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Help[Opinions] How will names change as Gen Z approaches the age to have kids?
There was an article saying how naming is changing with Gen Z.
Some things mentioned are people changing their own names more, more gender neutrality, less soft/vowel-filled names, anime/ video game names, and more nature names.
How do you think naming will change with the rise of Gen Z (born 1997 and on)?
Some things mentioned are people changing their own names more, more gender neutrality, less soft/vowel-filled names, anime/ video game names, and more nature names.
How do you think naming will change with the rise of Gen Z (born 1997 and on)?
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While Millennials are famous (infamous?) for delaying having children, Gen Z will probably be famous for having fewer children period. The few children that Gen Z will have may tend to have more unusual names, so I foresee the overall usage of the most popular names continuing to drop.
Already millennials are using increasing numbers of nature based names like Magnolia, Sage, and Aspen as well as space age sounding names like Nova and Luna. I expect these trends to continue with names like River. Fantasy and myth inspired names like Phoenix and Artemis seem to be climbing a lot, so I foresee older Gen-Z carrying this on.
Older GenZers seem to have a lot more in common with young millennials than they do with younger Zoomers.
Already millennials are using increasing numbers of nature based names like Magnolia, Sage, and Aspen as well as space age sounding names like Nova and Luna. I expect these trends to continue with names like River. Fantasy and myth inspired names like Phoenix and Artemis seem to be climbing a lot, so I foresee older Gen-Z carrying this on.
Older GenZers seem to have a lot more in common with young millennials than they do with younger Zoomers.
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I think classically old and dowdy grandparent names are increasing. Charles, Jack, etc.
I think there will be more boy names on girls. I just talked to a woman who named her daughter Jasper. The kid is about 6 so I assume her mother was probably born about 1997.
I recently spoke to a man who said his son was named Anakin, like from Star Wars. The kid was newborn so again, I figure the parents are probably Gen Z.
Lastly, I think more surnames or abstract names for boys. Ryder, Ryker, etc.
I think there will be more boy names on girls. I just talked to a woman who named her daughter Jasper. The kid is about 6 so I assume her mother was probably born about 1997.
I recently spoke to a man who said his son was named Anakin, like from Star Wars. The kid was newborn so again, I figure the parents are probably Gen Z.
Lastly, I think more surnames or abstract names for boys. Ryder, Ryker, etc.
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As a member of Gen Z, I'd say more gender-neutral names are coming to the forefront. We're also changing our names a lot more as we get to adulthood. Almost everyone I know have conjured up extra nicknames for themselves or changed their names altogether. My best friend Ollie, (whose real name is Olivia,) changed their name when we were in the 6th grade, and has kept it throughout high school. My friend Carlisle, who used to be Maria. My friend Micah, who used to me Mike. My friend Leah, who used to be Donna. so on and so forth. Even I changed my name from Aurora to Scout! More and more folks are coming out as trans as well, meaning that they have to chose their own names to fit themselves. If you name yourself, (or your kid) a gender-neutral name it eliminates the need to change it later on.
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Aw Thanks! I'll be sure to tell them that, Your friends have cool names too!
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Plant names also! I adore plant names, and my friends do too! Fern, Clover, Juniper, Marigold, Acker ect. I feel like they're on a comeback
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Definitely more pop culture names (admittedly many of the names I like I first heard as a character's name) and more unisex names. Other than that, I have no idea.
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Husband and I are both part of a short lived generation known as Xennial (pr Zenial) roughly 1979/80-1984/85.
I think a lot of traditional names will make a come back and the growing trend of nicknames as full names eg. Tori and Alex instead of Victoria and Alexandra will also continue.
I also think a lot more gender neutral names will become popular and pop culture will continue to have a massive impact on names
I think a lot of traditional names will make a come back and the growing trend of nicknames as full names eg. Tori and Alex instead of Victoria and Alexandra will also continue.
I also think a lot more gender neutral names will become popular and pop culture will continue to have a massive impact on names
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Yeah, my first thought was more nature names, more anime influence, more one syllable names.
