After a trying few years, it feels like the world's hoping for a more positive turn as we embrace the New Year. Whether you're found a renewed sense of purpose or a new goal in life, 2023 could be your year to shake things up, and you won't be the only person hoping so.
This fresh wave of enthusiasm and optimism could carry over into baby name trends, according to the experts at Nameberry.
In their 2023 trends forecast, the pros found this year could bring a seismic shift as " parents react to, and rebel against, what has felt like a particularly intense and unsettling period in history."
As such, we should prepare for a year of maximalist names, as the experts reckon lots of parents will be thinking 'more is more' in the coming months.
From Bridgerton to Wednesday, maximalism has been everywhere on our screens lately, so it should be no surprise the experts credit TV as one driving force behind the change.
When it comes to picking out larger-than-life names though, we can expect to see influences sourced from a number of different art forms. Think baby names drawn from literature, fantasy, and anime, as well as picks from history, myth and legend.
Examples include Andromeda, Cleopatra, Draco, Lazarus, and Mazikeen to share a few. Nameberry's list of suggestions also includes Morpheus, Oberon, Persephone, Valerian, Wolfgang, and Zebedee.
Other popular trends may include 'names so out they're in', which the experts used to refer to the revival of 80s-inspired names, and 'gilded names', like Goldie and Halo.
Parents may also be interested in what Nameberry calls 'neo-cowboy names', like Brando and Tex, or cross-cultural names - those which can be recognised in multiple languages.
Be sure to look out for names with the X factor too, as monikers like Ajax, Bellatrix, Fox, and Onyx could all grow in popularity. Elsewhere, colours or other descriptors are expected to prove popular. Think Brave, Bright, Emerald or Sapphire. Finishing off the list, the experts also expect 'mix and match names' or 'grandpa names for girls' to trend.
Explaining the rationale behind the predictions, Nameberry founder Pam Redmond explained: "There's a pop, upbeat, bright, 1920s/1960s vibe around. It's the feeling of a new world, where we're dancing as fast as we can and there's a complete reinvention of mood and style. As in the 1920s and 60s, there's a wish to leave everything from the 'before' times behind."
Do you have a story to share? We pay for stories. Email us at yourmirror@mirror.co.uk
