny
Arlo
Alden

10 girl names that have been rising to popularity in 2023

Collins
Maeve
Margot
Phoebe
Poppy
Goldie
Sunday
Esti
Indie
Frankie

Other baby name trends Coleen predicts will be big next year include names with 'timeless charm' and 'cottage-core' names, as well as gender-neutral names and nicknames as given names.

She said, "We are seeing (and will continue to see) a variety of trends which reflect the name diversity of the newest generations. Trends that are only getting hotter include nature names such as Willow and River or nicknames as given names such as Archie or Sam. Names with traditional and modern elements, for example, surnames such as Finley and Addison are having a huge moment.

"Another up-and-coming trend we are seeing is virtue names, also known as grace names which express cultural values such as Faith, Chastity or Grace. The recent trend of cottage-core which romanticises rural life has impacted name trends, with cottage-core names such as Autumn and Cedar on the rise."

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210 Christmas baby names for boys and girls plus their meanings - we adore #53

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Cute baby names: 150+ choices for boys and girls 2022

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150 middle names and their meanings for boys and girls (our favourite is #54)

These 5 festive foods could increase your fertility - here's what to pile your Christmas dinner plate with if you're trying to conceive

ellie.hutchings@futurenet.com (Ellie Hutchings) — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:30:20 +0000

Could Christmas dinner help you conceive? Apparently so, and these are the five festive foods you should be eating.

It's no secret that more babies are conceived at Christmas, but while many think that's because couples are spending more time cuddled up under the covers during the cold weather, could the festive food we eat be responsible for the autumn baby boom?

That's right, if you're wondering how to increase fertility it turns out your Christmas dinner could be packed with fertility foods that will help to conceive. Improved fertility for both men and women has been associated with diets high in unsaturated fats, whole grains, vegetables, and fish, according to a study published by the scientific journal, Frontiers in Public Health. And with this in mind, fertility specialist at Fertility Family Dr Gill Lockwood has shared her insights into the foods that could help you conceive this Christmas.

So, if you're trying for a baby, make sure to indulge in these five festive foods this year...

Christmas foods to embrace while trying to conceive

1. Turkey

The traditional Christmas turkey is supportive of fertility, thanks to the boost of iron and zinc it provides. For those that don’t like turkey, other lean meats such as beef and lamb offer the same benefits. Alternatively, smoked salmon is another Christmas classic that can help with fertility.

Dr Lockwood explains: "Turkey is the ideal protein source as this favourite Christmas meat is low in fat and high in iron. Not only are a person’s iron stores the only source of iron for their baby’s blood, but people who are iron-deficient or anaemic have lower fertility rates."

Meanwhile, processed meats such as sausages and bacon aren’t as beneficial, meaning pigs in blankets should be enjoyed in moderation.

2. Nuts

Vegetarians and vegans can feast on a nut roast instead of turkey, benefitting from the protein and essential vitamins. If you’re feeling peckish waiting for the next festive meal, walnuts are a great snack, especially for men as they boost sperm vitality. Roasted chestnuts are another winter nut that can be enjoyed for their fertility benefits.

Dr Lockwood says: "Zinc and selenium are vital for the immune system and a deficiency in these has been associated with male factor infertility. Fortunately, high levels of these essential substances are found in Brazil nuts, almonds and cashews, so feel free to nibble on these."

3. Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts - love them or hate them - are a Christmas classic and highly recommended for women trying to conceive. Packed full of folate, these vegetables aid the normal expansion of maternal tissues during pregnancy and help your body create red blood cells.

Women require up to 10 times more folate during pregnancy for a baby to grow healthily, which is why many take fertility supplements such as folic acid.

Dr Lockwood shares where else women can get their folate fix: "Brightly coloured vegetables such as beetroot, red onions and kale, are also good for the immune system and leafy green vegetables (even Brussels sprouts!) are full of folate."

4. Cranberry sauce

Cranberries are packed full of vitamins C, E, K1 and manganese. If you're looking to conceive, help yourself to a generous portion of cranberry sauce with your Christmas dinner this year, and you can boost your vitamin levels by having berries as part of your desserts too.

Dr Lockwood explains: "Cranberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries are packed full of antioxidants, which are associated with protection from cell damage and cell ageing."

5. Cheese boards

Speaking of dessert, cheese boards are a staple at Christmas that’s hard to resist. Whilst indulgent, cheese is great for bones and growing a healthy baby.

Cottage cheese, in particular, can be great for fertility, but that slice of brie won’t do any harm either.

As Dr Lockwood says: "Calcium is vital for good bone health for mum and her growing baby. Full-fat milk, yoghurt, cream and cheese should feature on the festive menu. Some ovulatory disorders have been linked to low cholesterol levels and cholesterol is the basic building block of all the reproductive hormones."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Foods to avoid while trying to conceive

Alcohol
Excess caffeine (no more than two cups of strong coffee or equivalent per day)
Raw eggs
High-mercury fish, such as tuna and mackerel
Trans-fats (hydrogenated oils found in highly processed food and biscuits)
Raw meat

It’s also important to remember that mental health needs to be taken into consideration when trying to improve fertility, and Christmas can be a high-pressure time for many. Co-host of The Fertility Podcast, Natalie Silverman, says:

"We put so much emphasis on our physical health when trying to conceive and little on our mental health, but feeling overwhelmed by everything can have such a big impact. Anything from the stresses of work to unwanted comments from family members and pregnancy announcements on social media can put the body in a heightened state of emergency, meaning it will pump out the stress hormone cortisol which prevents it from working properly.

"Combined with the constant negative chatter you may be telling yourself about what you might be doing wrong in trying to get pregnant – often without realising it – and you begin to get an idea of how important the mind-body connection is."

If you're wondering why you can't get pregnant, we've rounded up 10 possible explanations. We've also spoken to an expert to come up with 8 tips on how to get pregnant as well as how to increase sperm count.

20 lesser-known floral baby names (we're looking at you, Linden) predicted to be big in 2024 - but would you choose them?

Anna Bailey — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 11:04:06 +0000

Florals are in for 2024, and not just on clothing. These baby names are expected to surge in popularity next year...

For expectant parents, choosing a baby name is often priority number one on the to-do list after finding out about the pregnancy. It can feel like a lot of pressure to get the name just right for your bundle of joy - after all, they'll probably have it for the rest of their life.

Going for a classic option with enduring appeal is often the route parents take, and some of the most popular baby names out there are flower baby names and nature baby names. Over the years they have continued to blossom and bloom, with Lilys, Roses and Daisies often appearing on the school register.

And this trend is predicted to continue in 2024, but for parents after more of a unique baby name for their new arrival, there are a few lesser-known options expected to be big next year. After analysing historical ONS data dating back to 1906, flower delivery service Eflorist has predicted the top 20 floral-inspired names for baby girls and boys in 2024.

The top three names for girls are Juniper, Azalea and Blossom, while the top predictions for boys are Orion, Rowan and Ren. Keep reading to see the full list of floral-inspired baby names that Eflorist are expecting to see rise in 2024.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Top 10 floral-themed girls names for 2024

Juniper
Azalea
Blossom
Poppy
Lily
Daisy
Jasmine
Rose
Indigo
Violet

Top 10 floral-themed boys names for 2024

Orion
Rowan
Ren
Jared
Florian
Basil
Linden
Cedar
Thorn
Hollis

David Denyer, Flower Expert at Eflorist, commented on the name predictions, saying: "From looking into historical trends, we can see a clear connection with parents being increasingly drawn to names that evoke a sense of beauty and individuality.

"Each name carries its own unique story, and we anticipate these floral-inspired names to blossom not only in popularity, but also in the hearts of new parents who want a meaningful name for their little ones.

"These 2024 predictions reflect a trend towards meaningful names that carry a connection to the beauty of the natural world, and we are sure to expect to see more flower-themed names blossoming in years to come."

Top girl's name Juniper means 'young' or 'evergreen', while in Ancient Norse tradition juniper was used for healing and purification purposes, making it a strong name for a baby girl.

Meanwhile, Azalea is a symbol of abundance and Blossom symbolises new beginnings and beauty.

Top boy's name Orion is associated with good health and happiness, while second place Rowan is a flower which traditionally was used for protection. In Celtic mythology, it is known as the ‘tree of life’ and inspires courage and wisdom.

Ren also has a beautiful meaning - in Japanese culture, it's the Buddhist symbol of perfection and purity, while in many other cultures, it's used as a symbol of good luck and fortune.

This baby name is giving 'retro chic' vibes and it's predicted to be a top choice for parents in 2024 – would you choose it?

daniella.gray@futurenet.com (Daniella Gray) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:28:10 +0000

Parents-to-be will no doubt rifling through the endless lists of baby names for their new addition before they arrive – and this one is predicted to be a popular choice for 2024.

Choosing a name for your baby comes with all sorts of emotional weight – cool baby names might give your kid a popular edge, but if you’re expecting in December, finding the most popular festive baby names might suit the time of year perfectly.

You certainly won’t be short of inspiration. Girls' names, in particular, tend to go in and out of fashion compared to the more timeless options for boys, such as Thomas, Henry, Samuel and George.

Expectant parents will know all too well how difficult it is to find the perfect name for their baby, so to help narrow the search, we’ve kept an eye on the top baby names trends for the year ahead.

One name that’s predicted to be a top choice for parents in 2024 is Nellie. Derived from the names Eleanor or Helen, it shares its origins with Nelly, which has roots in different languages, including Greek and French.

Eleanor comes from the Provençal name Aliénor, derived from the Greek name Helenē, meaning light or torch. Over time, Nellie emerged as an affectionate and shortened version of these longer names.

The name Nellie has been climbing in popularity since 2022, and is up 121 places from parents naming their child this sweet-sounding moniker, according to data from BabyCenter.

Baby girl raising her hand trying to touch the cot mobile (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to parenting and fertility site The Bump, the name Nellie has a “whimsically divine vibe” and “exudes nostalgic charm”, so if you’re on the hunt for a name that adds a sense of individuality for your baby girl, this could be the one.

Whimsical baby names often stray from traditional choices, embracing uniqueness, creativity and even a touch of fantasy. They might draw inspiration from nature, mythology, literature or even fictional characters, so if you’re considering Nellie – or any other whimsical name – make sure it resonates with both parents.

Other baby name trends to watch for 2024 are girls names for boys, atmospheric names such as Aura, Lumi and Rain, and ‘main character energy’ names, according to Nameberry.

Personal preferences, the sound of the name, its uniqueness and potential teasing or mispronunciations are also factors to think about when naming your baby, so take your time and really think about how it will sound in years to come.

For more inspiration, take a look at our suite of cute baby names that are oh-so adorable and the unique baby names that are on the rise.

This baby name is giving 'old gentleman' vibes and new parents are loving it - would you choose it?

ellie.hutchings@futurenet.com (Ellie Hutchings) — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 10:16:42 +0000

One boys' name is seeing a surge in popularity - and it's giving 'old gentlemen' vibes.

As any parent knows, choosing a baby name is no easy task. Whatever option you go for, that name will be your child's for life, so the pressure is on to choose one that fits your family just right.

There are so many to pick from, but sometimes the best options are those that have stood the test of time. And as old-fashioned baby names are starting to make a comeback, these previously unpopular baby names are getting more and more traction among new parents.

We've already seen that 'old lady' baby names are on the up, and now it seems that one baby name reminiscent of 'old gentlemen' is coming back into fashion too.

According to Baby Centre, the name 'Abe' has climbed 819 places in the list of popular baby names since 2022, now ranking number 1,734 on the list. A form of 'Abraham', 'Abe' is Hebrew in origin, and means 'father of a multitude'.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Data from Baby Centre shows that the name was a popular choice in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with the number of babies named Abe peaking in 1898, when 546 babies per million were given the name.

Since then, Abe has seen a sharp decline, reaching its lowest usage in 1992 and 1993, when just nine babies per million were given the name each year. Now, however, the old-fashioned moniker is on the up.

The resurgence in popularity seems to be part of a wider trend too, as Baby Centre has revealed that shortened versions of names appear to be taking over their longer counterparts.

Names like Leo (number eight) and Theo (number 20) have risen in popularity, and now out rank the names they were derived from: Leonardo (number 141) and Theodore (number 38).

Meanwhile, Nameberry has picked out the top 'old man names' that have come back into fashion in recent years.

20 'old man' names that are coming back into fashion

Theodore
Silas
Otto
Cyrus
Otis
Arthur
Louis
Archie
Gideon
Casper
Harvey
Ezekiel
Rueben
Ignatius
Calvin
Rupert
Bartholomew
Frederick
Ralph
Orson

Looking for more baby name inspiration? Check out these Christmas baby names, our list of 64 millionaire baby names and this huge list of 150 middle names too.

A Princess Diana inspired baby name is set to be popular in 2024 - and it's kind of surprised us

ellie.hutchings@futurenet.com (Ellie Hutchings) — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:42:35 +0000

An American baby name expert predicts a surprising baby name trend for 2024 - and one of her picks has a royal link.

Choosing a baby name can be daunting for parents-to-be. There are so many options and trends don't stick around for long, with old-fashioned baby names making a comeback and cool baby names changing all the time.

The quest for a baby name that fits your family just right certainly isn't easy, but for fans of royal baby names, we've spotted a trend that experts claim will be big in 2024 - and it has a surprising royal link.

Steph Coffield, a name consultant, author and content creator recently predicted that 'surnames as first names' will be a popular trend in 2024. And one of the names she mentioned was Spencer - which is also the maiden name of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The Spencer family is an aristocratic family in the United Kingdom, and other notable members of the family include Sir Winston Churchill. Diana was the daughter of John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer.

According to babynames.com, the first name 'Spencer' means 'Butler' or Steward'.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Steph also predicts that Spencer will become a popular name for girls next year, as gender-neutral baby names are set to be a big trend in 2024. On TikTok, where she goes by @nameswithsteph, she said, "I'm seeing a lot of whimsical, gender-neutral surnames being given as first names. We're seeing girls' names becoming more masculine and boys' names becoming softer too.

"Some parents will come to me asking for one that works for a boy and a girl ahead of time, then they can stick with it, whatever the gender."

Other 'surnames as first names' that Steph predicted will remain popular include Cameron, Campbell, and Carter for boys - adding, "everyone loves a C name" - and Maddison for girls.

However, she also predicted that parents will be "more adventurous" with their choices in 2024, and suggested names like Fisher, Huxley, and Ridley becoming more popular next year.

Steph's predictions: Popular girl's names in 2024

Collins
Juniper
Sloane
Maddison
Spencer
Annie
Cecelila
Margaret

Steph's predictions: Popular boy's names in 2024

Cameron
Carter
Colter
Waylon
Campbell
Harrison
Nathaniel
Vincent

Looking for more baby name inspiration? Check out these Christmas baby names, our list of 64 millionaire baby names and this huge list of 150 middle names too.

150 middle names and their meanings for boys and girls (our favourite is #54)

Joanne Lewsley — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 07:27:19 +0000

As middle names go - the more unique the better. Deciding on one is an exciting part of preparing for your new arrival. With so many common middle names though, finding an original one can be tough, but we've got you covered.

You're in luck, not only is Goodto the place for unique baby names, but we've also gone and researched plenty of unique middle monikers that will complement whatever you've chosen for your baby's first name. From Axel to Xavier, Alma to Yvonne, long gone are the days when Jane and Louise, or Edward and James, seemed to be the go-to choices. We have now found you 150 gorgeous names to choose from.

Browse our expert naming content to find names to cherish, including luxurious baby names, and names inspired by the natural world. Plus, discover which names are falling out of fashion.

Family editor at Goodto Stephanie Lowe tells us, "I don't have a middle name, no one ever believes me - they think I do but it's just really embarrassing - but I really don't. I remember always wanting Jane to be my middle name, but now I've seen these, I reckon Brier would definitely be my choice."

For middle name inspiration scroll down to find the most popular middle names in the UK for boys and girls.

How to choose a unique middle name

Once you've chosen that all-important first name, picking a second name may seem like a lesser exercise, but it can be just as significant, says Laura Wattenberg, founder of Namerology. "Unless you're planning to treat the two names as a single whole, like "Ella-Rose," the first and middle are fundamentally different. Only the first name becomes the child's everyday identity. So rather than choosing the middle name as merely a runner-up in the baby name contest, it's worth thinking about other roles it can play."

Both Laura and Pamela Redmond, founder of Nameberry, point out that many families use the middle name to honour family members. "Some parents might use a family surname in the middle, so both parents are represented in the child's name," says Pamela.

"Flow was once the prime consideration when it came to middle names, with middle names like Ann, Lee, Lynn and James acting as a euphonic bridge between first name and last," says Pamela. "This still happens today, with the hottest middle name choices including Rose and Grace for girls, Lee or John for boys, James for both."

However, some parents are going against the flow, says Laura. "Thinking ahead, a middle name with a contrasting style can be a change-of-pace alternative to give your child flexibility."

Pamela notes a trend taking off among younger parents and celebrities of choosing unique middle names that push gender boundaries. "This started with girls getting masculine middle names like James, usually honouring a family member, but it's starting to take off for boys too, for example, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky's baby boy Riot Rose. It's a feminist statement, a new way to invest your child's name with gender neutrality, and it also makes the name very individual."

The middle name is a great place to use names that are personally significant but that you wouldn’t put in first place because they’re too unusual. "This can be anything from your favourite flower to the city where you spent your honeymoon or a word representing a quality you value, like Justice or Peace," says Pamela. "Celebrities in recent years have used such middle names as Nightingale, Blue, Rebel, Love, Presley, Snow and Wildflower."

