Hottest baby name trends of 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, and several high-profile celebrity deaths made 2020 an emotionally challenging year for many. Throughout these difficult times, more than 550,000 Momcozy parents welcomed new babies into their families, bringing joy and revealing interesting naming trends. Many parents chose names that honored loved ones lost during the pandemic, while others paid tribute to historical figures who fought for racial justice like King, Malcolm, and Rosa. Gender-neutral names continued their steady rise in popularity, with Riley showing remarkable growth—jumping 10 percent on the boys' list while simultaneously becoming one of the fastest-rising names for girls. Other unisex names like Avery, Morgan, and Quinn also saw significant increases across both gender categories, reflecting evolving attitudes toward traditional naming conventions.

2020 was an unprecedented year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, social justice movements, political tensions, natural disasters, and widespread economic challenges. Despite these difficult circumstances, families continued to grow and welcome new babies into the world. Parents adapted to the new normal by hosting virtual gender reveals and online baby showers, while putting extra thought into selecting names that carried special significance. Many chose names that reflected their values, hopes for a better future, and desire for resilience in challenging times. Names like Luna, Mateo, and Nova rose in popularity, symbolizing light and new beginnings during dark times. Nature-inspired names such as Willow, River, and Sage also gained traction as families reconnected with the outdoors during lockdowns. Strong, virtue-based names like Justice, Honor, and Legacy reflected parents' aspirations for meaningful change in society, making 2020's baby naming trends as unique and memorable as the year itself.

Here are the top baby name trends of the year, according to the names of more than 550,000 babies born in 2020 to parents registered on Momcozy. We combined spellings of similar names to find their true popularity. From nature-inspired names like River, Willow, and Sky to vintage comebacks such as Theodore, Eleanor, and Atticus, 2020 saw distinct naming patterns emerge. Pandemic-related names showed surprising growth, with Corona dropping but Cora remaining strong. Gender-neutral names continued their upward trend, with Riley, Avery, and Quinn appearing on both boys' and girls' lists. Names honoring cultural heroes and social justice figures like Kobe, Ruth, and Gianna saw significant increases, reflecting the year's momentous events. Literary and pop culture influences remained evident, with names from popular streaming shows experiencing notable jumps in popularity.

Honoring lost loved ones with a baby name

Memorial naming grows as families preserve legacies

The tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others in a January 2020 helicopter crash sparked a profound naming trend that continued throughout the year. New parents honored the basketball icon by choosing Kobe, which surged 175% in popularity, while the surname Bryant rose 29%. Memorial naming extended to Gianna, whose name climbed 216% on girls' name lists, and her nickname Gigi jumped an impressive 359 spots. Even Vanessa, Kobe's widow, saw her name rise 24% as families embraced this meaningful way to commemorate heroes and loved ones. This trend reflects a growing desire among parents to preserve family legacies, honor public figures who made an impact, and create lasting tributes through the powerful tradition of naming their children after those who left too soon.

A touching trend that gained significant momentum in 2020 is naming babies after beloved family members or friends who have passed away. Celebrities helped spotlight this meaningful practice throughout the year. Former NBA star Pau Gasol, who was a close friend of Kobe Bryant, named his daughter Elisabet Gianna after Gianna Bryant who tragically died alongside her father. Actor Joaquin Phoenix and his partner chose to honor his late brother by naming their son River, while news anchor Anderson Cooper named his son Wyatt after his father who passed away when Cooper was just a child. This trend extends beyond famous families as more parents are finding comfort in preserving family legacies through their children's names, creating a living memorial that carries special meaning for generations to come. Name experts note that these memorial names often come with powerful stories that children grow to cherish as part of their identity.

In 2020, we've witnessed a touching trend where parents choose baby names that honor notable figures who have passed away. This memorial naming tradition is expected to continue into 2021, with increased popularity for names like Naya (after actress Naya Rivera), Ruth (honoring Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg), Chadwick (remembering actor Chadwick Boseman), Eddie (tribute to musician Eddie Van Halen), Nick (honoring Broadway actor Nick Cordero), and Kelly (in memory of actress Kelly Preston). These meaningful name choices allow families to preserve legacies and connect their children to inspiring figures who made significant cultural impacts before their passing.

Celebrating political women with baby names

Female trailblazers inspire new generation of parents

The 2020 presidential race and election saw historic divisions in American society, yet it also sparked creative inspiration for new parents. Political figures have traditionally influenced baby naming trends, and this year women emerged as the clear favorites. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris made history as the first female VP, driving her name up an impressive 104% in popularity. First Lady Jill Biden also saw her name gain traction with a 66% increase. Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez continued to inspire parents, with her name rising 7%. The patriotic name Liberty (up 10%) gained popularity as well, potentially influenced by John McCain's granddaughter. For boys' names, former president Reagan saw a 26% increase, while current and incoming presidents' names - Donald and Joseph (and Joe) - both declined in usage, reflecting the polarized political climate. This trend suggests parents are increasingly drawn to strong female political role models when naming their children in 2020.

