Latest posts
Names to watch for 2026 in Australia
Oct. 10, 2025
Every year a handful of names sit just outside the national top 100, gathering quiet steam in state lists and hospital notices. These almost-there choices often tip over the line the following season. Here are the baby names to watch for 2026 in Australia, why they are rising, and how to use the trend in a way that still feels personal.
How we picked the watch list
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Middle names that ground bold first names
Oct. 6, 2025
Choosing a bold first name can feel thrilling, but the middle name is where you lock in balance. A well chosen middle softens sharp edges, adds heritage or calm, and future-proofs the whole combination. This guide shows how to match strong firsts with grounded middles that read natural in Australia and age well from daycare to resume.
Why balance matters
A statement first name grabs attention. The …
State by state risers in 2025
Sept. 29, 2025
Every year the national top 100 tells a neat headline, but the real action starts in the states. A name often heats up locally months before it shows in the national list. This guide scans each state and territory for climbers and near break-ins in 2025, explains the style forces behind them, and offers smart swaps if you want the vibe without picking the same name as everyone at …
New names in Australia’s top 100 in 2025: the biggest risers
Sept. 29, 2025
Choosing a baby name is part vibe, part data. This year’s charts show a fresh wave of arrivals in the national top 100, plus a pack of fast climbers that look ready to break through next year. Below is a clear rundown of what jumped, why it happened, and how to use the trend without losing timeless appeal.
How we measured jumps and new entries
To spot …
Spring sport-star baby names in Australia: Gigi Betty, Otis Benjamin and the vibe they signal
Sept. 18, 2025
Two fresh footy arrivals just gave baby names a spring kick. NRL and NRLW couple Adam and Millie Elliott welcomed daughter Gigi Betty on 10 September, while AFLW defender Nicola Stevens and partner Elise Rose announced the birth of their son Otis Benjamin the same day. Cue a mini trendlet that blends nickname-as-official with vintage-chic middles.
What these choices tell us about Aussie taste right now
- …
Muhammad tops baby names in Israel for 5785
Sept. 14, 2025
As the Jewish New Year begins, Israel’s Ministry of Interior has released its annual list of the most popular baby names over the past 12 months of the Hebrew calendar year 5785.
Overall ranking
Across the whole population, the top boy’s name was Muhammad, while Avigail led among girls. Other favourites included:
- Yosef (Yusuf) and Miryam
- Adam and Libi
- David and Tamar
- Levi and Sarah …
Why Aussie Parents Are Choosing Nicknames as Official Baby Names
Sept. 9, 2025
Choosing a baby name has always been a balance between tradition and individuality. In 2025, Australia is seeing a fresh shift in that balance: parents are registering nicknames as full legal names. Instead of the formal Francesca, Leonard or Amelia, more birth certificates now read simply Frankie, Lenny and Millie.
A cultural change led by younger parents
According to recent research by McCrindle, this trend is being …
Baby name digest: vintage charm, tricky sounds and crime-inspired choices
Sept. 2, 2025
This week in the world of baby names has been full of surprises — from old-school classics making a comeback to unexpected influences from pop culture and true-crime. Here are the highlights:
Vintage names are shining again
Across the US and beyond, parents are turning back to elegant, time-tested names like Eleanor, Theodore, Hazel, Matilda, Beatrice, Henry and Louis. These names …
Baby Named “Chat Yipiti” in Colombia Sparks Debate on Modern Naming
Aug. 24, 2025
A story from Colombia has caught the world’s attention: a baby reportedly registered with the unusual name Chat Yipiti. The name is a playful adaptation of “ChatGPT”, reflecting how technology and artificial intelligence are seeping into everyday culture — even into the most personal decision of all, naming a child.
The announcement quickly stirred curiosity and debate. Could this really be the first child officially carrying a tech-inspired …
Does a Name Shape a Child’s Future?
Aug. 20, 2025
When choosing a name for their baby, many Aussie parents can’t help but wonder whether it will shape their child’s destiny. Is little Hugo meant for a life of success, while Ryder’s more likely to spend his days surfing?
These ideas are tempting, but they don’t hold much water when it comes to the real world. Research shows a name doesn’t truly decide a career path or how …
From Hogwarts to Hollywood: How Pop Culture Is Naming a New Generation
Aug. 14, 2025
Picture this — you are at the playground, coffee in hand, and you hear a mum call out, “Loki, come here!” A golden-haired toddler trots over. No cape, no helmet, but definitely named after the god of mischief. This is the naming world we are living in, and honestly, it is a bit magic.