Middle names for boys and girls

Unique middle names for boys

Aaron Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: AR-ən Meaning: Aaron was the older brother of Moses in the Old Testament. His name means "exalted, high mountain."
Abel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: AY-bel Meaning: In the Bible, Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve, who was killed by his jealous brother Cain. His name means "breath, vapour."
Alexander Origin: Greek | Style: Royal | Pronunciation: al-eg-ZAN-der Meaning: Alexander the Great conquered much of Asia. His name means "defending men."
Andrew Origin: Greek | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: AN-droo Meaning: Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. His name means "manly, warrior."
Anthony Origin: Latin | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: AN-thə-nee Meaning: Derived from a Roman clan name, Anthony means "priceless one."
Archer Origin: English | Style: Word Name | Pronunciation: AR-chər Meaning: Archer comes from the English word for a bowman or skilled archer.
Arthur Origin: Celtic | Style: Legendary | Pronunciation: AR-thər Meaning: King Arthur was the legendary leader of the Knights of the Round Table. His name means "bear."
Asher Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: A-shər Meaning: Asher was one of the twelve tribes of Israel in the Bible. It means "happy, blessed."
Atlas Origin: Greek | Style: Mythological | Pronunciation: AT-ləs Meaning: In Greek myth, Atlas held up the sky. His name means "to bear or endure."
Aubrey Origin: German | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: AW-bree Meaning: Aubrey is derived from the German Alberich, meaning "elf ruler".
August Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: uh-GUHST Meaning: August comes from the Roman name Augustus, meaning "exalted, venerable."
Axel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: AK-səl Meaning: Axel came into use as a Scandinavian form of the Biblical Absalom, meaning "father is peace."
Bernard Origin: German | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: bur-NARD Meaning: Bernard means "strong, brave bear" in Old German. Saint Bernard was a 12th-century monk.
Callum Origin: Gaelic | Style: Scottish | Pronunciation: KAL-əm Meaning: Callum is the Scottish form of Columba, meaning "dove."
Carter Origin: English | Style: Occupational | Pronunciation: KAHR-ter Meaning: Carter is an English surname meaning "transporter of goods by cart."
Colton Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: KOHL-tən Meaning: Colton comes from an English surname referring to someone who lived in a coal or dark town.
Cooper Origin: English | Style: Occupational | Pronunciation: KOO-per Meaning: Cooper is an English surname for a barrel maker.
Easton Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: EE-stən Meaning: Easton comes from a surname meaning someone who lived east of a settlement or monastery.
Emmett Origin: Hebrew | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: EM-it Meaning: Emmett is a Hebrew name meaning "universal."
Evelyn Origin: English | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: EV-ə-lin Meaning: Evelyn was originally a medieval male name that became feminized. It means "wished for child."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Ezekiel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: i-ZEE-kee-əl Meaning: Ezekiel was an Old Testament prophet whose name means "God strengthens."
Ezra Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: EZ-rə Meaning: Ezra appears in the Old Testament as a scribe and priest. His name is Hebrew for "help."
Felix Origin: Latin | Style: Ancient | Pronunciation: FEE-liks Meaning: Felix is a Latin name meaning "happy" or "fortunate."
Finn Origin: Irish | Style: Gaelic | Pronunciation: FIN Meaning: Finn was a mythical Irish hero and leader of the Fianna warriors. His name means "fair, white."
Fletcher Origin: English | Style: Occupational | Pronunciation: FLECH-er Meaning: Fletcher is an English surname for an arrow-maker.
Flynn Origin: Irish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: FLIN Meaning: Flynn is an Irish surname possibly derived from the word for "red-haired" in Gaelic.
Frederick Origin: German | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: FRED-ə-rik Meaning: Frederick comes from the Germanic elements frid, meaning "peace," and ric, meaning "ruler, power."
Gabriel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: GAY-bree-əl Meaning: Gabriel was the angel who heralded the news of Jesus' birth. His name means "God is my strength."
Gael Origin: Celtic | Style: International | Pronunciation: GAY-əl Meaning: Gael is an Irish name referring to someone from Gaelic or Celtic regions.
Grayson Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: GRAY-sən Meaning: Grayson originated as a surname referring to the "son of the steward."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Hank Origin: English | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: hank Meaning: Hank is a short form of Henry, meaning "estate ruler." It has an old-fashioned cowboy feel.
Hudson Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: HUD-sən Meaning: Hudson comes from a surname meaning "Hugh's son."
Jasper Origin: Persian | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: JAS-pər Meaning: Jasper is a Persian name for a colourful gemstone with stripe or spot patterns.
Jesse Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: JES-ee Meaning: Jesse was the father of David in the Old Testament. His name means "gift."
Jonah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: JOE-nə Meaning: In the Bible, Jonah survived being swallowed by a whale. His name means "dove."
Jude Origin: Latin | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: jood Meaning: Jude is a New Testament name. It means "praised."
Kai Origin: Hawaiian | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: kie Meaning: Kai is a Hawaiian name meaning "sea."
Kingston Origin: English | Style: Trendy | Pronunciation: king-stən Meaning: Kingston is an English place name meaning "king's settlement."
Kit Origin: English | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: kit Meaning: Kit is a medieval diminutive of Christopher, meaning "bearer of Christ."
Knox Origin: Scottish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: nahks Meaning: Knox comes from a Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "round hill."
Levi Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: LEE-vie Meaning: Levi was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His name can mean "joined, attached."
Lincoln Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: LINK-ən Meaning: Lincoln evolved from an English surname for someone from the city of Lincoln, meaning "settlement by the pool."
Luca Origin: Latin | Style: International | Pronunciation: LOO-kə Meaning: Luca is an Italian and Spanish form of the Roman name Lucius, meaning "man from Lucania."
Macks Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: maks Meaning: Macks is a shortened form of Maxwell, an English surname meaning "Mack's stream."
Mateo Origin: Spanish | Style: International | Pronunciation: mah-TAY-o Meaning: Mateo is the Spanish form of Matthew meaning "gift of God."
Maverick Origin: English | Style: Cowboy | Pronunciation: MAV-ə-rik Meaning: Maverick comes from a Texan surname for an unbranded calf. It connotes independence.
Micah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: MIE-kə Meaning: Micah is a Hebrew name meaning "Who is like God?" He was an Old Testament prophet.
Miles Origin: English | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: milez Meaning: Miles is an English form of the Slavic name Milan, meaning "gracious" or "dear."
Mpaso Origin: African | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: em-PAH-so Meaning: Mpaso is thought to be used as a first name, middle name or surname and means “gift from God.”
Murray Origin: Scottish | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: MER-ee Meaning: Murray is a Scottish surname derived from a place name meaning "seaside settlement."
Nico Origin: Italian | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: NEE-koh Meaning: Nico is a gender-neutral name of Italian origin. Being the Italian, shortened version of the Greek Nicholas, this name has power through tradition. It means “victory of the people.”
Nolan Origin: Irish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: NOH-lən Meaning: Nolan is an Irish surname derived from nuall meaning "champion, famous."
Otis Origin: German | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: OH-tis Meaning: Otis is an old Germanic name possibly meaning "wealth" or "godly."
Otto Origin: German | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: AWT-oh Meaning: Otto is an ancient Germanic name derived from aud, meaning "wealth and fortune."
Ozzy Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: OZ-ee Meaning: Ozzy is a modern nickname that originated as a short form of names like Oswald or Osborne.
Randall Origin: German | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: RAN-dəl Meaning: Randall evolved from a Germanic name meaning "rim wolf" or "shield wolf."
Rhys Origin: Welsh | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: reece Meaning: Rhys is a Welsh name meaning "ardour or enthusiasm."
Roman Origin: Latin | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: RO-mən Meaning: Roman is derived from the name of the ancient city of Rome, meaning "citizen of Rome."
Samuel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: SAM-yoo-əl Meaning: Samuel was a Hebrew prophet and judge in the Old Testament. His name means "God has heard."
Sawyer Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: SAW-yər Meaning: Sawyer is an occupational name referring to someone who saws wood.

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Sebastian Origin: Greek | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: sə-BAS-chən Meaning: Sebastian was a 3rd-century martyr. His name comes from the Greek sebastos, meaning "revered."
Sigmund Origin: German | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: SIG-muhnd Meaning: Sigmund comes from old German elements meaning "victorious protector."
Silas Origin: Latin | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: SIE-ləs Meaning: Silas was an early Christian leader mentioned in the New Testament. His name meant "wood, forest" in Latin.
Sonny Origin: American | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: SUN-ee Meaning: Sonny is an American diminutive. It connotes warmth and friendliness.
Victor Origin: Latin | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: VIK-tər Meaning: Victor comes from a Roman name meaning "conqueror," from the Latin vincere.
Vincent Origin: Latin | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: VIN-sənt Meaning: Vincent is from the Roman name Vincentius meaning "conquering."
Virgil Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: VIV-ee-ən Meaning: Vivian comes from the Latin vivus meaning "alive." It was used for both genders historically.
Vivian Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: VIV-ee-ən Meaning: Vivian comes from the Latin vivus meaning "alive." It was used for both genders historically.
Walker Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: WAWK-er Meaning: Walker comes from an English surname for someone who walked or fuller cloth.
Walter Origin: German | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: WAHL-ter Meaning: Walter comes from Germanic elements meaning "army" and "ruler."
Weston Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: WES-tən Meaning: Weston was an English surname for someone from the western town or settlement.
Wyatt Origin: English | Style: Cowboy | Pronunciation: WIE-ət Meaning: Wyatt was an English surname referring to a brave warrior.
Xavier Origin: Basque | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: ZAY-vee-ər Meaning: Xavier comes from the Basque place name Etxaberri, meaning "the new house."
Zachary Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: ZAK-ə-ree Meaning: Zachary was the father of John the Baptist in the Bible. His name means "God has remembered."

Unique middle names for girls

Ada Origin: German | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: eh-dah Meaning: Shortened from the German name adalberta which is from the Old High German adal, meaning "noble". Can also be a shortened version of Adele and Adelaide.
Alessia Origin: Italian | Style: International | Pronunciation: ah-LEH-see-uh Meaning: Feminine form of Alessio, the Italian form of Alexius, derived from Greek alexein meaning "to defend."
Alma Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: AL-mah Meaning: Alma is a Latin name meaning "nourishing" or "kind."
Amalia Origin: German | Style: International | Pronunciation: ah-MAH-lee-ah Meaning: Amalia is a variation of Amelia that originated in Germany and Scandinavia. It means "work."
Amara Origin: African | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ah-MAH-rah Meaning: Amara is an Igbo name meaning "grace" in the Nigerian language.
Amelia Origin: German | Style: Literary | Pronunciation: ah-MEE-lee-ah Meaning: The name Amelia was created for Henry Fielding's novel Amelia. It means "work."
Angelique Origin: French | Style: Romantic | Pronunciation: ahn-zhuh-LEEK Meaning: Angelique is a French feminine form of Angelicus, meaning "angelic."
Arabella Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: air-uh-BEL-uh Meaning: Arabella may come from the Latin orabilis meaning "invokable." It was coined in the 17th century.
Aria Origin: Hebrew/Italian | Style: Musical | Pronunciation: AR-ee-uh Meaning: Aria can mean "lioness of God" in Hebrew or is an Italian word for a melody.
Astrid Origin: Norse | Style: Mythic | Pronunciation: AS-treed Meaning: Astrid comes from Old Norse elements meaning "divinely beautiful."
Aurelia Origin: Latin | Style: Ancient | Pronunciation: aw-REEL-yah Meaning: Aurelia was the name of a Roman goddess and noble family. It means "golden."
Aurora Origin: Latin | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: ə-RAWR-ə Meaning: Aurora was the Roman goddess of the dawn.
Ava Origin: Latin | Style: Simple | Pronunciation: AY-və Meaning: Though it originated as a medieval variant of Eva, Ava feels like a modern invention. It means "like a bird."
Avalon Origin: Arthurian | Style: Mythic | Pronunciation: AV-uh-lahn Meaning: In Arthurian legend, Avalon was a mythical island associated with Morgan le Fay.
Bailey Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: BAY-lee Meaning: Bailey comes from an English surname meaning "bailiff." It can be used for boys or girls.

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Birdie Origin: English | Style: Cute | Pronunciation: BUR-dee Meaning: Birdie is a modern invented name inspired by the bird.
Brier Origin: English | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: BR-eye-er Meaning: Brier is an English nature name referring to a prickly wild shrub with fragrant flowers.
Brooke Origin: English | Style: Romantic | Pronunciation: brook Meaning: Brooke is derived from an English surname meaning "small stream."
Camila Origin: Latin | Style: International | Pronunciation: kah-MEE-lah Meaning: Camila is the Spanish and Portuguese form of Camilla, meaning "young ceremonial attendant."
Charlotte Origin: French | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: SHAHR-lət Meaning: Charlotte, meaning "free man," has a lovely French flair.
Clara Origin: Latin | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: KLAR-ə Meaning: Clara is the feminine form of the Late Latin name Clarus, meaning "bright, clear."
Clementine Origin: French | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: KLEM-en-teen Meaning: Clementine is the feminine form of Clement, derived from the Latin clemens meaning "merciful."
Delilah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: də-LIE-lə Meaning: In the Bible, Delilah betrayed Samson. The name may mean "delicate, weak."
Delphine Origin: Greek | Style: Mythic | Pronunciation: del-FEEN Meaning: Delphine comes from Delphi, the ancient Greek city known for its oracle.
Dulcie Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: DUL-see Meaning: Dulcie developed as a medieval variant of the Latin Dulcis, meaning "sweet."
Eleanor Origin: Greek | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: EL-ə-nər Meaning: Eleanor was the name of queens of England and Aquitaine. It means "light."
Eloise Origin: French | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: EL-ə-weez Meaning: Eloise is thought to be a French form of Aloysius, meaning "famous warrior."
Estella Origin: Latin | Style: Literary | Pronunciation: eh-STEL-ah Meaning: Estella was created by Charles Dickens for the heroine of Great Expectations.
Evelyn Origin: English | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: EV-ə-lin Meaning: Evelyn was originally a medieval male name that became feminized. It means "wished for child."
Everly Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: EV-er-lee Meaning: Everly is a modern invented name possibly based on the surname Everley, meaning "boar meadow."

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Faye Origin: French | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: fay Meaning: Faye is a modern spelling of the Middle English Faie, meaning "fairy."
Flora Origin: Latin | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: FLO-rə Meaning: Flora comes from the Latin word for "flower." In Roman myth, Flora was the goddess of spring.
Grace Origin: English | Style: Virtue | Pronunciation: grayss Meaning: Grace is an English virtue name referring to the Christian concept of divine grace and mercy.
Halo Origin: Greek | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: HAY-loh Meaning: A halo is a ring of light around the sun or moon. Halo is also an angelic term.
Harper Origin: English | Style: Occupational | Pronunciation: HAR-pər Meaning: Harper comes from the English word for a harp player.
Hazel Origin: English | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: HAY-zəl Meaning: The hazel is a tree with yellow flowers and edible nuts.
Josephine Origin: French | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: JO-sə-feen Meaning: Josephine is the French feminine form of Joseph, meaning "God will add."
Jude Origin: Latin | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: jood Meaning: Jude is a New Testament name. It means "praised."
Juliana Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: joo-lee-AHN-ah Meaning: Juliana is a feminine form of Julian, meaning "youthful, downy beard."
Leah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: LEE-ə Meaning: In the Old Testament, Leah was the first wife of Jacob. Her name means "weary."
Lia Origin: Italian | Style: International | Pronunciation: LEE-ah Meaning: Lia is an Italian diminutive of names ending in -lia, such as Amelia.
Luna Origin: Latin | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: LOO-nə Meaning: In Roman myth, Luna was the goddess of the moon.
Lyla Origin: Arabic | Style: Global | Pronunciation: LIE-lə Meaning: Lyla is a spelling variant of Laila, meaning "night" in Arabic.
Lyra Style: Musical | Pronunciation: LIE-rə Meaning: Lyra refers to the small harp-like instrument and the constellation.
Mae Origin: Diminutive | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: may Meaning: Mae is a short form of names containing "May" like Mary or Margaret. It means "bitter, pearl."
Maeve Origin: Irish | Style: Mythic | Pronunciation: MAYV Meaning: In Irish legend, Maeve was a warrior queen. Her name means "she who intoxicates."
Malia Origin: Hawaiian | Style: Global | Pronunciation: MAH-lee-ah Meaning: Malia is the Hawaiian form of Mary. It also means "beloved" in Swahili.
Mia Origin: Scandinavian | Style: Cute | Pronunciation: MEE-ə Meaning: Mia originated as a Scandinavian nickname for Marie. It also means "mine" in Italian.
Murphy Origin: Irish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: MUR-fee Meaning: Murphy is an Irish surname meaning "sea warrior." It has recently come into use for girls.
Noa Origin: Hebrew | Style: Global | Pronunciation: NO-ə Meaning: Noa is a feminine Hebrew name meaning "motion."
Nora Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: NOR-ə Meaning: Nora is derived from Honora, an Irish form of the Latin Honoria, meaning "woman of honour."
Nyra Origin: Swahili | Style: Global | Pronunciation: nie-RAH Meaning: Nyra is a Swahili name meaning "shine, glisten." It is found mostly in East Africa.
Ocean Origin: English | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: OH-shun Meaning: Ocean refers to the sea, the largest body of water on earth.
Ophelia Origin: Greek | Style: Literary | Pronunciation: oh-FEEL-yah Meaning: Ophelia was the tragic character in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Her name means "help."
Paisley Origin: Scottish | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: PAYZ-lee Meaning: Paisley is a Scottish place name derived from the French for "church" and "cemetery."
Parker Origin: English | Style: Unisex | Pronunciation: PAR-kər Meaning: Parker is an Old English occupational surname meaning "keeper of the park."
Pearl Origin: English | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: purl Meaning: Pearl is named for the silvery-white gemstone formed in oysters.
Penelope Origin: Greek | Style: Literary | Pronunciation: pə-NEL-ə-pee Meaning: In Homer's Odyssey, Penelope was the wife of Odysseus. Her name means "weaver."
Persephone Origin: Greek | Style: Mythic | Pronunciation: per-SEF-uh-nee Meaning: In Greek myth, Persephone was the daughter of Demeter who became queen of the underworld.
Quinn Origin: Gaelic/English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: kwin Meaning: Quinn has origins as an Irish surname and an Anglicization of the Gaelic word for "counsel."
Raya Origin: Hebrew | Style: Global | Pronunciation: RIE-yə Meaning: Raya is a modern spelling of Rayah, a Hebrew name meaning "friend."

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Remi Origin: French | Style: Unisex | Pronunciation: REH-mee Meaning: Remi is a French diminutive of names containing remi, meaning "oarsman."
Riley Origin: Gaelic/English | Style: Unisex | Pronunciation: RY-lee Meaning: Riley originated as an Irish surname, derived from the male name Reilly.
River Origin: English | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: RIV-ər Meaning: River refers to a flowing body of water. It can be used for both genders.
Rosalia Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: roh-ZAYL-yuh Meaning: Rosalia is an elaboration of Rosa, meaning "rose" in Latin.
Rose Origin: Latin | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: rohz Meaning: Rose is named for the rose flower. It has endured as a classic name.
Rowan Origin: Gaelic | Style: Unisex | Pronunciation: ROH-ən Meaning: Rowan is an Irish name for the mountain ash tree with red berries.
Ruby Origin: Latin | Style: Jewel | Pronunciation: ROO-bee Meaning: Ruby comes from the name of the red gemstone, which is the birthstone for July.
Sage Origin: English | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: sayj Meaning: Sage is a herb name referring to the culinary herb. It also means "wise" and "prophet."
Scarlett Origin: English | Style: Romantic | Pronunciation: SKAHR-lit Meaning: Scarlett is an English name that conjures up vivacious Southern belles.
Stella Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: STEL-ə Meaning: Stella is a Latin name meaning "star." It was created by the 16th-century poet Sir Philip Sidney.
Theodora Origin: Greek | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: thee-oh-DOR-ah Meaning: Theodora is the feminine form of Theodore meaning "gift of God."
Violet Origin: English | Style: Nature | Pronunciation: VIE-lət Meaning: Violet is derived from the purple flower of the same name. It symbolizes modesty.
Vivian Origin: Latin | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: VIV-ee-ən Meaning: Vivian comes from the Latin vivus meaning "alive." It was used for both genders historically.
Wren Origin: English | Style: Cute | Pronunciation: ren Meaning: The wren is a small brown songbird. Wren has become a popular short form name.
Yvonne Origin: French| Style: Classic| Pronunciation: ee-VON Meaning: Yvonne is the feminine form of the French male name Yvon, which is derived from Yves. Yves is the French form of the name Ivo, which ultimately comes from the Germanic name Ivo meaning "yew tree."

What are the most popular middle names?

Unfortunately, the Office for National Statistics doesn't collect data on middle names for its annual release of the most popular baby names in the UK. However, in a survey conducted by Ancestry UK the most popular middle names for girls and boys in the UK have been revealed.

The 10 most popular girls' middle names

Louise
Rose
Grace
Jane
Elizabeth
Ann/Anne
May/Mae
Marie
Mary
Amy or Katherine
Victoria or Kate

The 10 most popular boys' middle names

James
John
William
Thomas
David
Robert
Edward
Peter or Lee
Christopher or Alexander
Michael or Daniel

Still stumped? Why not let us do all the hard work for you, with our baby name generator. Or perhaps you know the genre you're after, and country baby names are where your heart lies. If you've registered your baby's name already but (gulp) you've changed your mind, take a tip from these celebrities who changed their baby's names.

