12 baby name trends for 2014
-

Nameberry.com, a website dedicated to baby names, predicts 12 trends in baby names for 2014. We share them with you, as well as some local kids who are ahead of the trend and lay claim to the names already. We also share celebrity parents who have chosen names like Lincoln and Penelope (both on the trendy list). And, finally, we give you our prediction for a name trend in New England. Can you guess what it is?
-
Newest old people names: baby boomer names

Nameberry says baby boomer names are out and great-grandparent names like Violet, Henry, Mabel, and Max are in, which puts this little Max from Peabody on the forefront of the baby name trend (and the little Bruins fan is dressed as a Stanley Cup for Halloween. Coolest baby ever?)
-
Celebrity trend most likely to catch on: Dowdy royal names

Royal names will grow in the wake of Prince George’s birth in July. This means more babies named George, Albert, Margaret, Arthur, Maud, Helena, Louis, and Mary. Meet George from Braintree. His mom, Lynne, sent us this photo over the holidays. Cheer up, George! Not only do you have a trending name, but you won’t have to see Santa for another whole year!
-
Celebrity trend least likely to catch on: Joke names

When Kanye West and Kim Kardashian had daughter North West in June, the world was buzzing about the name choice (check out the little cutie here). Nameberry experts say they like the name North. “But North West? Uh, no,’’ they say.
-
Eccentric ancestor names

Family names and vintage revival names are the two most predominant trends for 2014 — names like Edna and Ethel and Percy and Gertrude. This is performer Dame Edna (whose real name is Barry Humphries). Or is it your great aunt Ethel?
-
Hottest middle names: Boys’ names for girls

Jessica Simpson proves she’s always on trend with her daughter’s middle name, Drew. Maxwell Drew will have more company in the male-middle-name-for-girls category this year. Yup, girls are sporting masculine middle names such as James, Charles, and Thomas. We wonder if the male-first-name-for-girls will be the trend of 2015?
-
Coolest Consonant: C

C names are hot, hot, hot. This is Clemente from Lowell. His mom Carmen (another C name!) sent us this photo over the holidays. Other hot C names this year? Nameberry lists Cassius, Cassia, Cassian, Caspian, Cyrus, Cora, Clarissa, Clementine, Cordelia, Clara, Charlotte, Claire, Clover, Cedar and Cadence. Wow! The choices are endless.
-
Most surprising baby name influencer: Pope Francis I

Pope Francis, Time magazine’s Person of the Year, will inspire parents around the world to name their bundles of joy Frances, Francisco, Francesca, Frank, Francine, and Francis in the new year.
-
Most admirable trend: Virtue names for boys

Actor Emile Hirsch, pictured here in “Twice Born’’ with actress Penelope Cruz and a baby, is a new dad. This is not his real baby. His real baby is named Valor, one of the virtue names rising in popularity for boys this year (check out the handsome little guy born Oct. 27). Other names include Noble, Justice, Loyal, and True.
-
Tastiest trend: Spice girl names

Parents-to-be will find inspiration from the spice rack this year, says Nameberry. We looked high and low for a local Cayenne, Juniper, or Rosemary in the photos you share with us every day. We didn’t find one. But we did find this adorable baby girl from Brookline dressed as saffron for Halloween. And that’s one of the hot names too. So we’re going with it.
-
Ethnicity ready to rise: Greek

You probably know that Tina Fey will host the Golden Globes with pal Amy Poehler again this year. But did you know that Fey and husband Jeff Richmond named their daughter Penelope? Yup. She’s funny and trendy. Here’s a photo of Fey with her kids Penelope and Alice. Other Greek names set to explode this year: Theodora, Evangeline, Olympia, Cyrus, Elias.
-
Name trend jumping the shark: Boys names ending in ‘N’

This adorable little boy named Zaydan from Newton may not have to share his name so much in the new year. That is, if Nameberry is correct and boy names ending in an “N’’ jump the shark. According to Nameberry, there will be less Zaydens, Aidans, Brysons and Kellans. However, classic names like Owen and Ethan will remain popular.
-
Slowest breaking trend: Historic hero names

Actors Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell had a baby girl, born in March, and named her Lincoln. Check out a photo of Bell with baby Lincoln. Historic hero names like Lincoln, Huckleberry, Dashiell, Scarlett, Atticus, Chaplin, Zane, and McKinley will gain in popularity.
-
Our choice: Brady!

Nameberry made no mention of the name Brady, so we will. We see a baby name trend happening in New England — Patriots fans are naming their sons and daughters after our beloved Patriots quarterback, Mr. Tom Brady. This tiny Brady is from Pembroke. Meet more little Bradys living in New England.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com