Then I read the article, and I thought it was interesting/true what it said about identities (and thus names) getting more organic and flexible. Sure, it's partly because of screen names and gender norms, but also I think by the time gen Zers are done having kids, there'll have been lots of migrating around because of changes in economy, conflict, climate; I think names used to be more flexible like that, though, before the boomer generation, so it seems like a different type of antique trend rather than revolutionary to me.
I think (or hope) that if there's more gender neutrality, it's because the names themselves are less rigidly gendered (as the article implied: one female name, one masculine name, which is also an old fashioned idea in some places), rather than surnames-as-first-names becoming even more fashionable...it seems like surnames for girls would become less popular if anything because they're the epitome of the "girl boss" trend, right? What could also happen though is that people will care less about a name's gender on paper, so that gender of names would stay relatively the same - like an Edward could be called Edda if they want, or go by Edward + she/her, who cares? Probably it will be a combination.
I hadn't thought about the "less soft" name thing, but I can see punchy/compact names being more a thing. The article implied millennial choices would be the more adventurous names (like Trinity Sage Flannagan vs a gen Zer picking Emily) but I doubt that's true. I'm sure there will be conservative name choices, but the range is going to get wider I think, more like it was in the 1800s maybe with no one blinking at names in the style of Pink and Ulysses but also with lots of people named John (and misspellings were common back then too!).
Though I will only believe the thing about special characters being allowed in official names when I see it. Maybe Gen Z will make that happen eventually but not in time to name their own kids imo, except it won't matter because as the article said, I think unofficial names are becoming more numerous/prominent.
Then I read the article, and I thought it was interesting/true what it said about identities (and thus names) getting more organic and flexible. Sure, it's partly because of screen names and gender norms, but also I think by the time gen Zers are done having kids, there'll have been lots of migrating around because of changes in economy, conflict, climate; I think names used to be more flexible like that, though, before the boomer generation, so it seems like a different type of antique trend rather than revolutionary to me.
I think (or hope) that if there's more gender neutrality, it's because the names themselves are less rigidly gendered (as the article implied: one female name, one masculine name, which is also an old fashioned idea in some places), rather than surnames-as-first-names becoming even more fashionable...it seems like surnames for girls would become less popular if anything because they're the epitome of the "girl boss" trend, right? What could also happen though is that people will care less about a name's gender on paper, so that gender of names would stay relatively the same - like an Edward could be called Edda if they want, or go by Edward + she/her, who cares? Probably it will be a combination.
I hadn't thought about the "less soft" name thing, but I can see punchy/compact names being more a thing. The article implied millennial choices would be the more adventurous names (like Trinity Sage Flannagan vs a gen Zer picking Emily) but I doubt that's true. I'm sure there will be conservative name choices, but the range is going to get wider I think, more like it was in the 1800s maybe with no one blinking at names in the style of Pink and Ulysses but also with lots of people named John (and misspellings were common back then too!).
Though I will only believe the thing about special characters being allowed in official names when I see it. Maybe Gen Z will make that happen eventually but not in time to name their own kids imo, except it won't matter because as the article said, I think unofficial names are becoming more numerous/prominent.
This message was edited 3/26/2022, 10:23 PM
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As a zoomer, my taste in names is more eclectic for sure. I love mythological names, word names, vintage names, and unisex names. For my children, I'm planning on using soft, classic first names with middle names from Greek mythology. I would definitely say that I prefer soft/vowel-filled names, though.
Edit: forgot to mention, I changed my name as well!
Edit: forgot to mention, I changed my name as well!
This message was edited 3/26/2022, 7:53 PM
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I'm millennial but I changed my name as it was too common originally.
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It annoys me. A child wanted to be named “Korn” what? I don’t like gender neutral names.
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I actually don't know anyone from that generation who has kids yet. Most people have children between the ages of 30 and 39 now from my experience, or often early 40s too so it will still be a while.
The trends that we see now can still be linked to the millennial generation.
Also, 1997-2000 or sometimes even later is a bit of an overlap, many sources name 1980-2000 for millennials. In my opinion the 1997-2000 people still have a lot of characteristics of the millennial generation and I don't think their names will be different. As for the younger ones it's just too early to tell.
I think the millennial plus 1997-2000 peoople love nature names and names from about 100 years ago. Also Greek mythology like Athena, Penelope etc. and I think Harry Potter names, they have been rising a lot beyond the top 1000 (Draco, Lavender etc.)
