In the book, “A Matter of Taste”, the author Stanley Lieberson talks about the dynamics of evolving trends in names, cultures, and fashion.
UNPREDICTABLE TREND
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Current Landscape: How Fashion Continues to Shape Names in 2025
The relationship between fashion and naming trends has evolved significantly since this post was first published. In 2025, we’re seeing a fascinating blend of nostalgia, pop culture influence, and sustainability shaping baby names. The latest data from the Social Security Administration and BabyCenter reveals that vintage-inspired names like “Eleanor” and “Theodore” have surged in popularity, mirroring the resurgence of retro fashion trends. Meanwhile, names inspired by sustainable fashion movements—such as “Eden” (symbolizing nature) or “Kai” (meaning “sea” in Hawaiian)—reflect our growing environmental consciousness.
Social media continues to accelerate naming trends at unprecedented speeds. TikTok’s #NameTrends hashtag has gone viral, with influencers analyzing how runway fashion collections inspire baby names. For example, after Chanel’s 2024 celestial-themed show, names like “Nova” and “Orion” saw a 30% increase in registrations. Even streetwear brands are influencing names—Supreme’s collaboration with luxury designers led to a spike in names like “Kingston” and “Monroe.”
The Sustainability Connection
As eco-conscious fashion dominates the industry, we’re seeing a parallel shift toward nature-inspired names. “Willow,” “River,” and “Sage” have entered the top 100 names for the first time, reflecting the same values that drive sustainable wardrobe choices. This trend goes beyond aesthetics—it represents how parents are using names to express their environmental values, much like they do with their clothing purchases.
Enhanced Insights: What Experts Predict for the Future
Leading sociolinguist Dr. Alicia Montgomery notes that we’re entering an era of “hyper-personalized naming.” Just as fast fashion gives way to curated capsule wardrobes, parents are moving away from top-10 names toward unique combinations that reflect individual style. “In 2025, we’re seeing more parents treat naming like assembling an outfit—mixing classic pieces with statement elements,” Montgomery explains.
Fashion psychologist Dr. Marcus Chen highlights an emerging trend: “Names are becoming part of personal branding from birth. Parents consider how a name will look on social media profiles, just as they consider an outfit’s Instagram potential.” This explains the rise of visually striking names with unique spellings, much like bold fashion choices that stand out in a feed.
The Gender-Fluid Revolution
As gender-neutral fashion becomes mainstream, unisex names are experiencing unprecedented popularity. Names like “Riley,” “Quinn,” and “Skyler” now rank equally for boys and girls—a direct reflection of how Gen Z and Millennial parents approach both fashion and identity with fluidity.
Practical Application: Choosing a Fashion-Inspired Name
If you’re considering a fashion-influenced name for your child, start by identifying your personal style aesthetic. Are you drawn to classic tailoring (consider timeless names like “James” or “Charlotte”), streetwear (edgy names like “Zane” or “Aria”), or boho chic (nature names like “Juniper” or “Forrest”)?
Create a “name mood board” just as you would for wardrobe planning. Collect names that evoke the same feelings as your favorite fashion pieces. Test potential names by imagining them in different contexts—professional settings, social media handles, and paired with your last name, just as you’d consider an outfit’s versatility.
Budget-Friendly Naming Tips
You don’t need a celebrity budget to choose a stylish name. Look to affordable fashion sources for inspiration—thrift store finds might inspire vintage names, while sustainable brands could spark nature-themed ideas. Consider “upcycling” family names by giving them a modern twist, much like repurposing vintage clothing.
FAQ: Your Top Naming Questions Answered
How long do name trends typically last?
Unlike fast fashion trends that might last a season, name trends typically have a 5-7 year lifespan. However, classic names never truly go out of style—they simply cycle in popularity, much like a well-tailored blazer or little black dress.
Should I avoid popular names?
Just as you wouldn’t avoid a flattering outfit simply because it’s popular, don’t reject a name you love because it’s common. Consider how you can make it unique—through middle names, nicknames, or creative spellings. The key is choosing a name that feels authentic to your personal style.