Names starting with Z - we share 200+ boy and girl names from Zora to Zephyr

Joanne Lewsley — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 06:26:27 +0000

Names starting with Z can be so unusual and fun. We know that choosing the perfect name can be a tricky task, especially if you have your heart set on certain initials or letters. We've researched 200 baby names beginning with Z. If that's your initial of choice - enjoy scrolling.

Whether you're after a popular baby name, popular French name, or an unusual choice, we've got hundreds of options to choose from below for boys and girls. Plus, check out our top names from the last 100 years for a classic, timeless moniker.

"Z is the least commonly used letter in the alphabet, so baby names beginning with Z are often overlooked by most parents-to-be, making them really unique," says Kirsty Douglas, Parenting Expert at Kiddies Kingdom. "Choosing a name starting with Z will help your child to stand out, and there are so many lovely options to pick from."

Keep scrolling to find 200 gorgeous baby names beginning with 'Z', including famous 'Z' names and unusual female names beginning with 'Z'. Plus, we've got tips on what to avoid when choosing a baby name and how much time you have to decide before registering your baby's name.

Dad Rocco tells us, "When my wife and I found out we were having a boy, we thought choosing a name would be easy, but we struggled to agree on any name except those starting with the letter Z. We debated options like Zachary, Zayden, Zander, and Zion but didn't love any of them. Finally, we came across Zephyr and both loved the unique sound and meaning. The Z name helped us find the perfect fit for our son after a long naming journey, and now that he's here we can't picture him as anything but Zephyr."

Names starting with Z

Names for boys beginning with the letter 'Z'

Zaccai Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: zuh-KY| Meaning The name Zaccai is of Hebrew origin and is relatively rare. It is derived from the Hebrew name Zakkai, which means pure or innocent. This name conveys the idea of someone who is morally upright and free from guilt or wrongdoing. Zaccai can also be seen as a variant or alternate spelling of Zakkai.
Zachariah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: zak-uh-RYE-uh | Meaning: From the Hebrew name Zechariah which means Yahweh remembers. In the bible, Zechariah was a prophet and the father of John the Baptist.
Zacharias Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: zak-uh-RYE-uhs | Meaning: The name Zacharius is a variant spelling of the name Zacharias or Zechariah.
Zachary Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: ZAK-uh-ree | Meaning: Zachary is a variant of the name Zechariah and shares the same fundamental meaning. It has been a popular name for centuries due to its biblical origins and positive connotations of divine remembrance and protection. Zachary is the only Z-name that has been consistently in the top 100 baby boys’ names from the ONS since 2006.
Zachery Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical Variant | Pronunciation: ZAK-uh-ree | Meaning: Zachery is essentially an alternate spelling of Zachary, and both names carry the same biblical and spiritual significance.
Zack Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical Short Form | Pronunciation: ZAK | Meaning: A shortening of Zachery, Zacharias or even Issac or Isaiah, Zack carries the meaning of God's saving grace or salvation.
Zackary Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical Variant | Pronunciation: ZAK-uh-ree | Meaning: Zachary is essentially an alternate spelling of Zachery, and both names carry the same biblical and spiritual significance.
Zackery Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical Variant | Pronunciation: ZAK-uh-ree | Meaning: Zackery is an alternate spelling of Zachery or Zackary, and both names carry the same biblical and spiritual significance.
Zade Origin: Persian | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: ZAYD | Meaning: The Persian name Zade is often used as a suffix in Persian names, and its meaning is related to lineage or offspring. It indicates someone who is born of or descended from a particular person or family.
Zaden Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAY-den | Meaning: A modern invented name that builds on the popularity of Jaden, Aiden and Braden. It could also be used as a modern spelling of Zaidan or Zaiden, which means to grow or prosper.
Zadian Origin: American | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zay-DEE-en | Meaning: An invented modern name.
Zafar Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAH-far | Meaning: Zafar means victory or triumph in Arabic. It signifies success and achievement.
Zaid Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAYD | Meaning: Zaid means growth, abundance, or to prosper in Arabic. It is derived from the Arabic root word z-w-d, which is associated with growth and progress.
Zaidan Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zay-DAHN | Meaning: Variant of the name Zaid meaning to increase, or to grow.
Zaiden Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAY-den | Meaning: Variant of the name Zaid meaning to increase, or to grow.
Zaidyn Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAY-den | Meaning: Variant of the name Zaid meaning to increase, or to grow.
Zainal Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAY-nahl | Meaning: Zainal means beauty or adornment in Arabic. It conveys a sense of attractiveness and elegance.
Zaine Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAYN | Meaning: Beautiful or grace, Zaine can also be spelt as Zain.
Zain Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAYN | Meaning: Meaning: Beautiful or grace, Zain can also be spelt as Zaine.
Zaire Origin: Arabic | Style: Place | Pronunciation: zah-EAR | Meaning: Named after the African country Zaire, which was formerly known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country was renamed Zaire in 1971 and retained that name until 1997. The name Zaire is derived from the Kikongo word nzere or nzadi, which means the river that swallows all rivers. It refers to the Congo River, one of the world's largest rivers, which flows through the region.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Zak Origin: Hebrew | Style: Nickname | Pronunciation: ZAK | Meaning: often used as a short form or nickname for longer names such as Zachary or Zachariah. The meaning of Zak is closely related to the meanings of these longer forms of the name – Yahweh remembers.
Zakaria Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zah-kuh-RYE-uh | Meaning: From the Hebrew name Zachariah or Zechariah which means Yahweh remembers. In the bible, Zechariah was a prophet and the father of John the Baptist.
Zakariah Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zah-kuh-RYE-uh | Meaning: Variant spelling of the Hebrew name Zachariah or Zechariah which means Yahweh remembers.
Zakariya Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zah-kar-EE-yah | Meaning: Variant spelling of the Hebrew name Zachariah or Zechariah which means Yahweh remembers.
Zakary Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical Variant | Pronunciation: ZAK-uh-ree | Meaning: Zakary is essentially an alternate spelling of Zachery or Zackary, and all three names carry the same biblical and spiritual significance of Yahweh remembers.
Zaki Origin: Arabic | Style: Nickname | Pronunciation: ZAH-kee | Meaning: Zaki is a meaningful and culturally significant name in Arabic-speaking regions, symbolising purity, innocence, and virtue.
Zakir Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zah-KEER | Meaning: Derived from the Arabic verb zakara, which means to remember or to mention, it’s a name given to a baby in the hope that they will be mindful of God or who remembers God.
Zakkai Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical Variant | Pronunciation: zah-KAI | Meaning: Innocent, pure, or blameless. It conveys the idea of someone who is morally upright and free from guilt or wrongdoing.
Zakki Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAK-ee | Meaning: Intellectual or curious.
Zakkiyah Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim Feminine | Pronunciation: zak-KEE-yah | A variant of the name Zakia or Zakiyah, which means pure, innocent, or virtuous in Arabic. It conveys the idea of someone who is characterised by moral and spiritual purity.
Zakriyya Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zak-ree-YAH | Meaning: Variant of the name Zechariah meaning Yahweh remembers.
Zander Origin: Greek | Style: Modern Short Form | Pronunciation: ZAN-der | Meaning: Short and modern form of Alexander, meaning defender or protector.
Zane Origin: English | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAYN | Meaning: Considered a modern variant of the Hebrew name John , which means God is gracious. Often chosen for its modern and trendy sound rather than a specific historical or traditional meaning.
Zaydrian Origin: Arabic | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAY-dree-an | Meaning: A modern name derived from Zayd, meaning growth or increase in Arabic, combined with the popular suffix -ian.
Zayzel Origin: Modern | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAY-zel | Meaning: An inventive and contemporary name with no widely recognised meaning.
Zaythan Origin: Modern | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAY-than | Meaning: A creative modern name with no widely recognised traditional meaning.
Zayven Origin: Modern | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAY-ven | Meaning: A contemporary and unique name choice, influenced by modern naming trends.
Zayvion Origin: Modern | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAY-ve-on | Meaning: A modern and creative name, chosen for its contemporary sound.
Zayvius Origin: Modern | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAY-vee-us | Meaning: A modern and unique name choice with a contemporary sound.
Zayd Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAYD | Meaning: Variant of the name Zaid meaning to increase, or to grow.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Zaydan Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zay-DAHN | Meaning: Alternative modern spelling of the names Zaiden or Zaden meaning to increase, to grow or to prosper.
Zayde Origin: Yiddish | Style: Nickname | Pronunciation: ZAY-duh | Meaning: Zayde can also be associated with the Yiddish and Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, where it is often used as a term of endearment for a grandfather. In this sense, Zayde conveys a sense of respect and affection for an older family member.
Zayden Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAY-den | Meaning: Alternative modern spelling of the names Zaiden or Zaden meaning to increase, to grow or to prosper.
Zayit Origin: Hebrew | Style: Hebrew | Pronunciation: ZAY-eet | Meaning: Zayit is a Hebrew name that means olive. Olives hold cultural and religious significance in the Middle East.
Zaylen Origin: American | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAY-len | Meaning: Often chosen for its contemporary and stylish sound, it follows the trend of names ending with the -len or -lyn sound, which has become popular in recent years.
Zayn Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: ZAYN | Meaning: In Islamic culture, the name Zayn is held in high regard and is chosen with the hope that the person bearing the name will be blessed with beauty, grace, and charm. Zayn Malik is a British singer and songwriter who gained fame as a member of the boy band One Direction and has gone on to enjoy solo success.
Zayne Origin: American | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAYN | Meaning: Alternative spelling of Zayne, meaning beauty or grace in Arabic.
Zayvier Origin: American | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zay-VEER | Meaning: Alternative spelling of Xavier which is of Basque origin and means new house or new home.
Zbigniew Origin: Slavic | Style: Slavic | Pronunciation: ZBEEG-nyev | Meaning: Zbigniew is a Slavic name that means to dispel anger or to conquer anger. It reflects the idea of overcoming negative emotions and fostering peace.
Zdravko Origin: Slavic | Style: Slavic | Pronunciation: ZDRAV-koh | Meaning: Zdravko is a Slavic name that means healthy or well. It conveys the idea of good health and vitality, making it a positive and meaningful choice
Zech Origin: English | Style: Nickname | Pronunciation: ZEK | Meaning: Shortened version of Zechariah or Zachariah, meaning Yahweh remembers.
Zechariah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: zek-uh-RYE-uh | Meaning: From the Hebrew name Zechariah which means Yahweh remembers. In the bible, Zechariah was a prophet and the father of John the Baptist.
Zed Origin: Hebrew | Style: Nickname | Pronunciation: ZED | Meaning: A diminutive or nickname for Zedekiah meaning justice of the Lord.
Zedekiah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: zed-i-KYE-uh | Meaning: From the Hebrew name Tsidhqiyahu meaning justice of the Lord. In the Old Testament, Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest.
Zee Origin: English | Style: Nickname | Pronunciation: ZEE | Meaning: A nickname or a shortened form of longer names that start with the letter Z, such as Zachary or Zeke. The meaning of Zee would then be related to the meaning of the longer name from which it is derived.
Zeek Origin: English | Style: Nickname | Pronunciation: ZEEK | Meaning: A nickname or a shortened form of longer names that start with the letter Z, such as Zachary or Zeke, or other names such as Ezekiel, which means God strengthens in Hebrew.
Zeff Origin: Hebrew | Style: Hebrew | Pronunciation: ZEV | Meaning: An alternative spelling of Zev which means wolf, an animal known for its strength, independence, and keen instincts.
Zeke Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical Variant | Pronunciation: ZEEK | Meaning: A nickname or a shortened form of Ezekiel, which means God strengthens in Hebrew.
Zekiel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical Variant | Pronunciation: ZEK-ee-el | Meaning: A variant of Ezekiel, which means God strengthens in Hebrew.
Zenkai Origin: Japanese | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZEN-kai | Meaning: Zenkai is a modern Japanese name that combines zen, meaning virtuous or good and kai meaning ocean or sea. The name Zenkai can be interpreted as virtuous sea or good ocean.

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Zenji Origin: Japanese | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZEN-jii | Meaning: This name combines zen meaning good or virtuous and ji meaning cure or healer. It can be interpreted as a name for a virtuous and healing person
Zeno Origin: Greek | Style: Ancient | Pronunciation: ZEE-noh | Meaning: An ancient Greek name possibly meaning gift of Zeus. Zeno was a philosopher in ancient Greece.
Zen Origin: Japanese | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZEN | Meaning: From the Japanese word for meditation. It refers to a state of calmness and focus.
Zentaro Origin: Japanese | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zen-TAH-ro | Meaning: Zen means good or virtuous, and taro is a common suffix in Japanese names for boys. Zentaro can be seen as a name for a virtuous and strong individual.
Zenshiro Origin: Japanese | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zen-SHEER-ro | Meaning: Zen means good or virtuous, and shiro is a common suffix in Japanese names for boys. Zenshiro can be seen as a name for a virtuous individual.
Zephyr Origin: Greek | Style: Mythological | Pronunciation: ZEF-er | Meaning: In Greek mythology, Zephyr was the gentle and mild west wind, associated with the arrival of spring and the blossoming of flowers. Zephyr was often depicted as a kind wind, bringing warmth and life to the earth after the cold winter months.
Zephyrin Origin: Greek | Style: Ancient | Pronunciation: ZEF-uh-rin | Meaning: Derived from the Greek name Zephyrus, meaning west wind or gentle breeze.
Zephaniah: Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: zef-uh-NYE-uh | Meaning: From the Hebrew name Tsefanyah meaning Yahweh has hidden. In the Old Testament this is the name of a prophet and minor king.
Zephyrus Origin: Greek | Style: Mythological | Pronunciation: ZEF-uh-rus | Meaning: In Greek mythology, Zephyrus was the west wind, often associated with gentle breezes and the arrival of spring.
Zerach Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: ZEH-rak | Meaning: Zerach means shining or radiant in Hebrew. It is derived from the Hebrew word z-r-ch, which conveys the idea of brightness or radiance. In the Old Testament of the Bible, Zerach is mentioned as the son of Judah and Tamar.
Zethan Origin: Modern | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZETH-an | Meaning: A creative modern name with no widely recognised traditional meaning.
Zethiel Origin: Modern | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZETH-ee-el | Meaning: A modern and unique name choice with a contemporary sound.
Zeus Origin: Greek | Style: Mythological | Pronunciation: ZYOOS | Meaning: From the Greek god considered the ruler of the heavens. Zeus was considered the ruler of Mount Olympus and the most powerful deity in the Greek pantheon.
Zev Origin: Hebrew | Style: Hebrew | Pronunciation: ZEV | Meaning: Wolf, an animal known for its strength, independence, and keen instincts.
Zhi Origin: Chinese | Style: Chinese | Pronunciation: ZHEE | Meaning: Zhi is a Chinese name that can mean various things depending on the characters used. Common meanings include wisdom and will.
Zidane Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zee-DAHN | Meaning: To grow or increase. Zidane has gained international recognition through Zinedine Zidane, a retired French football player and one of the most iconic figures in the history of the sport.
Ziemowit Origin: Slavic | Style: Slavic | Pronunciation: ZYEH-moh-veet | Meaning: Ziemowit is a Slavic name that means lord of the earth or master of the world. It reflects a sense of power and authority.
Ziggy Origin: American | Style: Nickname | Pronunciation: ZIG-ee | Meaning: Usually a nickname for names starting with Z, like Ezekiel or Siegfried. Ziggy gained popularity as a given name or nickname inspired by the stage name of the iconic British musician David Bowie, who adopted the alter ego Ziggy Stardust for concept album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars in the early 1970s.
Zinoviy Origin: Slavic | Style: Slavic | Pronunciation: zi-NOH-vee | Meaning: Zinoviy is a Slavic name that means life of Zeus or gift of Zeus. It has ancient and mythological connotations.
Zion Origin: Hebrew | Style: Ancient | Pronunciation: ZYE-on | Meaning: From Mount Zion near Jerusalem. Zion symbolises the Promised Land and the spiritual and national homeland of the Jewish people.

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Ziven Origin: Slavic | Style: Slavic | Pronunciation: ZEE-ven | Meaning: A Slavic name that means vivacious or full of life.
Zivko Origin: Slavic | Style: Slavic | Pronunciation: ZIV-koh | Meaning: Zivko is a Slavic name that means alive or lively. It conveys the idea of vitality and being full of life.
Ziyad Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zee-YAHD | Meaning: Associated with growth and prosperity Ziyad conveys the idea of someone who is thriving, growing, or experiencing abundance.
Ziyon Origin: Hebrew | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zee-YAWN | Meaning: Variant of Zion, meaning the Promised Land and the spiritual and national homeland of the Jewish people.
Zlatan Origin: Slavic | Style: Slavic | Pronunciation: ZLAH-tahn | Meaning: Zlatan is a Slavic name that means golden or golden-haired. It symbolises beauty and brightness.
Zlatko Origin: Slavic | Style: Slavic | Pronunciation: ZLAHT-koh | Meaning: Zlatko is a Slavic name that means little golden one or young golden one. It's a diminutive form of Zlatan and carries similar golden connotations.
Zola Origin: Italian | Style: Ancient | Pronunciation: zoh-LAH | Meaning: Derived from the Italian word zolla, which means clod or earth. It’s also a name with a connection to literature and culture, particularly through the legacy of Émile Zola, a famous French novelist and playwright.
Zohaib Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zo-HAYB | Meaning: Zohaib is derived from the Arabic word zuhayb, which means radiant or shining. It conveys the idea of someone who possesses brightness, radiance, or a shining presence.
Zoltan Origin: Hungarian | Style: Eastern European | Pronunciation: ZOHL-tawn | Meaning: Zoltan means life or alive in Hungarian. It is derived from the Hungarian word zolt, which conveys the idea of vitality and being full of life.
Zora Origin: Slavic | Style: Eastern European | Pronunciation: ZO-rah | Meaning: Zora means dawn or daybreak in Slavic languages. It’s a name with a poetic and nature-inspired feel, often chosen for its association with the early morning light and the concept of a new day filled with possibilities.
Zoran Origin: Slavic | Style: Eastern European | Pronunciation: ZO-rahn | Meaning: A name that is used in various Slavic-speaking regions and is chosen for its nature-inspired and optimistic connotations related to the dawn.
Zoravar Origin: Armenian | Style: Armenian | Pronunciation: ZOR-uh-var | Meaning: Zoravar is an Armenian name that means warrior or hero. It symbolizes bravery and valour.
Zorawar Origin: Indian | Style: Sikh | Pronunciation: zor-uh-VAAR | Meaning: Interpreted to mean brave warrior or fearless fighter. It is derived from two Punjabi words: zor, which means strength or power, and war, which means warrior.
Zorobabel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: zoh-RO-buh-bel | Meaning: A variant of Zerubbabel, a biblical name that means sown in Babylon in Hebrew.
Zubair Origin: Arabic | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zoo-BAYR | Meaning: Strong or powerful in Arabic. It is derived from the Arabic word zubr, which conveys the idea of physical strength and power. Zubair ibn al-Awwam was one of the early converts to Islam and a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
Zuberi Origin: African | Style: Muslim | Pronunciation: zoo-BEH-ree | Meaning: Zuberi means strong or powerful in Swahili. It is derived from the Swahili word zuberi, which conveys the idea of physical strength and resilience.
Zuriel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: ZOO-ree-el | Meaning: Zuriel means my rock is God or God is my strength in Hebrew. It is derived from the Hebrew words tsur (rock) and El (God). Zuriel appears in the Old Testament of the Bible as the name of several individuals associated with leadership, service, and their faith in God.
Zylan Origin: American | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZYE-lin | Meaning: An invented modern name chosen for its contemporary and stylish sound.
Zyon Origin: American | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZYE-on | Meaning: Modern spelling variant of Zion. Zion symbolises the Promised Land and the spiritual and national homeland of the Jewish people.
Zyrus Origin: American | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZYE-rus | Meaning: An invented modern name.

