Like fashion or the weather, trends in popular baby names [1] come and go before you even get a chance to get in on them. However, we have a feeling that the biggest trends when it came to naming babies in 2017 aren't going anywhere all that fast. Whereas 2016's baby name trends [2] came about over hype for the new Star Wars movie or paid homage to the early 1900s, this year's big themes were simple and understated — and are begging to continue rising in popularity next year.
Did you name your 2017 baby in accordance with the year's biggest trends? Find out ahead!
Irish Baby Names
Sure, names like Liam and Ava have been in the top slots for years, but less popular Irish names have also taken the US by storm this year. Think: Declan, Reagan, Finn, and Maeve.
Unique A Names
Although the letter A has always been a popular start to baby names (I, myself, sport an "A name"), this year saw a rise in less common names beginning with the letter A. Think: Amara, Adeline, Axel, and Atticus.
Nicknames as Full Names
Rather than naming baby Charlotte with the intention of calling her Charlie, lots of parents are going straight for the nickname they love as a full name. Think: Leo instead of Leonardo, Theo instead of Theodore, and Ellie instead of Eleanor.
Nature-Inspired Names
Animal names aren't just for animals anymore! In 2017, there was a huge boost in names inspired by animals and nature — think: Fox, Skye, River, and Phoenix.
Color-Inspired Names For Girls
Many little ladies born in 2017 sported monikers inspired by beautiful color names (not just your run-of-the-mill ROY G BIV hues). Think: Rose, Violet, Olive, and Hazel.