Racial justice movement inspires baby naming

Names reflecting cultural heritage and activism rise in popularity

The tragic deaths of African Americans including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd in early 2020 catalyzed nationwide protests and a renewed focus on racial justice. This social awakening significantly influenced baby naming trends, with the name Breonna seeing a remarkable 108% increase in popularity. Parents also increasingly chose names associated with civil rights icons and historical figures who fought for equality, including King (honoring Martin Luther King Jr.), Malcolm (after Malcolm X), Frederick (commemorating Frederick Douglass), Asa (for Asa Philip Randolph), and Rosa (celebrating Rosa Parks). Simultaneously, names that have become associated with privilege or racial insensitivity in popular culture have declined sharply. Names like Karen, Kevin, Chad, and Becky all experienced significant drops in popularity as parents became more conscious of the cultural connotations attached to certain names. This trend reflects how deeply social movements and cultural awareness have permeated personal family decisions in 2020.

Middle Eastern and Indian names breakthrough in the US

Global diversity expands American naming traditions

The American baby name landscape is undergoing a beautiful transformation as names with Arabic, Indian, and Hebrew origins gain significant popularity. For boys, names like Aziel saw an impressive 115% increase, while Avyaan rose by 38% and Agastya by 37%. Other rapidly climbing names include Ridhaan (up 35%), Zahir and Khari (both up 29%), Viraj (up 20%), Aarush (up 19%), Rashid (up 18%), and Aziz (up 17%). Girls' names are showing similar trends, with Mirha surging by 112%, followed by Avani (up 35%), Indie (up 33%), Dalia (up 30%), Ayat (up 27%), and Anvi (up 21%). This growing diversity in naming patterns reflects America's increasingly multicultural character, as families embrace traditions that honor heritage while creating unique identities for the newest generation.

New twist on the tradition of Bible names

Lesser-known biblical names find modern appeal

While traditional biblical names like Mary, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have been staples for generations, 2020 saw parents increasingly turning to more obscure biblical references for inspiration. The Old Testament in particular has become a treasure trove for distinctive baby names. For boys, names showing significant growth include Gideon (up 27%), Ismael (up 25%), Nehemiah (up 18%), Jedidiah (up 17%), and Emmanuel (up 16%). Other rising Old Testament names include Genesis (up 13%), Dante (up 8%), Saul (up 7%), Zion (up 5%), and Solomon (up 5%). For girls, the traditionally male name Ezra saw a remarkable 32% increase, while Galilea rose by 25%. This trend toward spiritual naming may reflect parents seeking meaning and tradition during uncertain times, while still desiring unique names that stand out in a classroom. These lesser-known biblical choices offer both historical significance and contemporary appeal, combining the comfort of tradition with the distinctiveness modern parents crave.

Location baby names hit closer to home

Neighborhood and local place names become personal choices

While destination-inspired names like Paris, London, and Sydney have been trending for years, 2020 brought a significant shift toward more familiar locations. With travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders dominating the year, new parents found themselves drawing inspiration from their immediate surroundings and meaningful local places. Girls' names showing remarkable growth include Berkley (up 34%), Arizona (up 16%), and Catalina, Aspen, and Phoenix (all up 12%). Other rising location-inspired names for girls include Carolina, Dallas, and Harlem. For boys, Baylor saw an impressive 49% increase, followed by Salvador (up 18%), Jose (up 15%), Princeton (up 12%), and Cruz (up 11%). Names like Lincoln and Dayton both rose 10%, while Memphis and Denver also gained popularity. Interestingly, Salem crossed gender lines, increasing 43% for girls and 19% for boys. This trend reflects parents' deepening connection to hometown pride and the comfort of familiar places during uncertain times.

Gender-neutral names are picking up steam

Unisex naming grows as parents embrace flexibility

The line between traditionally male and female names continues to blur in 2020, with gender-neutral options gaining significant popularity. Riley exemplifies this trend, climbing 10% for boys while simultaneously jumping six spots to #3 on the girls' list - notably standing as the only top 10 girls' name without the feminine 'ah' ending. Other traditionally female names seeing increased usage for boys include Emery (up 39%), Alexis (up 26%), and Ariel (up 22%). Names like Briar, Morgan, Kendall, and Marley are also crossing gender boundaries, reflecting parents' growing desire for names that offer flexibility and freedom from traditional gender constraints. This shift suggests modern families are increasingly valuing versatility and individuality over conventional naming patterns, allowing children more room for self-expression.