**Trends in Baby Naming: Colleen Slagen Analyses Recent Data on Baby Names**
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Colleen Slagen, a professional baby name consultant and author of the book “Naming Bebe,” has been making waves in the world of names and naming trends since she transitioned from her nursing career in 2022. Recently, Slagen provided insights into the latest baby name statistics published by the United States Social Security Administration, shedding light on the evolving preferences of new parents.
The Social Security Administration’s most recent data, released in May 2025, details the most popular baby names for the year 2024, with an upcoming report expected to cover the names used in 2025. In her analysis, Slagen highlighted the top names for boys and girls, revealing that “Olivia” once again claimed the top spot in the female category. Following closely behind were familiar names such as Emma, Amelia, Charlotte, and Mia, among others. Meanwhile, for boys, Liam, Noah, and Oliver were the most favoured names in 2024.
Delving deeper into the trends, Slagen used two social media posts to explore the names that have gained popularity rapidly, as well as those that have seen a decline in usage. According to her observations, boy names like Teddy, Casper, Chris, and Benson surged in popularity, while names such as Duncan, Brendan, and Otis fell out of favour. In her analysis, Slagen noted the prevalence of surnames and traditional Western names among the fastest rising options.
The findings for baby girls also showed intriguing changes. Names like Honey, Romy, Gwen, and Elodie emerged as increasingly popular choices, while others, including Saoirse, Princess, and Lisa, saw a noticeable drop in registrations. Of particular interest to Slagen was the name “Artemis,” which she noted had entered the fastest falling category but wondered if it could experience a revival following the recent Artemis II mission to the moon.
In a conversation with PEOPLE, Slagen remarked on the unexpected nature of the names that are currently less popular. She mentioned the decline of names such as Foster and Porter, which she believes align with the current trend of using surnames as first names. Additionally, she remarked that while some more aggressive “word names” haven’t disappeared, others like Gage and Gunner have become less trendy.
Amidst the fluctuations, Slagen noted a trend towards “spelling fatigue,” a phenomenon where parents may be overwhelmed by variations of popular names. This could explain why names like Mikayla, Braelyn, and Charleigh have fallen out of favour. Interestingly, Slagen observed that names with similar phonetic sounds but different spellings, such as Indy and Veda compared to Vada and Indie, are displaying opposite trends of rising and declining popularity.
Moreover, Slagen’s exploration of the statistics revealed that the names slipping in popularity lack the classic feel associated with timeless names. She highlighted that a majority of the diminishing names tend to have a trendy vibe, which leads them to quickly fall in and out of favour.
Generational influences also play a significant role in naming trends. The fastest declining names for boys include Garrett and Trevor, which Slagen notes are often associated with millennials, and names like Carl which belong to the baby boomer generation. She observed a similar pattern among girls’ names, illustrating how names like Lisa, once ubiquitous, have now become less common as cultural preferences shift.
In a lighter tone, Slagen provided a humorous commentary on the evolution of names, joking about how Lisa, once a popular baby name, has transformed into the persona of a neighbourhood grandmother, bringing sweets to her grandchildren. She also reflected on how names like Stephanie and Kelly, once staples of childhood playgroups, are now connected with a different generation of mothers and grandmothers.
In summary, Colleen Slagen’s insights into the shifting landscape of baby names reveal a dynamic interplay of cultural trends, generational changes, and societal influences. As new parents continue to navigate the landscape of naming their children, the popularity of certain names will surely keep evolving, guided by the currents of popular culture and personal preferences.