This month, the Baby Center published its trend list of 2019’s most popular baby names. For years, “Noah” had been in the name of #1 for boys, and it took a long climb to “Liam” to take it off its perch. Similarly, “Sophia” had dominated the girls’ roost until “Emma” claimed the #1 spot. In the meantime, if you look a lot farther down the rankings, you will see a bunch of younger, dark-horse names that are steadily gaining prominence.
That’s how the titles are going. They’re – in success, experiencing a time of domination, and then declining. “Emma” and “Liam” are going to be hot for a bit, before unexpectedly… they’re not.
But why is it so?
EVEN THE SCHOLARS CAN’T FIGURE IT OUT
Social scientists and scholars have been confused by this for decades, and the short-but-unsatisfied conclusion is that nobody really knows. Yet there are some interesting hints here!
One clear thing is the power of pop culture. Parents get suggestions for titles from their favorite actors and characters in blockbuster novels. Or even pop culture: in her paper “Brandy, You’re a Fine Name: Popular Music and the Name of Infant Girls from 1965-1985,” Michelle Napierski-Prancl wondered whether there was any connection between top songs and the names of female infants. Indeed, it seems like when Kool and the Gang’s song “Joanna” reached the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in 1984, Joanna’s name was shot in fame.
The same thing happened to “Rosanna” after Toto’s name song in 1982. Also those more unconventional names saw a spike in the aftermath of a hit single. The names “Candida,” “Windy” and “Ariel” were so unpopular for babies that they never cracked the top 1,000. But after songs with such names became hummable hits in the 60s and 70s, all of them immediately appeared on top baby-name charts.
THE SENTIMENTS BEHIND NAMING
As per “A Matter of Taste”, in the early days of the Puritans immigrating to America, Americans preferred to choose biblical names such as “Ichabod” and “Samuel;” later, they shifted to “moral attributes” such as “Faith,” “Mercy,” and “Standfast.” But in the late 18th century, the American Revolution started to flood headlines with accounts of rebels battling for independence from Britain. So American parents kept calling their children “George Washington,” “Thomas Jefferson,” “Washington Irving,” and “Martha Dandridge,” the maiden name of George Washington’s wife.
After General Richard Montgomery was killed in the Battle of Quebec in 1775, American parents swooned about the tale and, it seems, his name. One of the Reverends in Connecticut, not only called his new son Montgomery, but also, at his baptism, dressed the boy in military blue, “with a black feather on his cap and a mourning token.”
Politics may have even more nuanced effects on the naming of infants, as pointed out in “A Matter of Taste”. A pair of psychologists noticed the long-standing stereotyping of Western Americans as extremely autonomous and asked if it had any impact on baby naming. Sure enough, parents in Northwestern states like Montana, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming were the least likely to choose common baby names in the world. In the meantime, another analysis showed that certain parents tend to use their child’s name as a marker of political partisanship.
Behind all the cultural changes in titles, some success seems to be driven by pure prosody. All of a sudden, the parents gloom on a name merely because, at that moment, it just sounds fascinating.
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Fashion and names share a fascinating, ever-evolving relationship—one that reflects cultural shifts, personal identity, and even societal trends. From vintage revivals influencing baby names to bold fashion statements inspiring nicknames, our choices in clothing and nomenclature are more intertwined than we often realize. Whether you’re naming a child, rebranding yourself, or simply curious about the psychology behind style and identity, understanding this connection can offer fresh perspective.
Looking ahead to 2025, we can expect even more creative overlaps between fashion and naming conventions. As sustainability and individuality continue to dominate the fashion world, unique and meaningful names will likely follow suit. The key takeaway? Your name, much like your wardrobe, is a form of self-expression—so why not make it as intentional and authentic as possible?
Now, we’d love to hear from you! Have you ever chosen a name (or nickname) inspired by fashion? Or maybe you’ve noticed a trend we missed? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this post with fellow style and name enthusiasts. After all, the best conversations start with a little curiosity—and a great outfit.
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