Why pop culture has such a grip on baby names
Streaming has put …
Shifting Styles Down Under: Baby Name Trends in 1980s Australia
Aug. 4, 2025
Strap yourself in: the 1980s in Australia weren’t just about neon legwarmers and big hair, but also a fascinating swirl of baby-naming habits that mirrored our society’s quirks, dreams and little rebellions. You might think “Isn’t naming just… naming?” Nope. It’s culture, mate—pure and simple.
1. A Decade Defined by Familiar Faces
Early in the 80s, stroll into any Sydney maternity ward and every second bub would …
Name Watch – highlights from the past fortnight (14–28 July 2025)
July 28, 2025
Choosing, defending and even removing names kept making headlines right up to the end of July. Here is a quick round‑up for our readers in Oz.
1. ‘Kelce Taylor’ joins the Chiefs Kingdom
A Missouri couple welcomed their daughter on 25 July and honoured pop‑culture’s power pair by naming her Kelce Taylor – a playful nod to Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce. Liberty Hospital posed …
Double-Barrel Names: Why Aussies Are Loving Two-for-One Baby Names in 2025
July 9, 2025
What’s in a name? Scratch that, what’s in two? You might think double-barrel names are all tea-and-scones, proper British nannies and those posh types with family trees as long as the Murray. But these days? Nah, mate. The trend’s gone full Aussie — and it’s absolutely everywhere.
Ever spotted a Billie-June at daycare, or heard someone call out Alfie-Ray at the skate park? Not making this up. It’s …
Word Names Gone Wild: Why Aussie Babies Are Being Named Echo, Bunny and Blossom in 2025
July 8, 2025
Wednesday. Bunny. Echo. Alright, whose bright idea was it to turn the dictionary into a baby name book? But honestly - stop for a tick and look around. If you’ve met a Pixie at playgroup this year, you’re not hallucinating (unless you haven’t had your morning flat white, then maybe you are). Australia’s in the throes of a names free-for-all and, mate, it’s gloriously weird.
I’ll tell …
Aboriginal and Māori Names: The Rising Influence and Popularity in Australia and New Zealand.
July 7, 2025
In today’s multicultural Australia and New Zealand, baby name trends are evolving – and indigenous names from Aboriginal and Māori cultures are quietly, but confidently, gaining traction. These names carry a sense of place, heritage and connection to land that’s impossible to ignore.
What Makes Aboriginal and Māori Names Unique?
Aboriginal names come from the hundreds of diverse language groups across Australia, each with its own sounds, …
Tiffany, Bentley & Raven: The Rise of Glam Baby Names in Australia
July 5, 2025
Not every parent wants subtle. In 2025, some Aussie mums and dads are going all-in with names that sparkle, roar or belong on a movie poster.
From luxury brands to pop stars and high-gloss vibes – welcome to the era of glam baby names.
What’s Driving This Flashy Name Trend?
Call it confidence. Call it main-character energy. But more parents are choosing names that stand …
Comfort-core Baby Names Are Back: Why Vintage Is the New Cool
July 4, 2025
Ever thought Phyllis or Harold sounded a bit… dated? Well, not anymore. A wave of vintage baby names is sweeping through Australia - and it’s not just a trend, it’s a vibe.
From lace-trimmed nostalgia to a craving for warmth and tradition, more Aussie parents are turning to the past to name their future.
What Is “Comfort-core” Anyway?
Comfort-core isn’t just about old-fashioned names. It’s …
Nature Baby Names: How Australia’s Wild Beauty Is Shaping Naming Trends
July 3, 2025
Australia’s baby name scene is always evolving, but one trend that’s blooming like a wildflower right now? Nature-inspired names. Think eucalyptus leaves, red desert skies, ocean waves and native animals — Aussie parents are falling in love with names that feel grounded, earthy and uniquely local.
Why Are Nature Names So Popular?
There’s something timeless and peaceful about naming your child after the natural world. It feels …
Unique vs Classic: Navigating the Name Game
July 2, 2025
Ever met a baby named Jupiter? Or how about a little Margaret toddling around in a ruffled onesie? Names have always been more than just, well... names. They're time capsules. Statements. Sometimes, even tiny rebellions in four to eight letters.
And lately, there's a growing split in the baby name world: go bold and break the mould? Or play it safe with something timeless?
Let’s unpack it …
Australia’s Top Baby Name Trends for 2025: What McCrindle & BabyCentre Tell Us
July 2, 2025
Why Should You Care?
Ever wondered what names are having a moment Down Under? Picture this: you’re scrolling Insta, catching snippets of cute bubs tagged with names you’ve never heard before - yet somehow feel familiar. That’s no accident. McCrindle and BabyCentre have crunched the numbers, and honestly, the results are a rip-roaring glimpse into Aussie culture in 2025.
Meet the 2025 A-List
Hold tight: here’s …