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Names for girls beginning with the letter 'Z'

Zabdiya Origin: Arabic | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zab-DEE-yah | Meaning: Feminine form of Zabdi, derived from Arabic word for gift.
Zabrina Origin: English | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zah-BREEN-uh | Meaning: Feminine form of Sabrina, referring to the River Severn in England. Also related to the Welsh word for river.
Zabryna Origin: Modern | Style: Unique | Pronunciation: zah-BRY-nuh | Meaning: A creative variation of Zabrina, combining elements of Zabdiya and Sabrina. The meaning can be associated with gift and river.
Zacensia Origin: Polish | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zah-CHEN-syah | Meaning: Feminine form of Polish Zacensius, from Latin meaning imperial.
Zada Origin: Arabic | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZAY-duh | Meaning: Female form of the Arabic name Zaid, meaning abundance or growth. Also seen as meaning lucky.
Zadita Origin: Hebrew | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zah-DEE-tah | Meaning: Feminine form of Hebrew Zadit meaning prey or food.
Zaffiya Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zaf-FEE-yah | Meaning: Elaborated feminine form of Zafirah meaning victorious in Arabic.
Zagora Origin: Greek | Style: Geographical | Pronunciation: zah-GOHR-ah | Meaning: From the Greek town meaning great hill. Also morning glow.
Zahara Origin: Hebrew | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-HAH-ruh | Meaning: Feminine form of the Hebrew name Zahar, meaning to shine or flower in Hebrew.
Zahida Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-HEE-dah | Meaning: Feminine form of Arabic Zahid meaning abstinent and ascetic.
Zahina Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-HEE-nah | Meaning: Feminine form of Zahin, derived from the Arabic word for brilliant or prominent.
Zahra Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: ZAHR-uh | Meaning: Feminine form of the Arabic Zahir meaning bright, shining, radiant. Also associated with white or fair.
Zaida Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: ZAY-dah | Meaning: Variant of Zaida meaning prosperous in Arabic. Name of several Moorish queens.
Zaila Origin: Arabic | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZAY-lah | Meaning: Variant of Zayla. Possibly related to the Arabic word for traveller.
Zaira Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zye-RAH | Meaning: Variant of the Arabic name Zahirah meaning visitor or guest. Popular in Spanish-speaking countries.
Zakira Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-KEER-ah | Meaning: Feminine form of Zakir, from the Arabic word meaning mindful or memorable.
Zali Origin: Australian Aboriginal | Style: Nature name | Pronunciation: ZAH-lee | Meaning: Means water in Australian Aboriginal languages, referring to rivers, creeks, springs.
Zalika Origin: Swahili | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-LEE-kah | Meaning: Feminine form of Zaliko, meaning born during famine in Swahili.
Zalina Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-LEE-nah | Meaning: A graceful name of Arabic origin, meaning woman of dignity or noble.

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Zaltana Origin: Basque | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zahl-TAH-nah | Meaning: Feminine form of Basque Zaltan, meaning broad valley.
Zamina Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-MEE-nah | Meaning: Arabic name meaning intelligent or smart.
Zamirah Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-MEER-ah | Meaning: Elaborated feminine form of the Arabic Zamir meaning conscience.
Zanara Origin: Modern | Style: Unique | Pronunciation: zah-NAH-rah | Meaning: A creative and melodious name with no specific meaning, offering a fresh and distinctive option for your child.
Zaneta Origin: Lithuanian | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zah-NAY-tah | Meaning: Feminine form of Janus. Meaning God's gracious gift in Lithuanian.
Zandra Origin: Greek | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAN-drah | Meaning: Modern Greek name, possibly a variant of Alexandra, meaning defender of mankind.
Zanipa Origin: Native American | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zah-NEE-pah | Meaning: Meaning uncertain, possibly derived from the Dakota tribe name.
Zanna Origin: Hebrew | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: ZAN-uh | Meaning: Diminutive of Susanna, meaning lily or rose in Hebrew.
Zanobia Origin: Ancient | Style: Mythology | Pronunciation: zan-OH-bee-ah | Meaning: Ancient Roman name possibly meaning gift of Zeus. Name of a 3rd century queen.
Zara Origin: Hebrew | Style: Popular | Pronunciation: ZAH-ruh | Meaning: Originated as a form of Sarah, meaning princess in Hebrew. Also interpreted as radiance or blossoming flower.
Zareen Origin: Persian | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-REEN | Meaning: Persian name meaning golden.
Zariel Origin: Hebrew | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZAR-ee-el | Meaning: Modern Hebrew name meaning God is my rock.
Zarifa Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-REE-fah | Meaning: Feminine form of Arabic Zarif meaning delicate or gentle.
Zarina Origin: Persian | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-REE-nah | Meaning: Persian feminine form of Zarin meaning golden in Persian.
Zariya Origin: Russian | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zah-REE-yuh | Meaning: Feminine form of the Russian name Zarya meaning dawn, sunrise. Can also mean golden in Russian.
Zavrina Origin: Russian | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zah-VREE-nah | Meaning: Feminine form of Russian Zavrin meaning from beyond the mountains.
Zayla Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: ZAY-lah | Meaning: Variant of Zaila, possibly meaning traveller in Arabic. Name of a port city in Somalia.
Zaytuna Origin: Arabic | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zay-TOO-nah | Meaning: Feminine form of Zaytun, the Arabic word for olive tree.
Zdenka Origin: Czech | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZDEN-kah | Meaning: Feminine form of Czech Zdenek, meaning of Sidon referring to an ancient Phoenician city.
Zehra Origin: Turkish | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: ZEH-rah | Meaning: Turkish form of Zahra, derived from the Arabic word meaning radiant or brilliant.

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Zelara Origin: Modern | Style: Unique | Pronunciation: zeh-LAR-uh| Meaning: A fusion of Zela and Zahara, creating a distinctive name with a sense of radiance and uniqueness.
Zelda Origin: German | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: ZEL-duh | Meaning: Old German name meaning grey fighting maid or woman warrior. Popularized by novelist Zelda Fitzgerald.
Zelia Origin: Greek | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZEL-ee-uh | Meaning: Feminine form of Zealos, an epithet of Zeus, meaning zealous in Greek.
Zelie Origin: Greek | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zeh-LEE | Meaning: Variant of Zelia, meaning zealous in Greek. Popularized by French saint Zélie Martin.
Zelija Origin: Lithuanian | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zeh-LEE-yah | Meaning: Lithuanian form of Celia, meaning heaven or sky in Latin.
Zelima Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: ze-LEE-mah | Meaning: Feminine form of Arabic Zalim, meaning unjust or tyrant.
Zelma Origin: German | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: ZEL-mah | Meaning: Short form of Selma, originally a German name possibly meaning divine protector.
Zemirah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zeh-MEER-ah | Meaning: Variant of the Hebrew name Zemira meaning song or melody.
Zena Origin: Greek | Style: Mythology | Pronunciation: ZEE-nuh | Meaning: Short form of Zenobia, meaning of Zeus. In mythology, Zena was an epithet of the goddess Artemis.
Zenaida Origin: Spanish | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zeh-nye-EE-duh | Meaning: Feminine form of Zenaido meaning of Zeus in Greek. The name of a genus of dove.
Zendaya Origin: African | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zen-DAY-uh| Meaning: Popularised by American actress and singer Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman. Her name is said to mean to give thanks in the Shona language of Zimbabwe, though this meaning is unconfirmed.
Zenia Origin: Greek | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZEE-nee-uh | Meaning: Feminine form of Xenios, meaning stranger or foreigner in Greek. Also related to Zenon, of Zeus.
Zephyra Origin: Greek | Style: Mythology | Pronunciation: ZEF-ee-rah | Meaning: Elaborated feminine form of Zephyr, Greek god of the west wind.
Zephyrine Origin: Greek | Style: Mythology | Pronunciation: ZEF-uh-reen | Meaning: Feminine form of Zephyros, the Greek god of the west wind. Name of a 3rd-century saint.
Zeralda Origin: Italian | Style: Literary | Pronunciation: tse-RAHL-dah | Meaning: Created by Italian author Giambattista Basile for the fairy tale La Gatta Cenerentola.
Zerenity Origin: American | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zeh-REH-nih-tee | Meaning: Invented name possibly derived from serenity.
Zerlinda Origin: German | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: tser-LIN-dah | Meaning: Blend of German Zerline and Linda meaning tender and serpent respectively.
Zetta Origin: Greek | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZET-uh | Meaning: Feminine form of Zeto, the Greek word for seek. Also connected to seven from the Greek word hepta.
Zia Origin: Arabic | Style: Short form | Pronunciation: ZEE-uh | Meaning: Short form of Arabic names containing the element zaahir meaning brilliant or shining.
Ziana Origin: Arabic | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zee-AH-nah | Meaning: Probably an elaborated form of Diana, meaning divine in Latin.

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Zibiah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: zih-BYE-ah | Meaning: Variant of Zebia. Mother of King Joash in the Old Testament.
Zillah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: ZIL-ah | Meaning: Hebrew name meaning shade or tinkling. Mentioned in the Bible as one of the wives of Lamech.
Zilpah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: ZIL-puh | Meaning: Means frailty, weakness in Hebrew. Zilpah was a handmaid of Jacob and Leah in the Old Testament.
Zilpha Origin: Hebrew | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: ZIL-fah | Meaning: Hebrew name meaning shade or tinkling. Mentioned in the Bible.
Zina Origin: Arabic | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZEE-nuh | Meaning: Short form of names containing the Arabic element zeenah meaning beauty and grace.
Zinnia Origin: Latin | Style: Floral | Pronunciation: ZIN-ee-uh | Meaning: Named after the zinnia flower, which was named for German botanist Johann Zinn. Means coloured in Latin.
Zinniana Origin: Latin | Style: Elaborate | Pronunciation: zin-ee-AH-nah | Meaning: Elaborated feminine form of Zinnia, the flower named for German botanist Johann Zinn.
Zionna Origin: Hebrew | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zy-ON-nah | Meaning: Feminine form of Zion, referring to Jerusalem and symbolic of heaven.
Zipporah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Biblical | Pronunciation: zi-POOR-uh | Meaning: Derived from the Hebrew Tzipporah, meaning little bird. Zipporah was the wife of Moses in the Old Testament.
Zita Origin: Italian | Style: Vintage | Pronunciation: ZEE-tah | Meaning: Medieval Italian name of uncertain origin and meaning. Name of a 13th century saint.
Ziva Origin: Hebrew | Style: Popular | Pronunciation: ZEE-vuh | Meaning: Modern feminine form of Ziv, meaning radiance, brightness or light of God in Hebrew.
Zivah Origin: Hebrew | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zih-VAH | Meaning: A variant spelling of Ziva.
Zivanja Origin: Serbian | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zee-VAN-yah | Meaning: Serbian name meaning life or existence.
Zizi Origin: African | Style: Cute | Pronunciation: ZEE-zee | Meaning: A modern invented name. Used as a cute nickname.
Zoa Origin: Greek | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZOH-uh | Meaning: Feminine form of Zoe, meaning life in Greek. Short form of names containing Zoe.
Zoe Origin: Greek | Style: Popular | Pronunciation: ZOH-ee | Meaning: Means life in Greek. In Greek mythology Zoe was one of the goddesses of life.
Zoey Origin: Greek | Style: Modern spelling | Pronunciation: ZOH-ee | Meaning: Modern spelling of Zoe, meaning life in Greek. The Z- spelling became popular in the 1980s.
Zofia Origin: Polish | Style: Classic | Pronunciation: ZOH-fee-uh | Meaning: Polish form of Sophia meaning wisdom in Greek. The name of 13th century Saint Zofia.
Zola Origin: Italian | Style: Literary | Pronunciation: ZOH-luh | Meaning: Derived from the Italian word zolla, meaning clod of earth. Popularized by French novelist Emile Zola.

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Zophia Origin: Greek | Style: Elaborate | Pronunciation: ZOH-fee-ah | Meaning: Elaborated form of Sophia, meaning wisdom in Greek.
Zora Origin: Slavic | Style: Literary | Pronunciation: ZOR-uh | Meaning: Feminine form of Zoran, from the Slavic element zor meaning dawn or daybreak. Made famous by author Zora Neale Hurston.
Zoraida Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zoh-RAY-dah | Meaning: Arabic name meaning radiant or brilliant.
Zorina Origin: Slavic | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zoh-REE-nuh | Meaning: Elaborated feminine form of Zora, derived from the Slavic element zor meaning dawn or daybreak.
Zorya Origin: Slavic | Style: Mythology | Pronunciation: ZOR-yuh | Meaning: From Slavic mythology, Zorya was a goddess of the dawn, morning star, and guardian of the Sun.
Zosia Origin: Polish | Style: Cute | Pronunciation: ZOH-shuh | Meaning: Cute diminutive of Polish Zofia, meaning wisdom from the Greek Sophia.
Zoya Origin: Russian | Style: Popular | Pronunciation: ZOY-uh | Meaning: Russian form of Zoe, meaning life in Greek. Made popular by 20th century Russian ballerina Zoya Pashkova.
Zsa Zsa Origin: Hungarian | Style: Celebrity inspired | Pronunciation: ZSAH ZSAH | Meaning: Chosen as a stage name by actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, born Sári Gábor. Likely inspired by her Hungarian heritage.
Zubaida Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zoo-BAY-dah | Meaning: Feminine form of Zubaid, derived from the Arabic word for bestower. Name of wives of caliphs.
Zula Origin: African | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZOO-luh | Meaning: Means peace in Zulu and other Bantu languages. Also possibly gold. A place name in Ethiopia.
Zuleika Origin: Arabic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zoo-LAY-kuh | Meaning: Feminine form of Arabic Zulaykh, meaning brilliant beauty. Popularized by 19th century novel.
Zulema Origin: Arabic | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zoo-LEH-muh | Meaning: Feminine form of the Arabic name Zulaym, meaning healthy and sound.
Zumreta Origin: Albanian | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zoom-REH-tah | Meaning: Albanian name derived from the word for emerald.
Zurie Origin: Hebrew | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: ZOOR-ee | Meaning: Feminine form of the Hebrew Zuri, meaning my rock or my strength.
Zuzana Origin: Slavic | Style: Exotic | Pronunciation: zoo-ZAH-nah | Meaning: Czech and Slovak form of Susan, originally derived from Hebrew Shoshana.
Zuzia Origin: Polish | Style: Cute | Pronunciation: ZOO-zhee-ah | Meaning: Short form of Zuzanna, the Polish form of Susanna.
Zyta Origin: Polish | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZEE-tah | Meaning: Polish form of Cita, feminine of Citus meaning swift in Latin.
Zylphia Origin: American | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zil-FEE-uh | Meaning: Probably an elaboration of Sylvia. May mean from the forest.
Zymone Origin: American | Style: Modern | Pronunciation: zih-MOHN | Meaning: Variant of Simone. Possibly means one who hears.
Zypresa Origin: Czech | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: zi-PREH-sah | Meaning: Czech name derived from cypress, the coniferous tree.
Zyta Origin: Polish | Style: Rare | Pronunciation: ZEE-tah | Meaning: Polish form of Cita, feminine of Citus meaning swift in Latin.

How long do you have to decide on a baby name?

In the UK, there is no specific legal requirement that dictates how long parents have to decide on a baby's name. However, you are usually required to register your baby's birth within 42 days (6 weeks) of their birth date.

"Many people don't realise that you have quite a while after your baby is born to consider its name and make it officially legal," says Kirsty Douglas, parenting expert at Kiddies Kingdom.

"In England and Wales, you have 42 days to register the birth, but the name can be left blank and decided anywhere up to a year after the date of registration.

"In Scotland you have 21 days to decide on a name and register it. However, after this time, an official request to change their name will be considered."

During the birth registration process, you will be asked to provide the baby's full name, and this is when you typically finalise their name officially.

While there is no strict deadline for choosing a name, it's a good idea to decide on a name before the birth registration appointment to avoid any delays in the administrative process. Some parents have a name chosen well in advance, while others may take some time to decide on the perfect name for their child. Ultimately, the timing is up to you, but it's generally best to have a name chosen by the time you register the birth.

What to avoid when choosing a baby name?

The key is finding a name your child won't hate and avoiding a name that may be used to tease them in later life. Focus on something meaningful, classic, or creative without crossing the line into clearly unacceptable or offensive territory. Here are some things to avoid when choosing a baby name:

Obscenities: Names that contain profanity or obscene words are likely to be rejected by registering officers. Avoid anything offensive or vulgar.
Misleading titles: Names that imply a royal or other misleading title (like King, Lord, Princess) should be avoided, as they could be refused.
Impossible to pronounce: Names that are impossible to pronounce or spell will likely encounter issues. Opt for something people can reasonably say and spell.
Numerals: Names that contain numbers or are just numbers (like 5 or VIII) tend to not be allowed. Stick to traditional alphabetical letters.
Potential for embarrassment: Choose something your child won't be relentlessly teased for or find embarrassing later in life. Avoid overly cutesy or silly names.
Trademarked name: Names of trademarks or characters owned by companies may not be permissible. Stay away from trademarked or copyrighted terms.

"The thing to avoid when choosing baby names is the feeling that what you choose has to be completely unique - chances are that someone else in the world has named their baby the name you're thinking of. This shouldn't discourage you from choosing a name you love," reassures Kirsty.

"Having said that, it's best to steer clear of names already taken by close friends and family unless you are following a family tradition, as this could quickly get confusing!"

Once you've nailed your baby name (and if you haven't yet check out the best unisex baby names too) Maybe start checking out the best cot beds and best pushchairs out there, all of our products are rigorously tested by mums and babies - so you know exactly what you're in for.

Girl names beginning with A - 100+ names for baby girls and their meanings

Joanne Lewsley — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:35:12 +0000

Choosing the perfect name for your baby girl can be a tricky task especially if you have your heart set on certain initials or letters. Here, we've got 100 girls' names beginning with A.

The letter 'A' offers a huge range of popular baby names, from traditional and elegant to modern and cool. Whether you're looking for a name with deep historical roots or something more unique and contemporary, we've got you covered.

Keep scrolling to find over 100 gorgeous baby girl names beginning with 'A'. Plus, we've got tips on how to choose a baby name, how to decide on a name if you and your partner have a disagreement, and advice on the laws surrounding baby names in the UK. Happy choosing...

Mum Suz tells us, "Choosing an 'A' name for my baby was a way to honour my grandmother, Alice. She was an incredible woman who played a huge role in my life. Her kindness, strength, and wisdom were always a source of inspiration to me. By giving my daughter an 'A' name - Amelia - I feel like I'm paying tribute to my gran's legacy and passing on her positive qualities to the next generation. It's a beautiful way to keep her memory alive and to connect my daughter to her family history."

SJ Strum, Baby Name Consultant and Youtuber, has teamed up with greeting card marketplace Thortful to predict the baby names that will be big in 2024, including baby names beginning with A. SJ predicts Amy and Alanis will trend next year as 90s NormCore makes a comeback, while Disney-inspired names will continue to climb.

