Table of Contents
Name-inspired news and notes for your Sunday reading.
Looking for even more deep dives on all the names and name talk you love? Join us on the AM Baby Names Patreon. Join for free to keep up with featured names. Upgrade and unlock even more great content!
Happy Mother’s Day to all those celebrating.
And if today is hard for you, please know that I’m holding you in my thoughts.
This Friday, of course, was Data Day or Name Christmas. It was delayed. By a couple of hours, but not, as I had feared, by weeks or months or even permanently canceled.
One thing that leapt out at me? The name Truce entered the US Top 1000 for boys. Reader Elizabeth G called it “poetic” and … yes. That. I’m captivated, and I’m curious to know more about the choice.
Name News Round-Up
Instead of looking for fun reads, I’m going to shamelessly share my thoughts on the May 2025 data release so far. (I try not to read other coverage until I’ve collected my thoughts … and because the numbers came out late, I’m still playing catch up. I think we all are!)
The Trends Driving 2025 Naming. Some of these are big picture, long-term changes, but a few are very specific to our moment.
All the New Boy Names Entering or Returning to the US Top 1000. As I’ve said, my gold star for Most Intriguing Debut absolutely goes to Truce.
All the New Girl Names Entering or Returning to the US Top 1000. Another great list, and I’m fascinated by a bunch of these, but probably Icelynn, most of all. For years, I knew it as a Jamaican heritage pick, for reasons that were unclear. I’m not sure that explains the name’s debut in the data, but I have more digging to do …
The New Top 100 Boy Names: Coolest, Traditional, and More. Breaking down the new Top 100, including a look at the three names that entered the Top 100, as well as the three names they pushed out.
We’ll Talk About Leo … Soon
Even if you’re not Catholic, I suspect you know that the Catholic Church has elected a new leader, his roots are in Chicago, and he’s adopted the name Leo! Pope Leo XIV, to be exact.
The name Leo dipped in the data for calendar year 2024. Could it come roaring back? Maybe. If it does, there are so many amazing Leo names that could rise along with it.
That’s all for right now – back to looking at the data!
As always, thank you for reading – and have a great week!
