2018 will be the year of gender-flipped baby names, study reveals
Parents will increasingly choose gender-flipped names for their newborns, new research has found.
The survey of 1,517 people discovered that more than one in three young parents are considering using a gender crossover name.
This means that 2018 could be the year to put a large dent in the concept of gendered names.
The study from parenting site ChannelMum.com revealed some of the names which could make up this cultural shift.
Look out for parents naming their female-presenting newborns Teddy, Robin and Noel, with their male-presenting bundles of joy receiving names like Carol and Aubrey.
The trend of gender-flipping names was the second most popular for 2018, after space-related names like Nova, Orion and Stella.
37% of young parents are considering going for a gender-flipped name, according to the results.
The trend reflects an overall movement away from gendered names.
In 2015, BabyCenter.com found that gender-neutral names like Amari, Karter, Phoenix, Quinn and Reese were rising in popularity.
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At the time, BabyCenter’s global editor in chief Linda Murray said the change was down to younger, more open-minded parents, as well as a general rejection of gender stereotypes.
“As usual, baby names are reflecting a larger cultural shift,” she said.
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“Millennials are an open-minded and accepting group, and they don’t want their children to feel pressured to conform to stereotypes that might be restrictive.”
Last year, it was revealed that different versions of the name Caitlyn had dipped in popularity since Caitlyn Jenner came out as trans in 2016.
(Photo: Haveseen)
In the year following Jenner’s announcement, Caitlyn, Caitlin, Katelynn and Kaitlynn were used less than previously, according to the Social Security Administration.
Things are complicated slightly by parents’ deliberations, though.
ChannelMum found that 46% disagreed with their partner over what to call their newborn.
Might we suggest Danica? Or maybe Munroe?