According to Strum, "Disney Names are one of the most common requests we get at the baby name consultancy: Baby Name Envy. It’s a big trend for 2023 and 2024. Wearable names in this trend are Aurora; meaning dawn, the name of Sleeping Beauty, which is trending up an incredible 230 places last year and I predict it will hit the top 20 most popular girl names in 2024."

Top baby names for girls beginning with the letter 'A'

1. Abilene

Origin: Hebrew Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AB-uh-leen Meaning: Grassy meadow or land of pasture.

2. Abra

Origin: Hebrew Style: Boho Pronunciation: Ab-rah Meaning: One of the unique baby names that has connotations of magic – Abracadabra! However, this feminine version of Abraham actually means father of many or born on a Tuesday.

3. Adalane

Origin: Modern Style: Unique Pronunciation: AD-uh-layn Meaning: A modern name with no widely known meaning, offering a unique and stylish sound.

4. Adaline

Origin: French Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AD-uh-line Meaning: Noble or kind.

5. Adalynn

Origin: English Style: Modern Pronunciation: AD-uh-lin Meaning: A modern name that is a variant of the classic name "Adeline."

6. Addison

Origin: English Style: Modern Pronunciation: AD-i-suhn Meaning: Son of Adam or child of Adam.

7. Adelaidine

Origin: German Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AD-uh-layd Meaning: Noble or nobility.

8. Adelina

Origin: Spanish Style: Elegant Pronunciation: ah-duh-LEE-nuh Meaning: Noble or nobility.

9. Adelisa

Origin: Spanish Style: Elegant Pronunciation: ah-duh-LEE-suh Meaning: Noble or kind.

10. Adelise

Origin: French Style: Elegant Pronunciation: ah-duh-LEES Meaning: An elegant name with no widely known meaning, often chosen for its graceful sound.

11. Adelphia

Origin: Greek Style: Vintage Pronunciation: ah-DEL-fee-uh Meaning: Sisterly love or brotherly love.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

12. Adelynn

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: AD-uh-lin Meaning: A modern name that is a variant of the classic name "Adeline."

13. Adora

Origin: Latin Style: Charming Pronunciation: uh-DOR-uh Meaning: Adored or beloved.

14. Agatha

Origin: Greek Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AG-uh-thuh Meaning: Good or kind.

15. Agnes

Origin: Greek Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AG-nes Meaning: Pure or holy.

16. Aida

Origin: Italian Style: Exotic Pronunciation: EYE-duh Meaning: Reward or present.

17. Aileen

Origin: Irish Style: Classic Pronunciation: eye-LEEN Meaning: Bright or shining.

18. Ainsley

Origin: Scottish Style: Modern Pronunciation: AYNZ-lee Meaning: Hermitage wood or clearing.

19. Aisha

Origin: Arabic Style: Exotic Pronunciation: EYE-shuh Meaning: Alive or she who lives.

20. Aisling

Origin: Irish Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ASH-ling Meaning: Dream or vision.

21. Aislinn

Origin: Irish Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ASH-lin Meaning: Dream or vision.

22. Alaina

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: uh-LAY-nuh Meaning: A variant of Elaine, meaning shining light or bright.

23. Alana

Origin: Irish Style: Modern Pronunciation: uh-LAN-uh Meaning: Fair or beautiful.

24. Alani

Origin: Hawaiian Style: Exotic Pronunciation: uh-LAH-nee Meaning: Orange tree or serenity.

25. Alaya

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: uh-LAY-uh Meaning: A variant of Alia, meaning high or exalted.

26. Alayna

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: uh-LAY-nuh Meaning: A variant of Elaine, meaning shining light or bright.

27. Alba

Origin: Latin Style: Elegant Pronunciation: AHL-buh Meaning: Dawn or white.

28. Aleah

Origin: Hebrew Style: Modern Pronunciation: uh-LEE-uh Meaning: Ascend or to ascend.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

29. Alejandra

Origin: Spanish Style: Elegant Pronunciation: a-le-HAHN-dra Meaning: Defender of mankind.

30. Alena

Origin: Slavic Style: Modern Pronunciation: uh-LEE-nuh Meaning: Bright or shining.

31. Alessandra

Origin: Italian Style: Elegant Pronunciation: ah-leh-SAHN-dra Meaning: Defender of mankind.

32. Alessia

Origin: Italian Style: Elegant Pronunciation: ah-LEH-see-uh Meaning: Defender of mankind.

33. Alexa

Origin: Greek Style: Modern Pronunciation: ah-LEK-suh Meaning: Defender of mankind.

34. Alexandra

Origin: Greek Style: Classic Pronunciation: ah-lek-SAN-drah Meaning: Defender of mankind.

35. Alexandria

Origin: Greek Style: Classic Pronunciation: al-eg-ZAN-dree-uh Meaning: Defender of mankind.

36. Alexia

Origin: Greek Style: Modern Pronunciation: ah-LEK-see-uh Meaning: Defender of mankind.

37. Alexis

Origin: Greek Style: Modern Pronunciation: ah-LEK-sis Meaning: Defender of mankind.

38. Alia

Origin: Arabic Style: Exotic Pronunciation: AH-lee-uh Meaning: High or exalted.

39. Alice

Origin: Germanic Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AH-lis Meaning: Noble or exalted.

40. Alina

Origin: Slavic Style: Elegant Pronunciation: uh-LEE-nuh Meaning: Bright or beautiful.

41. Alisa

Origin: Hebrew Style: Classic Pronunciation: uh-LEE-suh Meaning: Great happiness or joy.

42. Alison

Origin: English Style: Classic Pronunciation: AL-uh-suhn Meaning: Son of Alice or noble.

43. Alivia

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: uh-LIV-ee-uh Meaning: A modern variant of Olivia, meaning olive tree.

44. Aliyah

Origin: Hebrew Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-LEE-yuh Meaning: To ascend or go up.

45. Allegra

Origin: Italian Style: Charming Pronunciation: ah-LEG-rah Meaning: Joyful or lively.

46. Allison

Origin: English Style: Classic Pronunciation: AL-uh-suhn Meaning: Son of Alice or noble.

47. Alma

Origin: Spanish Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AHL-muh Meaning: Soul or nurturing.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

48. Alondra

Origin: Spanish Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-LAWN-dra Meaning: Defender of mankind.

49. Alora

Origin: Modern Style: Unique Pronunciation: uh-LOR-uh Meaning: A modern name, often chosen for its unique sound.

50. Althea

Origin: Greek Style: Vintage Pronunciation: al-THEE-uh Meaning: Healing or wholesome.

51. Alyssa

Origin: Greek Style: Modern Pronunciation: uh-LIS-uh Meaning: Noble or rational.

52. Amaia

Origin: Basque Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-MY-uh Meaning: End or limit.

53. Amalia

Origin: German Style: Elegant Pronunciation: ah-MAH-lee-uh Meaning: Work or industrious.

54. Amanda

Origin: Latin Style: Classic Pronunciation: ah-MAN-duh Meaning: Worthy of love or deserving to be loved.

55. Amara

Origin: African Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-MAH-rah Meaning: Grace or kindness.

56. Amaya

Origin: Basque Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-MY-uh Meaning: The end or night rain.

57. Amber

Origin: Arabic Style: Classic Pronunciation: AM-bur Meaning: Fossilized tree resin or jewel.

58. Amelia

Origin: German Style: Classic Pronunciation: uh-MEE-lee-uh Meaning: Work or industrious.

59. Amelie

Origin: French Style: Elegant Pronunciation: ah-MAY-lee Meaning: Hardworking or industrious.

60. Amina

Origin: Arabic Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-MEE-nuh Meaning: Trustworthy or faithful.

61. Amira

Origin: Arabic Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-MEER-uh Meaning: Princess or leader.

62. Amiya

Origin: Modern Style: Unique Pronunciation: uh-MEE-yuh Meaning: A modern name often chosen for its unique sound.

63. Amiyah

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: uh-MI-yuh Meaning: A variant of Amiya.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

64. Amora

Origin: Spanish Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-MOR-uh Meaning: Love or beloved.

65. Amoura

Origin: Modern Style: Unique Pronunciation: ah-MOOR-uh Meaning: A modern name with connotations of love and affection.

66. Amy

Origin: French Style: Classic Pronunciation: AY-mee Meaning: Beloved or dearly loved.

67. Anais

Origin: French Style: Elegant Pronunciation: ah-nay-EES Meaning: Grace or favor.

68. Anastasia

Origin: Greek Style: Classic Pronunciation: ah-nuh-STAY-zhuh Meaning: Resurrection or to stand up again.

69. Andrea

Origin: Greek Style: Classic Pronunciation: ahn-DRAY-uh Meaning: Strong or manly.

70. Angel

Origin: Greek Style: Classic Pronunciation: AYN-jul Meaning: Messenger or messenger of God.

71. Angela

Origin: Greek Style: Classic Pronunciation: an-JAY-luh Meaning: Messenger or messenger of God.

72. Angelica

Origin: Greek Style: Elegant Pronunciation: an-JEL-uh-kuh Meaning: Angelic or like an angel.

73. Angelina

Origin: Greek Style: Elegant Pronunciation: an-juh-LEE-nuh Meaning: Messenger or messenger of God.

74. Anika

Origin: German Style: Modern Pronunciation: ah-NEE-kuh Meaning: Grace or favour.

75. Anisa

Origin: Arabic Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-NEE-suh Meaning: Companion or friend.

76. Anita

Origin: Spanish Style: Classic Pronunciation: ah-NEE-tuh Meaning: Grace or favour.

77. Annabel

Origin: English Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AN-uh-bel Meaning: Lovable or easy to love.

78. Annalise

Origin: German Style: Elegant Pronunciation: AN-uh-lees Meaning: Graced with God's bounty.

79. Annika

Origin: Scandinavian Style: Modern Pronunciation: ah-NEE-kuh Meaning: Grace or favour.

80. Anya

Origin: Russian Style: Classic Pronunciation: AHN-yuh Meaning: Grace or favour.

81. April

Origin: Latin Style: Classic Pronunciation: AY-pril Meaning: Opening or opening buds of spring.

82. Arabella

Origin: Latin Style: Elegant Pronunciation: ah-ra-BEL-uh Meaning: Beautiful or yielding to prayer.

83. Aria

Origin: Italian Style: Exotic Pronunciation: AHR-ee-uh Meaning: Air or melody.

84. Ariana

Origin: Italian Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ar-ee-AHN-uh Meaning: Holy or very holy.

85. Arianna

Origin: Italian Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ar-ee-AHN-uh Meaning: Holy or very holy.

86. Ariel

Origin: Hebrew Style: Exotic Pronunciation: AYR-ee-el Meaning: Lion of God or hearth.

87. Ariella

Origin: Hebrew Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ar-ee-EL-uh Meaning: Lion of God or hearth.

88. Arielle

Origin: Hebrew Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ar-ee-EL Meaning: Lion of God or hearth.

89. Ariya

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: AR-ee-yuh Meaning: A variant of Aria, meaning air or melody.

90. Ariyah

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: AR-ee-yuh Meaning: A variant of Aria, meaning air or melody.

91. Ashley

Origin: English Style: Modern Pronunciation: ASH-lee Meaning: Ash tree meadow or ash tree clearing.

92. Aspen

Origin: English Style: Modern Pronunciation: AS-pen Meaning: A type of tree or tree with heart-shaped leaves.

93. Astrid

Origin: Scandinavian Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AS-trid Meaning: Divine strength or strength of God.

94. Athena

Origin: Greek Style: Classic Pronunciation: uh-THEE-nuh Meaning: Goddess of wisdom and war.

95. Aubrey

Origin: English Style: Modern Pronunciation: AW-bree Meaning: Elf ruler or ruler of the elves.

96. Audrey

Origin: English Style: Vintage Pronunciation: AW-dree Meaning: Noble strength or strength of the nobility.

97. Aurelia

Origin: Latin Style: Elegant Pronunciation: aw-REEL-yuh Meaning: Golden or gilded.

98. Aurora

Origin: Latin Style: Classic Pronunciation: aw-RAW-ruh Meaning: Dawn or sunrise.

99. Ava

Origin: Latin Style: Classic Pronunciation: AY-vuh Meaning: Like a bird or life.

100. Avalyn

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: AV-uh-lin Meaning: A variant of Ava, meaning like a bird or life.

101. Avery

Origin: English Style: Modern Pronunciation: AY-vuh-ree Meaning: Ruler of the elves or elf counsel.

102. Aviana

Origin: Modern Style: Modern Pronunciation: ay-vee-AH-nuh Meaning: A variant of Avian, meaning bird-like.

103. Aviva

Origin: Hebrew Style: Exotic Pronunciation: ah-VEE-vuh Meaning: Springlike or youthful.

104. Azalea

Origin: Greek Style: Exotic Pronunciation: uh-ZAY-lee-uh Meaning: A type of flowering shrub or dry earth.

105. Azura

Origin: Modern Style: Exotic Pronunciation: uh-ZOOR-uh Meaning: A modern name, often chosen for its unique sound.

How do you come up with a baby name?

There's no doubt that when it comes to choosing a name for your baby, the choice has never been wider. More parents than ever are opting for unique or exotic-sounding baby names, throwing the field of choice wide open! "A baby’s name is one of the first gifts they get. So it’s no surprise that many parents put so much time and effort into finding the right one," says Kirsty Douglas, Parenting Expert at Kiddies Kingdom. "When trying to come up with a baby name, it’s a good idea to start by deciding if you prefer commonly used or more unique names - this will help you reduce a potential list. The ONS collects data on baby names every year, which can be used to find the most popular (or common) names. For example, in 2021 Noah and Olivia were the most popular."

If you're struggling to narrow down your longer list of favourite names, or you're not even sure where to start, these tips will help:

1. Consider your own values and beliefs: Think about what values and beliefs you want to instill in your child. Names with religious or spiritual significance may be meaningful if this is important to your family.

2. Think about your family history and heritage: Reflecting on your cultural and ethnic background and naming your child in a way that connects them to your heritage can be a source of pride and identity. "Take inspiration from popular culture, your surroundings, and existing family traditions to find a name you like", advises Kirsty.

3. Consider how it sounds: Pay attention to how the name sounds with your last name and the rhythm and flow of the full name when spoken aloud (or shouted across a playground!).

4. Avoid negative associations: Be cautious about names that might have negative connotations. This includes considering potential teasing or mispronunciations.

5. Consider future nicknames: Think about nicknames that could arise from your chosen name. Are you comfortable with them?

6. Popular vs original: Decide whether you prefer a name that is popular and familiar or one that is unique and distinctive. Both have their merits.

7. Think about the long term: Remember that your child will carry this name throughout their life. Will it still suit them as an adult?

8. Initials: Check the initials of the first, middle, and last name together to ensure they don't spell anything undesirable.

9. Ask for advice and ideas: Friends and family may have some brilliant ideas for your baby name, but don't feel pressured to choose a name based solely on others' opinions.

10. Explore variations in spelling: Don't be afraid to explore variations of names you like. Sometimes a small change can make a big difference.

11. Research the meaning of names: Look up the origins and meanings of names you're considering. You might find a name with a beautiful meaning that resonates with you.

12. Take your time! Naming your child is an important decision, so don't rush it. In the end, trust your instincts. The name that resonates with you and feels right is likely the best choice for your child.

Jacinta, mum of two, explains how her chosen name for her first baby girl ended up changing after she was born. "Initially, we had settled on an entirely different name. However, when our daughter arrived, it just didn't seem to fit her. So, we decided to take a couple of days to really get a sense of what name suited her best. Surprisingly, we ended up going with a name that we had both actually dismissed weeks before. It turns out, it suits her perfectly!"

Remember that choosing a name is a personal decision, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. What matters most is that the name holds meaning and significance for you and your family.

What to do when you can't decide on a baby name?

If you and your partner are struggling to agree on a baby name, you're not alone. According to a poll by US website BabyCenter, half of parents polled disagreed with their significant other about what to name their baby.

We've got some positive steps to help you resolve the issue and find a name that both you and your partner are happy with.

Keep communication open

Start by having an honest conversation with your partner about your naming preferences. Each of you should express why you like or dislike certain names. This can help you understand each other's point of view better.“If you can’t decide on a name, a great tip is to see how it sounds when paired with your family name. Some names sound lovely by themselves but won’t necessarily match every surname," says Kirsty.

What's important to each of you?

Discuss what aspects of a name are most important. For example, your partner might think family heritage is essential to consider, while you might prefer something more unique. Understanding your priorities can guide your decision-making.

Mum Louise explains how she and her partner, Jonny, decided on their baby name: "Jonny and I were stuck in a name-choosing deadlock. It seemed that every name I proposed was met with a no from him, and he wasn't offering any alternatives. Frustrated, I decided to compile a list of about 15 names that I genuinely liked and would have been content with any of them. To my surprise, he found three of them acceptable, and from that point, we began the process of elimination. After a couple of weeks, we finally settled on one name that both of us are genuinely pleased with."

Be willing to compromise

You might not get your top choice, but you can find a name that includes elements both of you like. This might mean considering variations of names you both like or finding a name with similar meaning.

Consider middle names

Sometimes, using a name you both like as a middle name can be a good compromise if you can't agree on a first name. This allows both of you to have input.

Take a break if things get heated

If one or both of you start to feel frustrated or stuck, take a break from discussing names for a while. Sometimes, stepping away from the topic (and the arguments!) and revisiting it later can lead to fresh ideas.

Remember that choosing a name is a significant decision, but it's just one part of welcoming a new addition to your family. In the end, what matters most is that you and your partner feel comfortable and happy with the name you choose for your baby.

What are the rules on naming a baby in the UK?

In terms of registering your baby's name, the rules are very clear. While you need to register your baby's birth within 42 days, you don't have to decide on their name within that time frame. In fact, you have up to one full year from the registration date to enter your baby's name into the register.

However, when it comes to what you can name your baby, there's surprisingly little legislation in the UK. According to the Office of National Statistics, "The UK has no law that restricts names that parents can legally give to their children. However, names that contain obscenities, numerals, misleading titles, or are impossible to pronounce are likely to be rejected by the Registering Officer."

So while you have carte blanche to name your baby almost anything, be prepared to have anything that could be considered to be offensive, refused. For example, the Court of Appeal recently stopped a Welsh mother from naming her twin girl 'Cyanide' due to the emotional harm the child could suffer as a result. The Court of Appeal ruled that naming the girl after a "notorious poison" that Adolf Hitler used to end his life was unacceptable.

If you're still looking for inspiration then look no further we've done all the hard work for you, with our baby name generator, or perhaps you know the genre you're after, and country baby names are where your heart lies. Know that if you change your mind you can always make a change, like these celebrities that have changed their baby's names.

Royal baby names - our top 12 favourites in order and why

Lucy Wigley — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 11:58:51 +0000

Royal baby names are often steeped in history, or repurposed into more modern monikers for the newest generation of noble bundles of joy - here are some of our favourites.

When a Royal baby name is revealed, it's usually not long until it lands on lists of the most popular baby names for that year. Elizabeth has always been an enduringly popular name, standing firmly in the list of top 15 baby names that have stood the test of time and consistently remained popular for the last 100 years.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that Prince William's birth in 1982 resurrected the name William, which was about to drop out of the top 50 - it rocketed back into the top 20, remaining popular to this day. His son George was similarly responsible for 20% more babies being named George than prior to his birth.

Some modern Royals are combining tradition with a modern-day form of name upcycling, to form some more unusual baby names for their aristocratic offspring - here is our list of favourite Royal baby names.

Ernest
Lucas
Sienna
Lilibet
August
Lena
Archie
Louis
Charlotte
George
Mia
Isla

A Royal baby name reveal is always an exciting event, but finding out the meaning behind the choice is even more special. Here are our top 12 favourite Royal baby names of all time, including what they mean and why we think they're perfect.