I guess we could assume that the 2005+ generation will like unisex names more but even though this generation pretends to be very politically active on social media from my experience they aren't that involved in real life except for the occasional demonstration. I think the might actually end up more conservative growing up than the millennials as they are already making fun of the millennials' immature lifestyle and Harry Potter obsession.
But in my opinion millennials might get adjusted officially to ending a bit later in a few years. I know they are described as people who remember a time without constant access to the internet and who remember 9/11. But people born in 1997-2000 will still have grown up largely without regular internet access. Many families only had one home computer and maybe one work computer until 2005/2006 or so when they became more common. So children wouldn't have regular access, only sometimes, let alone their own laptop or smartphone. Proper smartphones didn't become the norm until about 2010, when some of these kids were as old as 13. And I think in 2010 no one would have given one to a kid.
The 2005 plus generation is very very different because they basically grew up with smartphones and ipads in their faces at all times. So now idea what they will do with 1997-about 2005. As these kids would have had a completely different experience more closely resembling that of millennials. Will be interesting to see.
The trends that we see now can still be linked to the millennial generation.
Also, 1997-2000 or sometimes even later is a bit of an overlap, many sources name 1980-2000 for millennials. In my opinion the 1997-2000 people still have a lot of characteristics of the millennial generation and I don't think their names will be different. As for the younger ones it's just too early to tell.
I think the millennial plus 1997-2000 peoople love nature names and names from about 100 years ago. Also Greek mythology like Athena, Penelope etc. and I think Harry Potter names, they have been rising a lot beyond the top 1000 (Draco, Lavender etc.)
I guess we could assume that the 2005+ generation will like unisex names more but even though this generation pretends to be very politically active on social media from my experience they aren't that involved in real life except for the occasional demonstration. I think the might actually end up more conservative growing up than the millennials as they are already making fun of the millennials' immature lifestyle and Harry Potter obsession.
But in my opinion millennials might get adjusted officially to ending a bit later in a few years. I know they are described as people who remember a time without constant access to the internet and who remember 9/11. But people born in 1997-2000 will still have grown up largely without regular internet access. Many families only had one home computer and maybe one work computer until 2005/2006 or so when they became more common. So children wouldn't have regular access, only sometimes, let alone their own laptop or smartphone. Proper smartphones didn't become the norm until about 2010, when some of these kids were as old as 13. And I think in 2010 no one would have given one to a kid.
The 2005 plus generation is very very different because they basically grew up with smartphones and ipads in their faces at all times. So now idea what they will do with 1997-about 2005. As these kids would have had a completely different experience more closely resembling that of millennials. Will be interesting to see.
This message was edited 3/26/2022, 7:06 PM
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My daughter born 2005 has mentioned going back to normal names and no weird spellings eg names not words
This message was edited 3/26/2022, 7:12 PM
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There are still "normal" names that are words though, like Melody, Rose or Robin for instance.
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I think they might bring back names that are seen as dated to the late 80s, 90s, or early 00s, because I see a lot of kids enamored by names (and fashions) like that.
Perhaps they may also favour unexpected, "forgotten" names that most people don't really think about and that don't fit into any strong categories. I have seen a few young people express interest in these names that are surprising and refreshing in their random ordinariness. Like....Curtis. or Maureen.
Other than those ideas, I have no idea what will happen.
Perhaps they may also favour unexpected, "forgotten" names that most people don't really think about and that don't fit into any strong categories. I have seen a few young people express interest in these names that are surprising and refreshing in their random ordinariness. Like....Curtis. or Maureen.
Other than those ideas, I have no idea what will happen.
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I like Maureen and Curtis. Idk if I'm deluded, but I want Mildred to become semi-fashionable at some point in the next couple decades. It seems like the type of name that's overwhelmingly dull to most millennials but that gen Zers could admire.
Or it'd be hilarious to me if Bob made a comeback.
Or it'd be hilarious to me if Bob made a comeback.
This message was edited 3/26/2022, 10:03 PM
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We are already seeing more made up names, surname names, nature names, and more occupational names like ones ending in “er”. I think more people will be naming their babies after characters, like characters from books, movies, tv shows and video games.
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