Reef, Pixie, and Creed: Escapism and More Baby Name Trends Coming in 2022

Baby with name tag

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Baby with name tag
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Oh Baby!

What's in a name? If you're born in 2022, it may be adventure and fantasy, or it may be hope and stability, according to a new baby name trend report by Nameberry. The COVID-19 pandemic is influencing all aspects of our lives, and it's forecast to affect baby names as well, as parents embrace escapism or latch onto strength in spirituality. Will your future grandkids and nephews be Jerichos or Teddys? It's possible, according to these 10 upcoming baby-name trends.


Related: Great Gifts for New Parents

Cute baby girl with a smile on her face, reaching out to take her first crawling step on a lush green lawn at an outdoor park, of mixed ethnic race.
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Playful Names

Everyone is sick of the turbulent world lately, so playful, sweet, and whimsical names will be on the rise.

  • Baby
  • Gigi
  • Moxie
  • Lucky 
  • Trixie
  • Lulu

Related: 14 Ways Parents Waste Money on Kids

Little baby boy and his mother walking in the fields during summer day. Mother is holding and tickling her baby, babywearing in sling. Natural parenting concept
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Escapist Nature Names

If a baby's parents love getting lost in the woods and camping to clear their heads and recharge, they might be considering a nature- or getaway-inspired name.

  • Bali
  • Palmer
  • Dune
  • Lotus
  • Prairie
  • Ocean

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Bridgerton-Inspired Names

The most popular original Netflix series of all time, "Bridgerton," is set in Regency England and its inspiring vintage, antique-sounding names.

  • Daphne
  • Benedict
  • Rupert
  • Francesca
  • Prudence
  • Theo

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Nonbinary Names for Boys

Gender fluidity is being embraced more readily, leading to plenty of nonbinary names for girls, but fewer for boys. That may change in 2022, however, with the rise of nonbinary names for boys.

  • Artemis
  • Nova
  • Blair
  • Sunny
  • Indigo
  • Wren

Related: 16 Things You Really Don't Have to Buy Your Baby

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Spirit and Soul Names

Spiritual names taken from a diverse background of religions, traditions, and myths will reflect their parents' hope and aspirations.

  • Kali
  • Shine
  • Righteous
  • Irie
  • Veda
  • Jericho

A small blond chubby boy shows a grimace. The boy growls at the camera. Horizontal photography
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Names Ending in S

Snappy-sounding S-ending names are on the rise, including ones that sound like surnames, vintage, and mythical names.

  • Collins
  • Osiris
  • Rivers
  • Wells
  • Eros
  • Jules

Mother with baby, smiling
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Retro Nostalgia Names

Names that harken back to the nostalgic, idyllic 1950s will surge as parents look to the past with rose-colored glasses.

  • Betty
  • Hank
  • Nelly
  • Mae
  • Victor
  • Etta


Loving mixed race family
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Next Wave Musical Names

Musical names for creative parents who find solace in singing or tinkling the ivories at a piano will be on the rise.

  • Minuet
  • Rhapsody
  • Madrigal
  • Sway
  • Drummer
  • Solo

Portrait of cute little baby boy at home
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Punchy R Names

Simple, strong, and energetic short baby names that begin with R will appeal to parents, especially unisex variations.

  • Rain
  • Riot
  • Rue
  • Rogue
  • Rye
  • Rome

Young Family in Paris
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Euro Chic Names

Parents will look across the pond to Europe for names that sound fresh and sophisticated, especially for Scandinavian, Germanic, and Slavic variations.

  • Astrid
  • Oona
  • Malachy
  • Magnus
  • Viggo
  • Cillian