Royal baby names we love and why

1. Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank

When Princess Eugenie gave birth to her second child with Jack Brooksbank on May 30 this year, Royal fans couldn't be more delighted with his chosen name. Of German origin, Ernest is a strong name that means "serious" and "battle to the death." Although the powerful name could be reflective of the battles the child could face with life in the limelight, it was the choice of middle names that had fans gushing.

A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)
A photo posted by on

Announcing his birth on Instagram, Princess Eugenie wrote "He is named after his great great great Grandfather George, his Grandpa George and my Grandpa Ronald." King George V also had Ernest as a middle name, while Jack's father who sadly died in 2021, was also named George. Ronnie likely acts as a nod to Eugenie's Grandfather on her mother's side, Sarah Ferguson's father Maj Ronald Ferguson who passed away in 2003.

2. Lucas Philip Tindall

(Image credit: Paul Marriott/Alamy)

Lucas Philip Tindall is the third child and first son of Zara and Mike Tindall. The Tindalls have a history of simply calling their children names they like, that don't have a deeper meaning - Lucas' first name is no different. The name Lucas means "bringer of light" and it took the couple some time to agree on the name, having first considered James as an option.

Mike had also spoken of his hopes of having a boy after two girls. During his The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, he said "I'd like a boy this time, I've got two girls, I'd like a boy. I'll love it whether a boy or a girl - but please be a boy!" His wish was granted, and the middle name Philip was given to the precious son to honour the Duke of Edinburgh.

3. Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli

Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi was born in 2021 to Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi. It was reported that the name Sienna honours grandmother Sarah Ferguson, the red hair colour running in the family, and Edorado's Italian heritage. A family friend said "They were looking for an Italian name which started with an 'S' for Sarah, to honour the duchess, and also reflected the golden rust colour of both the duchess's hair colour and Beatrice's, which the new baby shares." The name also means "from Siena," a medieval Italian city, in a nod to the baby's father.

Elizabeth is to honour the former Queen Elizabeth, Sienna's great grandmother. We find the level of thought that went into the name utterly adorable, along with the fact that Edoardo's son from a previous relationship has been included through every step of news of Sienna and her arrival. A statement at the time of her birth read "Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have named their daughter Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi. The couple have said, 'We are all doing well and Wolfie [Edo's son from a previous relationship] is the best big brother to Sienna.'"

4. Lilibet Diana

Born in 2021 to the the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Lilibet is known to her family as "Lili." Although Lilibet traditionally is of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my oath," in the case of this Royal baby the name has a different meaning. As a child, the former Queen Elizabeth had difficulty pronouncing her own name, using Lilibet instead. The nickname stuck, and the Queen was known by the name by those close to her, for most of her life.

We love the sweet and playful meaning behind the name, that is likely to see a surge in the name Lilibet used as a first name for many years. Diana is of course, after Harry's mother, the late Princess of Wales. This was confirmed in a statement at the time of Lili's birth, reading "Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales."

5. August Philip Hawke

(Image credit: PA Images/Alamy)

Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank welcomed their first child, August Philip Hawke, in 2021. August is name of Latin origin meaning "to increase" and "great", deriving from the name Augustus which means "exalted" and "venerable". We love that the pair took an unusual name that had meaning for both sides of their families, when selecting it for their first born.

At the time, Eugenie used Instagram stories to explain the meaning behind the unusual choice. She wrote "He is named after his great-grandfather and both of his great x5 grandfathers." Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, was named Franz August Karl Albert Emanuel, and Philip would have been a clear choice after Eugenie's now late grandfather, Prince Philip. The couple revealed Hawke to be a family name stemming from Jack’s side.

A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)
A photo posted by on

On the tot's first birthday, Eugenie shared his sweet nickname. Writing an Instagram post honouring her first child, she revealed his nickname to be Augie; she said "Happy 1st Birthday to our little hero Augie. You are such a special soul that brightens every room with your smile and wave. You have made us so very proud. We love you!"

6. Lena Elizabeth Tindall

Lena Elizabeth Tindall was born in 2018, the second daughter of Zara and Mike Tindall. Zara revealed after the youngster's birth that she originally wanted to name her Elena, but had second thoughts. On realising her daughter's initials would be E.T., Zara made decision to shorten the name to Lena.

Inevitable questions surrounding the meaning of the name arose, with a spokesperson for the down-to-earth couple simply stating that they just happened to like it; the name means "bright" or "ray of light." The little one's middle name however, is clearly a different story and sure to be after the former Queen Elizabeth - we love the hilarious story behind the changing of Lena's name, and the fact it was chosen simply because it's lovely.

7. Archie Harrison

The first born son of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex was given a twist on a traditional name, with a unique meaning. Although traditionally short for Archibald, Archie has become a modern version of the vintage name and a name in its own right. Archie means "genuine", "bold" or "brave," but when he was born in 2019, The Duchess of Sussex revealed the real meaning behind the name.

The moniker isn't linked to any other British Royalty, and is a debut name within the Royal Family. It is thought to have been inspired by the word "arche," a Greek word for "source of action." The word has been used both in the couple's charity name Archewell, and short-lived podcast Archetypes. Harrison is more popular in America where the Duke and Duchess now reside, and also has a literal meaning of "son of Harry."

How lovely that the couple took a traditional name and made it their own, continuing to forge their own path and do things their own way. Meghan has been heard simply referring to Archie as "Arch", and along with frequently referring to Harry as "H", the names are kept quick and simple in the Sussex household!

8. Louis Arthur Charles

(Image credit: Getty)

Louis Arthur Charles is the third child of the Prince and Princess of Wales, and his first name has a very special meaning to the family. Born in 2018, Louis was named after King Charles' beloved great-uncle Louis Mountbatten who died in 1979. On 27 August 1979, Mountbatten was fishing when an IRA planted bomb on his boat detonated. He died along with several members of his family taking the fishing trip with him. Aside from this poignant tribute, Louis means "famous warrior," and is popular within Royal circles.

Arthur is a nod to William and is one of his middle names, while Charles is after King Charles, Prince William's father. A statement at the time of Louis' birth read "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to announce that they have named their son Louis Arthur Charles. The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge." His name might mean famous warrior, but the cheeky youngster is becoming famous for his adorable antics that have cheered up many Royal event.

9. Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, born in 2015, is known as "Lottie" by the Prince and Princess of Wales - the traditional shortening of the name Charlotte. During a conversation at a Royal engagement, Kate was overheard saying "Oh, he's the same age as Lottie," when told a child's age, and we love the pretty and elegant sounds of both the long and shortened versions. Charlotte is the feminine version of the name Charles, which means "free man."

As well as a nod to Kind Charles, Queen Charlotte was the wife of King George III. For Bridgerton fans, Queen Charlotte and her colourful life act as the inspiration for the series spin-off, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Elizabeth was a clear front runner to feature somewhere in Charlotte's name, holding more poignancy now the former Queen is sadly no longer with us. The young princess shares the middle name Diana with cousin Lilibet, also as a tribute to the late Princess of Wales.

10. George Alexander Louis

George Alexander Louis is the first born child of the The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the special meaning of the name "Louis" shines through, as the couple used it twice. The name George however, is about as Royal as it comes, with six King Georges featuring throughout British history; this is surprising given the meaning of the name to be "farmer" or "earthworker". But if anyone can take a name with lowly beginnings and transform it, the Royals can, and this strong name is definitely fit for a future king.

Although the Prince and Princess of Wales haven't revealed a personal nickname for George, his classmates endearingly refer to him as "P.G." His middle name Alexander hasn't featured heavily in British Royal name history, but it is thought to be a nod to the former Queen Elizabeth's middle name, Alexandra. Louis is likely the first homage to the late Louis Mountbatten, and all three choices are perfect for the young Prince, in our opinion.

11. Mia Grace Tindall

The first child born to Zara and Mike Tindall in 2014, Mia Grace Tindall was born in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and is 19th in line to the throne. Zara has never offered a reason for choosing the names Mia or Grace, but likely went with the way she chose siblings Lena and Lucas' names and simply liked how they sounded.

Mia means "Moon," "Beloved" and "Star of the sea," and is of Australian origin. Stemming from the Nyungar language, it is thought to inspire babies with the name to be grounded and connected to nature - perfect for the rural living Tindalls, who love the outdoor life!

12. Isla Elizabeth Philips

(Image credit: Amanda Rose/Alamy)

Isla Elizabeth Philips is the second child of Peter Philips and now former wife Autumn Philips. Born in 2012, the name Isla was not hugely popular at the time of her birth, but rocketed 268 places up the names leader board the year she was born - she could have been the pioneer in seeing the popularity soar.

The pretty first name works perfectly with the middle name that is once again, a clear nod to the late Queen Elizabeth. Three of the former Queen's four granddaughters have the middle name Elizabeth, with many of those passing it to their own daughters as a middle name. With a lengthy reign and enduring popularity, the name is sure to remain popular for decades to come.

For something really unusual, we know all the cool baby names for a little one who will really stand out from the crowd. If it's a genius you're after, these smartest baby names could produce the next one. A choice of millionaire baby names could be for you, if you want your offspring to be in the money when they're older.

Australia's top baby names of 2022 have been revealed and gender-neutral names are on the up

emma.dooney@futurenet.com (Emma Dooney) — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:42:05 +0000

Gender-neutral monikers are on the rise, according to new research on Australia's most popular baby names.

It's been over a year since the list of Britain's most popular baby names was revealed, which means one thing - it's time for another round-up.

The ONS research showed that Olivia has held the top spot as the favorite girls' moniker since 2016, while its masculine equivalent, Oliver, has been knocked to runner-up after being beaten by 'Noah'.

Recent findings have also shown royal baby names to be making a comeback, along with unique baby names, such as Lovella and Nyla.

(Image credit: Getty)

As has always been the case, the media has also influenced parents' decisions on what to call their little ones.

Bridgerton-inspired baby names are soaring in the aftermath of the Netflix show's popularity, while iconic Disney names, such as Bambi and Buzz, are also seeing a renaissance on birth certificates across the world. Celebrity-inspired names, including Leo (Leonardo Di Caprio) and Willow (Willow Smith), are other examples of how popular culture continues to shape our schools' rollcalls.

If that wasn't enough to get you excited, Australia's most popular baby names of 2022 have now officially been revealed in data conducted by McCrindle Research.

The title of the most popular name for girls, which belonged to Isla in 2021, was won by Charlotte this year. The sweet French-inspired moniker, which saw a rise in popularity following the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015, was given to 1395 babies in Australia last year. Meanwhile, 'Oliver' was declared the favorite name for boys after it was bestowed onto a whopping 2,276 babies.

(Image credit: romrodinka via Getty)

The list of the 100 most popular names welcomed 12 new additions, including Remy, Roman, Alfie, Reuben, Koa, Louie, Tomm, Eliana, Thea, Margot, Maisie, and Gracie.

Gender-neutral names are also growing in popularity, with names like Charlie, Riley, Casey, and Morgan all climbing the ranks of the top 100 list.

Elsewhere in the report, it was revealed that parents are getting creative in small ways when naming their child, such as how the moniker is spelled.

It also said that "traditionally English names" remain very popular in Australia, with Jack, William, James, and George all making the top 30 list. Meanwhile, the three fastest-growing boy names over the past 10 years - Luca, Leo, and Hugo, are all non-English.

Bridgerton baby names: 33 names for boys and girls inspired by the Netflix show

ellie.hutchings@futurenet.com (Ellie Hutchings) — Wed, 17 May 2023 09:46:11 +0000

The Netflix show has proved to be a huge hit, so it's no surprise that Bridgerton baby names have soared in popularity.

Choosing the perfect name for your child isn't easy, there are so many to pick from and it's hard to decide whether to choose a unique baby name or something more traditional - such as these names that have been popular since the 1920s.

Many choose to take inspiration from their favourite books and TV shows, which is why it comes as no surprise that Bridgerton baby names are set to be some of the most popular baby names in 2023. Set in London in 1813, the series includes plenty of 19th century inspired names - though some are more historically accurate than others.

Bridgerton baby names for girls

Daphne
Violet
Eloise
Charlotte
Penelope
Hyacinth
Kate
Edwina
Marina
Philippa
Prudence
Mary
Siena
Portia
Rose
Cressida
Genevieve
Alice
Francesca

(Image credit: Netflix)

Bridgerton baby names for boys

Anthony
Colin
Simon
Benedict
Gregory
Archibald
Will
Theo
Jack
Henry
George
Nigel
Oliver
Edmund

(Image credit: Netflix)

What are the Bridgerton children's names?

The eight Bridgerton siblings are called Anthony, Benedict, Colin, Daphne, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory and Hyacinth. Anthony is the oldest - he's 30 in the first season - while youngest sibling Hyacinth is 11.

As you may have noticed, the Bridgerton children are named alphabetically, from oldest to youngest. In the first season of the show, Viscountess Bridgerton explains that she and her late husband decided to name their children in this way because they found it orderly.

What is Daphne and Simon's baby name?

Daphne and Simon's baby is called August - nicknamed Augie. The name is revealed by Daphne in season two, and suggests the Duke and Duchess are sticking to the Bridgerton family tradition of naming their children in alphabetical order.

This differs to the baby names in Julia Quinn's original Bridgerton books, in which Simon and Daphne's first child is called Amelia, followed by two more daughters, Belinda and Caroline, before welcoming two sons, David and Edward.

Where can you watch Bridgerton?

Netflix is the place to watch it, here you can catch up on the first two seasons. Bridgerton is a glossy period drama with a modern twist, it started in late 2020 and was excellent viewing. Rhonda Shimes, the shows producer ensured it was full of scandal, drama, sex, romance, and amazing classical twists on modern songs. It was the TV series that had us all hooked on Lady Whistledown's gossip from start to finish.

The first series was inspired by Juila Quinn's book - 'The Duke and I' - which is the first of eight so there is plenty of material to see us binge on Bridgerton for quite a while longer. Season 2 is now available and Netflix has already confirmed a season 3 and 4 so far.

Looking for more baby name inspiration? Check out our lists of Disney baby names, royal baby names and flower baby names too.

Video of the Week

The surprising royal baby names making a comeback revealed

emma.dooney@futurenet.com (Emma Dooney) — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:45:56 +0000

Royal baby names are back as two of the most famous female monikers in the British monarchy make the list of the top 100 most popular baby names of 2023.

It’s no secret that picking a baby name can be quite the challenge, with parents often struggling to commit to a lifelong moniker for their precious newborn. Baby name regret is a major issue faced by mums and dads across the UK, with an estimated 18% admitting they wish they'd called their child something different in hindsight.

Luckily, today’s digital age provides plenty of resources to help make the decision-making process that little bit easier. From this list of unique baby names to this round-up of animal baby names and there's even Bridgerton baby names too, the Internet is heaving with inspiration on what to call your adorable tot.

Princess Beatrice (Image credit: Getty)

Unsurprisingly, many of today’s most common baby names have their roots in popular culture and trending news. This is especially true in the case of the Royal Family, which has been influencing baby names since the 1800s.

In fact, new research conducted by UK Insurance Agency, Protectivity, has found that ‘Beatrice’ and ‘Lilly’ fall into the country’s 100 most popular baby names for 2023.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This should quickly ring a bell with royal fans, who will likely already know that the former is the name of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s elder daughter.

Princess Beatrice of York was born to the royal couple on August 8, 1988, two years before the arrival of their second child, Princess Eugenie. She was famously named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s daughter and youngest child, Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom.

Lilly, which is a variation of ‘Lili’, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s second child, also made the list. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex named their royal daughter, who was born on June 4, 2021, after her great-grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was born Princess Elizabeth but went by ‘Lilibet’ as a child, and reportedly continued to do so as an adult within her close circle.

Ectopic pregnancy symptoms: signs, treatments and support

tannoamice@gmail.com (Tannice Hemming) — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 11:25:49 +0000

Ectopic pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that forms outside the uterus - usually within the fallopian tubes. It can be dangerous for the mother and will always result in miscarriage.

This is because the embryo in an ectopic pregnancy cannot survive where it has been implanted. Signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy vary but are usually detected when a woman experiences uterine pain in the earliest weeks of pregnancy.

Gynaecologist Dr Chantal Simonis of the TFP Fertility Clinic tells us; “Ectopic pregnancies are rare but can be very dangerous, so we need to be very cautious about checking for them. They can cause rupture of the fallopian tubes, which is a life-threatening emergency. Women who have missed a period or have a positive pregnancy test as well as pain and/or bleeding should be evaluated for ectopic pregnancy by a specialist in early pregnancy”.

Ectopic pregnancy symptoms

Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area (usually on one side)
Feeling nauseous or being sick,
Faintness, dizziness, lightheadedness
Some vaginal bleeding
Pain in the shoulder tip area, caused by internal bleeding that “refers” the pain to the area around the shoulder blade on one side

Less common symptoms can include:

Diarrhoea or pain when you urinate or have a bowel movement
An uncomfortable feeling when you lie down - like you’re very full in the abdomen. This is more common if you’ve already been pregnant before.
Some back pain

However, ectopic pregnancy symptoms differ and some women won’t be aware they are even pregnant when an ectopic pregnancy is discovered. Dangerous ectopic pregnancy symptoms can develop very quickly. If an ectopic pregnancy has implanted inside your fallopian tube (98% of ectopic pregnancies), it can rupture the tube and cause internal bleeding. This is a life-threatening emergency and will need immediate medical assistance.

It’s also important to note that an estimated 40% of ectopic pregnancies go undiagnosed at first examination. So if you are worried and don’t feel your symptoms are being taken seriously enough, push for a second opinion.

Dr. Chantal Simonis, adds, "Someone who is having an ectopic pregnancy might feel pain on one or the other side, which is a classic sign. Shoulder pain can also be a sign but it doesn’t occur in every case of ectopic pregnancy. It’s caused by irritation of the peritoneum (the membrane that covers the abdominal lining) and the pain gets “referred” by nerves running up to the shoulder. If you have missed your period or have a positive pregnancy test and you’re experiencing pain, get checked out. It could save your future fertility - and even your life.”

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What causes an ectopic pregnancy?

It’s not always clear why some pregnancies don’t implant where they should (in the uterus) and 15–20 percent of ectopic pregnancies happen in women with no obvious risk factors.

Ectopic pregnancy risk factors include:

Fertility treatment - research indicates IVF raises the risk of ectopic pregnancy by 2-5 per cent)
Previous or current Pelvic Inflammatory disease - according to a study of more than 30,000 women
Chlamydia - according to the University of Edinburgh)
Previous ectopic pregnancy - which increases your risk by 10%
Smoking - one study found that nicotine alters the microenvironment of the fallopian tubes
Being over 35 - as you get older you're at greater risk, due to the reduced function of the fallopian tubes, Yeko et al)
A history of previous gynaecological problems - like endometriosis or damage to the fallopian tubes
Previous caesarean - scarring within the uterus, accounts for 6% of ectopic pregnancies in women with previous caesarean scars.

Can a baby survive an ectopic pregnancy?

Unfortunately, there is no way to save an ectopic pregnancy. It will always need to end in the loss of the pregnancy. That’s because the early embryo does not have the space or the right environment to develop and thrive where it is located. Only embryos that implant in the uterus can survive. If an ectopic pregnancy goes undetected, it can cause serious problems for the mother.

Complications of undetected ectopic pregnancy include:

Rupture of a fallopian tube
Need for fallopian tube removal (surgically)
Hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
Severe internal bleeding
Blood transfusion
In rare cases, death of the mother

In the UK, ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of death in the first trimester of pregnancy, but it is still an incredibly rare occurrence. The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust says that around two women a year die from an ectopic pregnancy and around 12,000 ectopic pregnancies occur every year.

