When it comes to baby names, parents across the country draw inspiration from many different sources. Some baby names are inspired by countries, like India or America, while others come from famous people. In fact, many of the most popular baby names today are inspired and adopted from the names of celebrities.
Sometimes certain baby names become more common after a celebrity from the past or present has brought some fame to it. Here are some of the most common celebrities that parents are naming their children after.
- Aaliyah
This name is a variation of the Arabic name Aliya, and it has been made popular by the late American R&B singer, Aaliyah. So many parents have been naming their babies Aaliyah that the singer’s namesake remains one of the most popular girl names that start with A.
- Charlize
Charlize is a name that was not very common until the incredibly talented South African actress Charlize Theron rose to stardom. In fact, the name Charlize leaped into baby name popularity lists in 2004 when she won an Oscar for her leading role in the movie Monster.
- Drake
Superstar rapper Drake shot into the limelight around 2009, and the very next year the name Drake was at the height of its popularity amongst new parents. Although the name is slowly becoming less popular, it may see a resurgence as Drake’s career continues.
- Joaquin
Joaquin is an incredibly popular name in South America, particularly in Argentina and Chile. However, actor Joaquin Phoenix has made the name more recognizable in the United States and parents have taken notice. Since then, Joaquin has become one of the most appealing and popular multicultural names for baby boys.
- Keira
Before Keira Knightley became a Hollywood icon for her roles in movies like Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and Love Actually, the name Keira was often found in the more popular form of Kiera or Kieran for males. Since Keira Knightley’s skyrocket to fame, Keira has become the more common and recognized version of the name.
- Liam
Liam is currently one of the most popular names for boys and has maintained a position in the top rankings for several years. In fact, it is also one of the fastest-rising Irish names in the United States and this can possibly be attributed to the popularity of Irish-born actor Liam Neeson and One Direction member Liam Payne.
- Lupita
Lupita is a pet name that stems from the Mexican name Guadalupe, which translates to the “valley of the wolves.” This name has been on the rise recently because it is associated with the Mexican-born Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o. Lupita had a meteoric rise to stardom after the film 12 Years a Slave and has carried the momentum of her career with roles in hit movies like Us and Black Panther.
- Mila
Mila is a short-form version of the European name Milena. Although this name has not been a popular one in the last few hundred years, it has quickly jumped in popularity since Mila Kunis starred in That 70s Show. As she continued her career, starring in critically acclaimed films like Black Swan, she brought recognition to the name Mila. Nowadays, Mila is a popular trendy name that parents are choosing more and more frequently.
- Serena
Serena is a girl’s name that comes from a Latin origin meaning “tranquil or serene.” Although this name has been used since the days of Ancient Romans, it gained a huge surge of popularity alongside the tennis superstar Serena Williams. While Serena is a popular name on TV shows and dramas, Serena Williams is still the primary reason why the name is recognized worldwide.
- Zoe
Zoe is a surprising entry on this list because the name has actually been popular since the late 1800’s. However, the name Zoe is only recently reaching the top of popularity lists for names. Although there are various alternatives like Zoey and Zooey, Zoe has been given a great boost thanks to actress Zoe Saldana. Zoe Saldana is best known for her role as Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Honorable Mentions for Popular Celebrity Names
There are hundreds of celebrities that are influencing parents to name their children after them, and not all of them made our list. Here are a few honorable mentions for popular celebrities that babies are being named after:
- Ariana (Ariana Grande)
- Ashton (Ashton Kutcher)
- Cameron (Cameron Diaz)
- Gisele (Gisele Bundchen)
- Harrison (Harrison Ford)
- Jada (Jada Pinkett Smith)
- Jude (Jude Law)
- Miley (Miley Cyrus)
- Selena (Selena Quintanilla)
- Scarlett (Scarlett Johansson)
