Naming a child is a significant decision for parents, as they want to choose a name that feels just right. Baby names, much like fashion, experience shifts in popularity over time. Names that were once unique can become commonplace, while trendy names may lose their appeal.
If you’re in the process of naming your child and looking for some guidance, it might be helpful to consider a list of names that experts suggest avoiding.
Chris Smith, an expert at Formuland, specializes in analyzing patterns and forecasting trends in baby naming.
“When a name becomes too trendy, it loses the very quality that attracted parents in the first place,” Chris explained. “What starts as a unique choice quickly becomes ubiquitous. In five years, these names won’t feel special anymore, they’ll just feel very 2026.”
What are some of the names you might want to bypass?
Names ending in -aden experienced a surge in the 2000s and 2010s, but their popularity has waned.
“These names were everywhere in the 2000s and 2010s,” Chris noted. “While they’re still being used, they’re starting to feel quite dated. The name could feel very tied to a specific era as they grow older.”
Magnus, meaning ‘great’ in Latin, carries a sense of grandeur, but Chris cautions against its potential datedness.
“Magnus is a powerful name, but it might feel like a 2026 time capsule in 20 years,” Chris said. “It’s also quite formal and could be difficult to shorten into a casual nickname, which many children prefer as they get older.”
There are names from fictional series that have been altered in spelling, which Chris does not recommend.
“Your child will spend years saying ‘Azlan with a Z’ every time they introduce themselves,” Chris remarked. “It might seem like a small burden now, but it adds up over a lifetime of form-filling, coffee orders, and email introductions.”
Nature-inspired names are lovely, but Chris mentions they are becoming increasingly popular. For those seeking something unique, a different choice might be better.
“If you’re choosing it for its individuality, you might be disappointed when your son shares the name with multiple classmates,” Chris said.
Chris highlights that names like Bronson can evoke a rugged, masculine image, which might place unnecessary expectations on children.
“Ultra-masculine names like Bronson can box children into certain expectations and may not age well across different life stages,” Chris pointed out.
Literary characters can provide great inspiration, but it’s important to consider their storyline, as with Ophelia.
“The literary association isn’t exactly positive,” said Chris. “It’s worth considering whether you want your daughter’s name tied to a character known for her tragic fate.”
The name Khaleesi, from *Game of Thrones*, serves as a reminder about choosing character names, considering the series’ controversial ending.
“What seems cool today might make your child cringe tomorrow,” Chris advised.
Choosing a distinctive name comes with risks, as others might also be drawn to it.
“Elodie is pretty, but it’s exploding in popularity right now. By 2026, it could be the new Emma or Olivia. They’re lovely names, but so common they’ve lost their special quality,” Chris noted.
Azura, while beautiful, may seem more suited to a stage than a formal setting, which could be problematic.
“Think about how it will look on a CV or in a boardroom,” Chris said. “Some children grow to resent names that feel too whimsical or performance-oriented.”
Lastly, Deia, though visually appealing, might lead to frequent mispronunciations.
“These names are gorgeous on paper, but people will constantly mispronounce them. Your daughter might spend her whole life correcting people, which can be frustrating,” Chris concluded.