When does ectopic pregnancy pain start?

In the majority of ectopic pregnancies, the pain will start early, around 4-8 weeks after your last period. Early detection is key before it causes serious complications. When an ectopic pregnancy is not within the fallopian tubes, the pain can start later.

Diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy

Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy can only be done by experienced medical professionals, using a combined testing system of ultrasound and blood tests. Sometimes, when your symptoms do not prove ectopic pregnancy, but it is still suspected, surgical assessment might be necessary.

Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Chantal Simonis, explains: “In a pregnancy less than 6 weeks after the last period, sometimes the sonographer cannot detect such a tiny sac. This is especially difficult if a heartbeat has not yet developed. So we also use blood tests done 48 hours apart. This can show us the levels of the HCG hormone in your blood and we will compare those numbers with normal pregnancy hormone levels. It’s about building a complex picture of your symptoms, ultrasound pictures, and blood test results.”

HCG Levels

Ectopic pregnancy can be detected through blood tests, when used in conjunction with ultrasound scans. Two blood tests, to analyse the level of HCG (the pregnancy hormone) should be done 48 hours apart.

Your HCG levels might also be monitored after a natural miscarriage caused by an ectopic pregnancy, to make sure that your body is returning to normal hormone levels.

Ultrasound scan

Pregnancy ultrasounds, using high-frequency sound waves, allow us to look inside the body. They’re a complex technology used by highly trained radiographers and sonographers to detect ectopic pregnancy. Normal pregnancies are usually easily identified as sacs within the uterine cavity.

Transvaginal ultrasounds

If you have a scan to identify ectopic pregnancy, you will usually be asked to consent to a transvaginal ("through the vagina") scan. This means the probe, shaped for the interior of the vagina, will be used to look closely at your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tube. It will be covered by a medical-grade plastic sheath (sometimes a condom is used) for hygiene. You will have the opportunity to change somewhere private and cover your pubic area with a sheet for your privacy. They will usually invite another healthcare professional into the room to act as a chaperone. It might be uncomfortable or feel strange, but it should not hurt.

Abdominal scans, which are the ones most commonly associated with pregnancy, may not be precise enough to detect such an early scan. If you have a transvaginal scan, you may be asked to empty your bladder beforehand to make it easier for the sonographer to see. A full bladder obscures their view using transvaginal scans, whereas a full bladder for an abdominal scan is helpful.

Source: StatPearls Medical database

Consent - it’s up to you! Please note that you do not have to consent to a transvaginal scan. It is up to you and an abdominal scan can be performed. The team looking after you will explain everything and understand if a transvaginal scan might cause you distress for any reason. You can also “withdraw consent” at any time during the ultrasound and say that you want it to stop.

Laparascopy (surgery)

In rare cases, if HCG blood tests combined with ultrasound tests are inconclusive, surgery may be recommended. This is unusual as the majority of ectopic pregnancies can be detected without laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery.

Ectopic pregnancy treatments

Treatment is not always necessary for ectopic pregnancies and many are only discovered when they have triggered a natural (i.e. non-medical or surgically prompted) miscarriage.

Depending on your symptoms and your wellness when you are seen by a doctor, you might be able to let the miscarriage happen naturally. In other cases, however, medical intervention might be recommended or necessary.

Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr Chantal Simonis, explains: “If it’s safe to do so, a doctor will offer “conservative” management, which is letting your body miscarry naturally. We’ll monitor your hormone levels to see if they’ve dropped how they should. However, that’s not always the best option. If you present to a doctor and you’re very ill, we will act to do what we can to save your future fertility. Of course, in very severe cases, we will just focus on doing what we can to save your life. We’ll always look to preserve fallopian tubes where we can, but sometimes it’s necessary to remove one. This happens if there’s been severe damage from rupture. In most cases, we can save the tube and you will recover (physically) within a few days.”

Medical management

Medical management involves taking drugs to make your body miscarry. The most common drug used for this purpose is called methotrexate. This drug, which is also used in cancer treatment, stops your body from producing the enzymes that continue a pregnancy. It also stops rupture and stops the cells from growing. That will result in your body miscarrying the pregnancy. A few hours to days after taking this drug, you will start to bleed and miscarry.

Side effects of medical management for ectopic pregnancy (methotrexate):

Feeling sick or being sick
Fatigue
Sensitivity to light
Minor skin rash
Mouth ulcers
Decreased appetite
Diarrhoea

Blood tests will be performed a week after you take methotrexate to check your liver function is normal.

(Source: British National Formulary)

If you are currently breastfeeding and given methotrexate, you may be advised to stop. However, information from the pharmacists at the Breastfeeding Network suggests that it’s safe to continue breastfeeding 24 hours after you take methotrexate.

Most women who are diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy and who are not already miscarrying will be offered medical management, to stop rupture from occurring. Methotrexate is 95% effective to end an ectopic pregnancy, so there is a small chance it might not work. In these cases, you will need surgical management.

Surgical management of ectopic pregnancy

If you are very unwell, experiencing severe bleeding or it is suspected (or confirmed) your fallopian tube has ruptured, surgery is likely your safest option. There are two different types of surgical options:

Salpingostomy, which leaves your tube intact and removes the pregnancy
Salpingectomy, which removes the tube and the pregnancy

The surgery that’s right for you won’t be obvious until your surgeon is able to see the extent of the damage that has been done by the ectopic pregnancy. In most cases, surgeons will try as best they can to avoid salpingectomy, as it’s best for you to keep both your fallopian tubes if possible. Once you are awake from the anaesthesia, your surgeon will explain what happened during surgery and the reasons for their decisions. They will also be able to tell you what this means for your future fertility.

Minor complications occur in 1% of those who undergo surgical management of ectopic pregnancy and include:

Infection after surgery
Wound infection, bleeding or discomfort around your incisions
Nausea and vomiting

Major complications are less common (1 in 1000) and include:

Not being able to find the ectopic pregnancy
Damage to your internal organs (bladder, bowel)
Nerve damage

Source: NHS patient information

Will an ectopic pregnancy reduce my chances of getting pregnant?

If you have had surgical management of a previous ectopic pregnancy that meant your tube was removed (salpingectomy) then it has commonly been believed that this can reduce your chances of getting pregnant. However, research comparing removal of the tube and saving the tube (salpingotomy) in 446 women has shown this not to be the case.

Another, larger study of 1,229 women came to the same conclusion; that the outcomes for both procedures were broadly the same.

Once you have had one ectopic pregnancy, you are at a 10 percent increased risk for another. However, this means that 90% of pregnancies after ectopic pregnancy will be normal and healthy, this is according to the Miscarriage Association.

Conceiving after medical management

If you are given methotrexate to manage ectopic pregnancy, you are advised to wait three months before trying to conceive again. This is because it can affect future pregnancies if you do not wait and conceive too early. It also depletes your body of folic acid, which is essential for preventing birth defects.

Can you have a normal pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy?

Absolutely, you can go on to have a healthy and normal pregnancy after an ectopic pregnancy. Once you have conceived again after a previous ectopic pregnancy, you will be recommended to have an early scan (around 7 weeks) to check the location of your pregnancy

There is no evidence that a previous ectopic pregnancy will have any effect on the development of your next pregnancy. It will not affect your birth options or plans, either.

Source: Miscarriage Association, Ectopic Pregnancy

Support after an ectopic pregnancy

Dealing with the grief of an ectopic pregnancy can be difficult, whether it was a planned pregnancy or not. Your feelings of grief and loss are valid - losing a pregnancy at an early stage is no less painful than one at a later stage. You may feel confused and have some complex feelings around the treatment and what happened before your diagnosis.

Whatever you feel is normal and everyone deals with grief differently. Anger is common; wondering why this has happened to you and whether you could have done something to prevent it. Miscarriage is very cruel and it can have lasting psychological effects on you and your partner. You may also find that other people’s responses to your grief are difficult to deal with too, if you choose to tell people what has happened.

There is support available, in the form of peer support groups, counselling and information from charities:

These include the Miscarriage Association.
One popular podcast, “The Worst Girl Gang Ever” has been helpful for many who have miscarried. Accessing a community of people who know exactly how you feel can really help you cope.
If you are struggling with your mental health, speak to your GP. They can sometimes help with medication. You can also refer yourself for psychological therapy through the NHS.

Dr Simonis says that grief from an ectopic pregnancy is sometimes different from other miscarriages and not well understood by others. She says “People underestimate the grief that accompanies ectopic pregnancy because the baby will never be viable (compatible with life). For some couples who experience an ectopic pregnancy, it feels somehow worse because of the nature of the pregnancy. They’ve sometimes had to trigger a miscarriage to save their own life. That can bring up very complex feelings. We need to support people who have suffered these losses and perhaps undergone the trauma of collapse and emergency surgery. It can be a very scary situation.”

Braxton Hicks contractions - false labour pains explained

tannoamice@gmail.com (Tannice Hemming) — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 07:36:52 +0000

Braxton Hicks contractions: uncomfortable and frustrating 'practice' contractions in pregnancy, can mean many women feel worried they’re in labour. These tightenings of the womb are similar to the real contractions of early labour, but there are a few differences. Whilst they’re likely to cause discomfort, they don’t make any changes to your cervix and they don’t usually have a pattern.

Hannah O’Sullivan, NHS Registered Midwife from the Positive Birth Company, explained, “Some people get Braxton Hicks more than others and we don’t really know why. They will usually increase in frequency the closer you get to giving birth. They shouldn’t be painful and shouldn’t be really strong. Contractions that are regular and rhythmic are more likely to be the real thing. Something important to note is that Braxton Hicks contractions are all in the bump rather than the back. So you shouldn’t be experiencing new back pain or heaviness in the groin or the bottom that you don’t have before with Braxton Hicks.”

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Braxton Hicks contractions are tightenings of the uterus and very similar to real contractions, but with some key differences. Real contractions make changes to your cervix; the lower part of your uterus, which dilates (opens) and thins to make way for your baby during labour. Braxton Hicks contractions don’t have a pattern and won’t become more frequent or closer together as real contractions do.

Research shows that Braxton Hicks contractions may start as early as 6 weeks, but you usually won’t feel them as early as this. Whilst evidence for their purpose is limited, it is thought that they increase blood flow to the uterus and “tone” the womb for the total workout to come when labour does start.

One study, published in 2021, suggests that Braxton Hicks are associated with better wellbeing in the baby. It found that women who experienced Braxton Hicks in the last two weeks of pregnancy had babies with a healthier heart rate and fewer signs of distress (shown as heart rate accelerations and variations within them).

Registered Midwife Hannah O’Sullivan, “Just like you wouldn’t run a marathon without training, your uterus is stretching and toning itself ready for the main event of labour. Braxton Hicks won’t thin (efface) your cervix or dilate it at all, but they do prepare you and your body for labour. Felt entirely in the bump, these tightenings can be annoying and stressful. If you’ve mistaken Braxton Hicks for labour, you’re not alone. If you’re ever worried about contractions, though, always contact your maternity assessment unit and they can help you rule out premature labour (before 37 weeks).”

Why are they called Braxton Hicks?

Braxton Hicks contractions are named after the British Physician who first described them, John Braxton Hicks, who was President of the Obstetrical Society of London in the 1870s. Described by his colleagues as a “obstetric pioneer”, he wrote 133 medical publications.

But after many years’ constant observation,[..] the uterus possesses the power and habit of spontaneously contracting and relaxing from a very early period of pregnancy.

Ahead of his time, his research theorised the purpose of these Braxton Hicks contractions was to increase blood flow to the uterus and get the baby in the right position for labour.

“In the first place, it will provide for the frequent movement of the blood in the [uterus]. In the second place, the uterine action adapts the position of the foetus to the form of the uterus ... the motions of the foetus combine with the preparatory pains of labour to secure the head to present.”

What do Braxton Hicks feel like?

Braxton Hicks contractions are usually all felt in the bump and will make your entire stomach go incredibly hard. They can be associated with pains that resemble the cramping sensation of period pain. Real contractions do this too, but usually move in a rhythmic way, down the bump and are also felt in your back and bottom.

Mum-of-two Jenny told us, “I found Braxton Hicks really annoying mostly. I used to get them the most on the weekend when I was a bit more active, they must have been prompted by activity. My whole bump would go hard and it made being out and about quite uncomfortable. Sitting down for a bit and having a drink helped. So did emptying my bladder often.”

Are Braxton Hicks contractions painful?

Although Braxton Hicks are usually uncomfortable, most women don’t describe them as painful. However, everyone’s understanding and appreciation of the line between discomfort and pain is different. If you are overly uncomfortable, it’s ok to take paracetamol-based painkillers as long as you haven’t been told not to by a doctor or midwife. Remember that ibuprofen is not recommended in pregnancy.

How to calm down Braxton Hicks

You can use heat to soothe a tight and achy bump that is irritated by Braxton Hicks. A warm bath and rest, or wheat packs designed for heating in the microwave should help.

Midwife Hannah O’Sullivan suggests, “Having a drink and a rest is a good idea. Anecdotally, increasing magnesium and potassium has seemed to work for some women. Also, try to move position, or lay down on your left side and rest. Laying on your left side promotes blood flow, which is good for your circulation and your baby.”

When do Braxton Hicks start?

Although research suggests [5] they start around 6 weeks of pregnancy, Braxton Hicks contractions are not usually noticeable until midway through the second trimester, around 16 weeks. However, if you have been pregnant before (or are growing more than one baby), you may notice them earlier.

What can trigger Braxton Hicks?

Though some Braxton Hicks won’t have a particular trigger, there does seem to be a correlation with activity and hydration levels.

Braxton Hicks can be prompted by:

An overly full bladder.
Dehydration.
Over-exertion and being on your feet too long.

How long do Braxton Hicks last?

Most Braxton Hicks contractions won’t last more than a couple of minutes at a time, so the discomfort is temporary. If they are lasting longer than that, or seem to be increasing in intensity, duration and frequency, it’s possible that you’re actually experiencing real labour.

Hannah O’Sullivan, Registered Midwife explains “you shouldn’t be getting a long period of Braxton Hicks, it is usually a more random thing that happens every now and again. If there is any kind of rhythm, it’s worth having a chat with your maternity unit, especially if it’s before 37 weeks."

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Difference between Braxton Hicks and contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are:

irregular in how long they last and how intense they are (they might last a few seconds or a few minutes)
Totally unpredictable but might be prompted by dehydration or a full bladder
Uncomfortable but not painful
Relieved by rest

Braxton Hicks contractions do not

Make any changes to your cervix (unlike real contractions)
Increase in frequency or duration (real contractions become closer together and last longer)
Rise in intensity (real contractions usually become so intense you cannot talk through them)

@5thbabybump
♬ TWINNEM - Coi Leray

Braxton Hicks: uncomfortable and frustrating 'practice' contractions in pregnancy, can mean many women feel worried they’re in labour. These tightenings of the womb are similar to the real contractions of early labour, but there are a few differences. Whilst they’re likely to cause discomfort, they don’t make any changes to your cervix and they don’t usually have a pattern.

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Why are they called Braxton Hicks?

But after many years’ constant observation,[..] the uterus possesses the power and habit of spontaneously contracting and relaxing from a very early period of pregnancy.

Ahead of his time, his research theorised the purpose of these Braxton Hicks contractions was to increase blood flow to the uterus and get the baby in the right position for labour.

What do Braxton Hicks feel like?

Are Braxton Hicks contractions painful?

How to calm down Braxton Hicks

You can use heat to soothe a tight and achy bump that is irritated by Braxton Hicks. A warm bath and rest, or wheat packs designed for heating in the microwave should help.

When do Braxton Hicks start?

What can trigger Braxton Hicks?

Though some Braxton Hicks won’t have a particular trigger, there does seem to be a correlation with activity and hydration levels.

Braxton Hicks can be prompted by:

An overly full bladder.
Dehydration.
Over-exertion and being on your feet too long.

How long do Braxton Hicks last?

A post shared by Anishnawbe Mushkiki (@anishnawbe_mushkiki)
A photo posted by on

Difference between Braxton Hicks and contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are:

irregular in how long they last and how intense they are (they might last a few seconds or a few minutes)
Totally unpredictable but might be prompted by dehydration or a full bladder
Uncomfortable but not painful
Relieved by rest

Braxton Hicks contractions do not

Make any changes to your cervix (unlike real contractions)
Increase in frequency or duration (real contractions become closer together and last longer)
Rise in intensity (real contractions usually become so intense you cannot talk through them)

@5thbabybump
♬ TWINNEM - Coi Leray

What are Braxton Hicks contractions?

Why are they called Braxton Hicks?

But after many years’ constant observation,[..] the uterus possesses the power and habit of spontaneously contracting and relaxing from a very early period of pregnancy.

Ahead of his time, his research theorised the purpose of these Braxton Hicks contractions was to increase blood flow to the uterus and get the baby in the right position for labour.

What do Braxton Hicks feel like?

Are Braxton Hicks contractions painful?

How to calm down Braxton Hicks

You can use heat to soothe a tight and achy bump that is irritated by Braxton Hicks. A warm bath and rest, or wheat packs designed for heating in the microwave should help.

When do Braxton Hicks start?

What can trigger Braxton Hicks?

Though some Braxton Hicks won’t have a particular trigger, there does seem to be a correlation with activity and hydration levels.

Braxton Hicks can be prompted by:

An overly full bladder.
Dehydration.
Over-exertion and being on your feet too long.

How long do Braxton Hicks last?

A post shared by Anishnawbe Mushkiki (@anishnawbe_mushkiki)
A photo posted by on

Difference between Braxton Hicks and contractions

Braxton Hicks contractions are:

irregular in how long they last and how intense they are (they might last a few seconds or a few minutes)
Totally unpredictable but might be prompted by dehydration or a full bladder
Uncomfortable but not painful
Relieved by rest

Braxton Hicks contractions do not

Make any changes to your cervix (unlike real contractions)
Increase in frequency or duration (real contractions become closer together and last longer)
Rise in intensity (real contractions usually become so intense you cannot talk through them)

@5thbabybump
♬ TWINNEM - Coi Leray

Ramzi Theory: How to predict your baby's gender at just 6 weeks gestation

stephanie.lowe@futurenet.com (Stephanie Lowe) — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 12:39:24 +0000

The Ramzi Theory suggests that the gender of a foetus can be predicted as early as 6 weeks pregnant, meaning you might not have to wait for your 20 week scan to find out if you're having a boy or girl.

The theory can be over 97% accurate. However, there's a catch. Like the popular Nub Theory, you need a pregnancy ultrasound photo to try the Ramzi Theory, however the scan needs to be taken before you are nine weeks pregnant. This is because the Ramzi Theory uses the placement of the placenta to help predict your baby's gender and if you're past nine weeks it is considered too late to use it, as it is impossible to tell where the placenta originally implanted.

"The Ramzi Theory is a playful guess, a bit of fun," Amanda Bastianelli, specialist Midwife and sonographer tells us. "Its not looking at the baby itself - they look like little prawns - they’re about 15mm before 11 weeks. Instead, it focuses on which side of the image the placenta is forming."

The NHS rarely offers an ultrasound scan before 8-12 weeks pregnant, however, some people choose to pay privately for a viability scan that can be done between 6 and 10 weeks to check whether a pregnancy is developing normally. But, if you do get a scan photo early on, here's how you maybe able to predict your baby's gender as early as 6 weeks gestation using the Ramzi Theory.

