The start of a new year gives us the opportunity to wipe the slate clean and turn the page. It also affords us with the chance to look to new trends for inspiration throughout many areas of our lives — including the baby name department.
Laura Wattenberg, founder of the online destination BabyNameWizard.com, identified seven baby name trends parents will want to look out for in 2017.
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Who knows if the new year will be a repeat of its predecessor or a kickass time we'll never forget. (We're hoping for the latter.) All we know is that we're looking forward to all the amazing baby names 2017 will bring.
Trend: Rock Star Names
Get your amps ready and dig out your studded leather jackets. Rock star baby names are going to be all the rage come 2017. "Parents are dipping into their classic-rock playlist for name ideas," Laura Wattenberg tells CafeMom. "[These baby names] honor the independent, rebellious spirit of rock and roll."
Inspiration: Rock Star Names
Axl (Rose). (Jimi) Hendrix. (Janis) Joplin. (Led) Zeppelin. These are some of the rocker baby names moms and dads can expect to see in the new year. Can you dig it? We sure can!
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Trend: The Hot Letter 'V'
As Laura Wattenberg notes, "'V' is rising across the board" that has a certain "spiky appeal" — like the letter 'X' — that's grabbing parents' attention.
Inspiration: The Hot Letter 'V'
It looks like Channing Tatum and his wife Jenna were onto something when they named their daughter Everly. Her name, along with Vail, Everett, and Vera, are all great baby name picks that show off the hot letter 'V.' Octavia also finds a home on the list that should make actress and Oscar winner Octavia Spencer quite pleased.
Trend: Quick, Light-Meaning Names
"The new sound in word names is short and swift," says Laura Wattenberg. "If you find an appealing one-syllable word … chances are parents are turning it into a hot new name," she adds.
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Inspiration: Quick, Light-Meaning Names
When people heard Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna named their daughter Dream, some said they liked it and others said … well, not nice things. It seems this couple was definitely onto something as Dream joins names like Truth, Reef, Snow, and Fox as baby name options that are quick on the tongue and light-hearted.
Trend: Norse Names
It appears art will imitate life as Norse-inspired films and TV shows — like *Thor*, How to Train Your Dragon, and *The Vikings* — have inspired a trendy baby name movement. "Hollywood's Norse kick has brought new attention and popularity to [baby] names," Laura Wattenberg mentions.
Inspiration: Norse Names
People with a deep love for the smoking HOT Chris Hemsworth Thor can appreciate Odin, the Norse god (played by Anthony Hopkins in the movie *Thor*), that makes the list of hot Norse baby names to consider in 2017. Joining Odin are Ragnar, Bjorn, Freya, and Astrid.
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Trend: Regal Names
Sorry, Prince William and Kate, but it doesn't look like Prince George or Princess Charlotte's names are going to make this baby name list. (They're still precious!) As Laura Wattenberg says, "We're not just talking about names of royalty; we're talking names like Royalty."
Inspiration: Regal Names
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West definitely beat us to this trend by naming their son Saint. This princely title is an extremely regal baby name idea that could work for any mom or dad who's feeling this trend. Other names to add to the regal list include King, Lord, Supreme, Majesty, and Royalty. (R&B singer Chris Brown gets bonus points as his daughter is named Royalty.)
Trend: Playful-'O' Names for Boys
Names that end in 'O' have been extremely popular throughout the decades that continue to give parents tons of name options. One change Laura Wattenberg points out that should be quite popular in 2017 is the playfulness in 'O'-ending baby names for boys. "Elegant -'O' classics like Leonardo and Giancarlo still have their fans, but the new up-and-coming names have a less stately style," Laura tells CafeMom.
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Inspiration: Playful-o Names for Boys
Trend: Throwback Elegance for Girls
Who doesn't love a good throwback? Isn't that why we celebrate them on Thursdays on social media? Should you happen to appreciate retro vibes and are expecting a girl, one baby name trend for 2017 you might want to circle is graceful throwback names for girls. Laura Wattenberg mentions that "Parents are rediscovering names that are long, feminine, and elegantly formal."
Inspiration: Throwback Elegance Names for Girls
We always knew Ivanka Trump was a trendsetter (she does have her own collection of goods), but she really nailed this throwback elegance trend by naming her first child Arabella five years ago. It's definitely a baby name to look out for as it will likely rise in popularity. Other options that follow this trend include Genevieve, Ophelia, and Ariadne.
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