The name Caitlin, which peaked in popularity in 1988, is making a resurgence, potentially due to the influence of WNBA star Caitlin Clark. Other athletes, actors, and movie characters are also influencing baby name trends, according to BabyCenter. The popularity of the name Caitlin had been steadily declining since 2000 but has seen a significant increase in registrations this year, nearly doubling its numbers. Clark, the Indiana Fever point guard, has played a role in this increase, as the name Caitlin has risen 1,599 spots on the list in 2024. Additionally, the last name Clark for boys has seen a resurgence for the first time since 2015.
South Carolina’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament win also influenced baby name trends, as star player Kamilla Cardoso saw her first name rise 247 spots on the list this year. Names are also spiking in popularity due to pop culture influences, such as the name Zendaya, which has been increasing steadily since the release of “Dune: Part Two”. The actress’s name is currently at number 588 on the list. Additionally, the character she plays in the fantasy franchise, Chani, has also seen a significant increase in popularity, rising 3,300 spots.
The TV series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” has also inspired names, with the name Percy jumping 296 spots on the boys’ list and 700 spots on the girls’ list. The full name Perseus also rose 206 places for boys. Other TV shows like historical dramas are influencing baby name trends, with names like Peggy rising significantly. Characters from “Bridgerton” have also contributed to the increase in popularity for names such as Anthony, Eloise, Francesca, and Gregory.
The total solar eclipse in April also had an impact on baby names, with stellar names like Aurora and Sunny increasing in popularity. Eclipse-inspired names, such as Eclipse itself, which ranked for girls for the first time since 2021, have been on the rise. Overall, a variety of influences, including sports, pop culture, and TV shows, are contributing to the shifting trends in baby names, showcasing the diverse sources of inspiration that parents are drawing from in choosing names for their children.