What is the Ramzi Theory?

Also known as Ramzi's method, the Ramzi Theory claims to be able to determine if your baby is a boy or girl by as early as six weeks, instead of the usual 20 weeks, using a 2D ultrasound picture to see which side the placenta is on.

Amanda explains; "If the placenta is on the right side, then you are believed to be having a boy. But if the placenta is on the left then there is a high likelihood that the child will be a girl."

People first started talking about the Ramzi Theory after a Dr Saad Ramzi Ismail's study, was published online on Obgyn.net.com, a US website run by medical company MJH Life Sciences, in 2011.

How does the Ramzi Theory work?

The key is to look for a bright area around the sac, the large cavity of fluid surrounding the embryo, where the placenta is going to start growing. Ideally you need a medical professional who is familiar with the Ramzi Theory to help interpret the scan results for you.

"In early pregnancy, so before 11 weeks, there are changes that happen quickly - one of which is the development of the placenta. Up to 9 weeks there is no placenta. But our bodies will send out arteries and these will be embedding a pregnancy sac into the uterus, sending blood flow through, so on an ultrasound image a clinician will see a denser area." Amanda says.

Your doctor may be able to help by pointing out the placenta for you. (Image credit: Getty)

According to the theory, if your placenta has implanted on the left side of your body, there is a 97.5% chance you are having a girl. If your placenta is on the right side of your body, there is a 97.2% chance you are having a boy.

However, not all scans are performed the same and the positioning of the placenta will depend on whether it is an abdominal or transvaginal scan. Images may be 'flipped' or 'mirrored' if it is an abdominal scan, meaning the left side is actually the right. But if it is a transvaginal scan then the placenta will appear on the 'same side'.

Amanda warns that even if you pay for a scan, many qualified clinicians wouldn't make a gender prediction based on this. "All medical professionals are regulated by the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and, whether you pay or not, all scans are for diagnostic reasons. Health professionals are conscious as to the ethical side of things and there are occasionally people who might make a decision based on a gender."

She goes on to add; "For all registered professionals it would be against code of practice to make a guess in early pregnancy if it potentially meant ethical choices. Though they would happily share a print of your scan for you to have a playful guess at home."

When doesn't the Ramzi Theory work?

It can be much more difficult to determine the position of the placenta if you're carrying twins or multiple foetuses. In these cases, the results may not be accurate.

It also depends very much on how each baby develops in the womb, which varies between woman to woman.

"Each expectant mother carries their baby differently, and baby development happens at a different speed, therefore images may not be accurate," says Eliza Flynn from Biamother.

"For example, the development of a baby at 8 weeks and 3 days, could actually be the same as another baby at 7 weeks, 6 days, so it is hard to make an accurate prediction."

In this ultrasound of a twin pregnancy at approximately four weeks gestation, it's difficult to determine the position of the placenta in the picture. (Image credit: Getty)

How accurate is The Ramzi Theory?

Overall, the Ramzi Theory is not thought to be that accurate. Some claim that the method is as much as 97% reliable. People who are in favour of the Ramzi Theory, regularly refer to this study which involved a number of ultrasounds. However, that study has not undergone peer review, and Dr. Saam Ramzi Ismail, who put his name to the theory, did not publish his research in a peer-reviewed journal, which would have left it open to scrutiny from doctors or scientists with expertise in this area to check it for its methodology, quality, and accuracy.

In addition, we also found out that Dr Ramzi isn't a qualified doctor. An interview on lifestyle blog, bottlesoup, claims he has a PhD in Public Health and a master's degree in medical ultrasounds.

While no major medical organization recognises the theory as valid, a 2010 study Trusted Source in a peer-reviewed journal also disputed the theory that placental location correlates with sex.

Eliza agrees, saying that it really is just a 50/50 chance of an accurate prediction; "The main theory is dependent on which side your placenta is on; if the placenta is on your right, it is a girl, and if it is on the left, it’s a boy. However, there is no scientific evidence to back this up and it is highly unlikely that this theory has any validity."

Methods to try other than Ramzi Theory

You could still use other methods to try and work out if you're carrying a baby boy or a baby girl before your 20 week scan.

The Skull Theory can be tried once you have your 12 weeks scan, or if you develop a natural line on your stomach during your pregnancy (known as the Linea Nigra) then this is also apparently a good indicator if you might have a boy or girl.

There are supposedly other ways to find out what gender your baby will be but the best is an ultrasound from 16 weeks on. (Image credit: Getty)

If you don't have a scan photo in the early weeks of your pregnancy, you can still try and predict your baby's gender using astrology and the ancient Chinese Birth Chart, or there are also a ton of old wives' tales about pregnancy that can help you guess if you're carrying a boy or a girl.

Amanda adds: "Gender forms 16 weeks onwards - the nub will have gone in if it's a girl and out if it's a boy. On ultrasound, the sonographer would look for the ‘potty shot’ so you can see genitals clearly. This option would be of gender prediction 99.9% accurate."

Who is Ramzi Theory named after?

Dr. Saam Ramzi Ismail developed the Ramzi Theory after conducting a controlled study of over 5,000 pregnant women. In this study, he was looking at the direction or orientation of the chorionic villi - the hairlike formations that become the placenta - as an accurate marker in determining the gender of the baby.

While many parents use the Ramzi Theory there has been no peer-reviewed research or evidence to back up Dr Ismail's claims.

Related features:

Video of the Week:

Baby gender predictor tests to try at home

stephanie.lowe@futurenet.com (Stephanie Lowe) — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 12:16:03 +0000

Baby gender predictor tests are a fun way to try and guess if you are having a boy or a girl before your 20-week scan.

While the pregnancy scan that is carried out when you're between 18 and 21 weeks pregnant is your first official chance to find out the sex of your baby, there are actually quite a few ways to predict the gender of your baby before you find out from the sonographer.

Ranging from the Chinese birth chart - an ancient method of baby gender prediction that dates back to the 13th century - to more modern baby gender predictors tests - such as nub theory, skull theory, and Ramzi theory these methods are meant to be fun rather than factual.

After all, guessing the gender of your baby and considering old wives' tales about pregnancy are an enjoyable and exciting part of expecting – even if you decide to keep the sex a secret until the birth!

Baby gender predictor tests to try at home

Some of these baby gender predictor tests are based on scans but others are based on old superstitions. If you have a hunch about the sex of your child, try a few of these different baby gender prediction methods and see if the answers match up!

Nub Theory

One of the most popular (and some may argue most accurate) methods of baby gender prediction in the early stages of pregnancy is the Nub Theory test.

You can try the Nub Theory for yourself once you have your 12-week ultrasound picture. The theory is based on the fact that between the stages of 11-13 weeks, all babies have a ‘nub’ between their legs. This is called the genital tubercle. According to this baby gender predictor test, the angle of the nub indicates whether you are having a boy or a girl.

Find out how to try the Nub Theory at home here.

(Credit: Getty)

Chinese birth chart baby gender predictor

While the exact date that this baby gender prediction method was first used is not known, it is thought that the ancient art of predicting a baby's gender using a Chinese birth chart dates back to at least the 13th century.

According to Chinese Astrology, the Chinese birth predictor chart was first used during the Qing Dynasty between 1644 - 1911 AD. 'It is based on two elements: the mother-to-be's lunar conception month and Chinese lunar age when the baby is conceived.' The Chinese birth chart is actually much simpler to use than it sounds. You just have to know how old you were when you conceived and what month your baby was conceived in.

See the Chinese birth chart and work out if you will have a boy or girl

Predict your baby's gender using over 30 different old wives tales

For fun baby gender predictor tests that are less to do with facts and more to do with feelings, look no further than our list of popular pregnancy superstitions that many believe will reveal if you are going to have a boy or girl.

Ranging from well-known indicators such as how high your bump sits to less popular suspicions such as how you hold a cup of tea (yes, really) we've picked out 36 of the best old wives' tales about pregnancy here. It's up to you to decide how accurate they are, but at least you and your friends and family might have a good laugh in the process! Plus, they make quite fun baby shower games too, if everyone is making a guess about the baby's gender before the birth.

Ramzi Theory

Also known as Ramzi’s method, this baby gender predictor claims to be able to determine if your baby is a boy or girl by as early as six weeks. For this method of baby gender prediction you use a 2D ultrasound picture to see which side the placenta is on. Depending on whether the placenta is on the left or the right will suggest what sex your baby is.

Learn more and see how to try the Ramzi Theory

Skull Theory

Similar to the Ramzi theory, the Skull Theory for baby gender prediction requires a closer look at one of your scan photos to try and determine if you are having a boy or girl.

For this baby gender predictor test you will need your 12-week scan photo. The idea behind the theory is that there are cranial differences between men and women. It is though that you can start to see these in the womb, as early as 3 months into a pregnancy.

Netmums report that 92% of mums found the Skull Theory accurate at predicting the sex of their baby. See how to try it for yourself and learn more about the Skull Theory here.

Using your linea nigra as a baby gender predictor

Linea nigra is Latin for 'black line' and is a line that may appear on your stomach during pregnancy. It is very common for women to develop this vertical line when they're expecting and, as the NHS advises, it's nothing to worry about: 'This is normal skin pigmentation and nothing to worry about. It will probably vanish a few months after your baby's born.'

Some people think that if you develop a linea nigra, it can help you predict your baby's gender. Apparently, if it extends from your navel downwards towards your pubic bone then you’re more likely to have a girl. However, if your linea nigra is heading ‘north’ – from your navel up towards your head – then you are more likely to have a boy.

Take our boy or girl quiz

If you're looking for a fun baby gender predictor test that doesn't involve analysing ultrasound scans or knowing exactly when you conceived, then take our Am I Having A Boy or Girl Quiz.

It's a simple and lighthearted quiz where your answers will help determine if you might be more likely to have a boy or a girl. Even if you're keeping your baby's gender a secret until the birth, it might be fun to aid your guesses and you never know, it might help with choosing baby names!

You might also like:

Gender selection: how to conceive a boy or a girl
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Video of the Week:

Chinese birth chart: Will I have a boy or a girl?

stephanie.lowe@futurenet.com (Stephanie Lowe) — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 15:22:10 +0000

A Chinese birth chart uses your age at conception and the month you conceived to predict the sex of your baby.

While predicting your baby's sex before your 20-week anomaly scan isn't usually possible, this ancient Chinese birth predictor claims to be surprisingly accurate. Using astrology and the lunar calendar, this method predicts if you will have a boy or a girl. So, all you need at hand is your age at conception and the month of conception.

"It was right for me," mum-of-one, Kiran tells us. "I was 35 when I fell pregnant and we conceived in March time. And we had a boy!"

Similar to other methods, such as the famous Nub Theory, Ramzi theory, and some old wives' tales about pregnancy, the Chinese birth chart can be used to predict your baby's sex. While there's no scientific evidence that any of these theories work, they can be fun to try while you wait to find out for sure!

Dr. Jessica Chen, a professor of cultural anthropology and expert in Chinese traditions, tells us more about Chinese birth charts. "Chinese birth charts, also known as Chinese gender prediction calendars, hold significant cultural value in Chinese society," says Dr. Jessica. "They have been passed down through generations and are considered a part of the rich cultural heritage. While these charts may lack scientific evidence, they continue to be used by some families for fun and anticipation during pregnancy."

Chinese birth chart: Will I have a boy or a girl?

Age conceived and month conceived
Age conceived	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
18	F	M	F	M	M	M	M	M	M	M	M	M
19	M	F	M	F	F	M	M	F	M	M	F	F
20	F	M	F	M	M	M	M	M	M	F	M	M
21	M	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	F	F
22	F	M	M	F	M	F	F	M	F	F	F	F
23	M	M	M	F	M	M	F	F	F	M	M	F
24	M	F	F	M	M	F	M	F	M	M	F	M
25	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	M	M
26	M	M	M	M	M	F	M	F	F	M	F	F
27	F	F	M	M	F	M	F	F	M	F	M	M
28	M	M	M	F	F	M	F	M	F	F	M	F
29	F	M	F	F	M	F	F	M	F	M	F	F
30	M	M	F	M	F	M	M	M	M	M	M	M
31	M	M	M	M	F	F	M	F	M	F	F	F
32	M	F	F	M	F	M	M	F	M	M	F	M
33	F	M	M	F	F	M	F	M	F	M	M	F
34	M	M	F	F	M	F	M	M	F	M	F	F
35	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	M	F	M
36	M	F	M	M	M	F	M	M	F	F	F	F
37	F	F	M	F	F	F	M	F	F	M	M	M
38	M	M	F	F	M	F	F	M	F	F	M	F
39	F	F	M	F	F	F	M	F	M	M	F	M
40	M	M	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	F	M
41	F	F	M	F	M	M	F	F	M	F	M	F
42	M	F	F	M	M	M	M	M	F	M	F	M
43	F	M	F	F	M	M	M	F	F	F	M	M
44	M	F	F	F	M	F	M	M	F	M	F	M
45	F	M	F	M	F	F	M	F	M	F	M	F

How do I work out if it's a boy or girl with the Chinese birth chart?

Working out if you will have a boy or a girl using astrology and the Chinese birth chart is simpler than it sounds.

Just look at the Chinese birth chart above and find the number for how old you were when you conceived on the left. Then, look along the top row for the month your baby was conceived. The square where the two meet will show if you're having a boy or a girl according to the Chinese birth chart.

Unlike the Nub, Ramzi Theory or Skull Theory used to predict a baby's sex, you don't need to have a ultrasound scan photo in order to try this gender prediction test. Instead, the Chinese birth chart takes into account your age and month of conception.

What is a Chinese birth chart?

An ancient Chinese birth horoscope, also known as an astrology baby gender prediction chart or Chinese birth sign calculator, considers your age and the month you conceived to predict your baby's gender using principles of astrology and the lunar calendar. The goal is to work out whether you will have a boy or a girl.

This ancient tradition goes back over 700 years when the Chinese birth chart - sometimes known as the Chinese gender predictor - was uncovered in the tomb of a monk in Beijing. When archaeologists examined the chart, they found that it was based on the Chinese Lunar Calendar and used as a method of astrology baby gender prediction.

Over the centuries, expectant parents have used this Chinese birth horoscope and Chinese birth sign calculator for fun as they await their gender reveal scan. While not scientifically proven, some find the astrology principles surprisingly accurate for guessing their baby's sex before the 20-week ultrasound.

How accurate is a Chinese birth chart?

While some experts claim the Chinese birth predictor lunar age method can be up to 93% accurate, there's no scientific evidence this is the case.

However, anecdotally, many pregnant people say the Chinese gender predictor pregnancy calendar was the most accurate (non-medical) way of revealing their baby's sex baby before their anomaly scan. And, as it's based on your age and the month you conceived, you can consult the Pregnancy Chinese gender calendar chart at any point during your pregnancy. While we can’t claim any official scientific research behind the Chinese birth chart, it seems to work for lots of satisfied parents.

For example, let's do the maths in reverse for Kate Middleton. The Princess of Wales was 31 years old when Prince George was born. Prince George was born in July, and July babies are usually conceived in October. In October, Kate would have been 30, as her birthday is in January. So, on the Pregnancy Chinese gender calendar chart, go to 30 for her Chinese birth predictor lunar age and over to October for the month conceived - it predicts Male.

While fun to try, it's best to take any gender prediction with a pinch of salt. But the Chinese gender predictor chart can provide excitement until your ultrasound scan or even wait to find out the sex of your baby at birth!

Trying to find out the sex of your baby can be a bit of fun, although many say to never rely on it. There's the nub theory, Ramzi's theory, or you can try one of these old wives' tales. Once you've had fun figuring out boy or girl, don't miss out on the best gifts for new mums or best gifts for new dads - trust us, the leak-proof, open-with-one-hand water bottle is a game changer.

When can I get a 3d baby scan - and are they safe?

tannoamice@gmail.com (Tannice Hemming) — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:58:27 +0000

If you can't wait to see your unborn baby's face, you may be wondering 'when can I get a 3d scan of my baby?'

Pregnancy ultrasounds offered by the NHS are perfect for reassuring expectant parents that their baby is healthy and developing properly. But, 3d scans offered by private screen companies enable you to “see” your baby’s face and body as if it were a 3D shape. 4D scans are 3D scans that move in real-time, 3D scans are just still images. Essentially, they're the same as 2d hospital scans but the results from the probe are interpreted differently by the camera.

When can I get a 3D scan of my baby?

Many private scanning services offer 3D and 4D scans from 16 weeks, sometimes, it is offered as part of a service to identify the baby’s sex. However, it’s often recommended to wait until 27 weeks of pregnancy as your baby won’t start to develop any fat under their skin until around that period of pregnancy. Once your baby’s gestational age goes beyond 32 weeks, it may be harder to get a good look at their face due to their size.

What does a 3D/4D baby scan show?

You will see a 3D image of your baby’s face and their body. Not all scans go to plan, however, and sometimes it can be difficult to get a really good look at their face, which is what most parents and families want to see. Sometimes your baby will have their face obscured by their arm or the placenta.

Specialist midwife sonographer Amanda Bastianelli, told us, "The Ultrasound reflects waves from the surfaces so you see the structures of the face. The 3D probe reflects shapes like a 3D printer would, then sends it to the computer and creates the image you see. 4D scans have a faster frame rate and you get to see them 3D and moving."

3D and 4D baby scans are sometimes done within NHS care to take a closer look at any differences in development (abnormalities). They might be used to identify and understand the extent of birth differences like cleft lip (a difference in the formation of the exterior lip/s and soft palate of the interior of your baby’s mouth)

How much do 3D/4D baby scans cost?

The price of your scan will depend on what the scan is looking for and where it is performed. There is often a price difference across the country, so don’t be afraid to shop around, but can range between £60 and £150.

The options are really dependent on the service and what is included within the scan. Some private scanning practices will offer a range of extras like pictures, videos and cuddly toys that come with a recording of your baby’s heartbeat.

Amanda Bastianelli, Registered Midwife and Sonographer at Expectancy Scanning UK, says “Be mindful of places that offer scans for solely souvenir purposes. They might offer a cheaper scan - but all scans should be done for an essential purpose. Scans should check on your baby’s growth and wellbeing first and foremost. Once they have been checked, then you can get those souvenir images. You will pay more for a scan like that but the baby's health and wellbeing must come first, before those 3d or 4d bonding scans are done.”

Are there any risks of 3D/4D scans?

Though there are no specific risks of 3D or 4D scans over and above 2D scans, there have been concerns raised by medical professionals about private scanning studios.

These include worries about:

cases of raised anxiety, when scanners give differing information to NHS sonographers, leading to unnecessary appointments
Times where sonographers have missed issues that should be raised with medical professionals.
Adequate training for private sonography practices (there is no requirement for private scanning studios to have professional accreditation or training in obstetric ultrasounds)

When choosing a private clinic for a pregnancy ultrasound, make sure that you check to see what information they provide about the expertise of their sonographers. You can also check their reviews on places like TrustPilot.

Please see advice by the British Medical Ultrasound Society and the Care Quality Commission on how to make sure the clinic you choose is reputable.

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These 40 baby names are banned around the world and there's more than one UK royal on the list - is your name illegal in another country?

40 baby names banned around the world

New Zealand

Iceland

Sweden

France

Portugal

Mexico

More banned baby names

Baby names going extinct in 2024 include Michelle and Amanda - is your name on the list?

Baby names going extinct in 2024

The meanings you never knew behind 25 very common baby names revealed – is yours on the list?

25 common baby name meanings revealed

Space-inspired baby names are set to be popular in 2024 - but do you think they’re out of this world?