Baby name trends in 2024 influenced by TV shows, films, and other media.

The biggest trends in baby names for 2024 have already begun to emerge.

In the past six months, many pop culture moments have inspired parents to choose baby names.

According to Rebekah Wahlberg with BabyCenter, who is based in San Francisco, California, the trend of naming babies after characters from the movie "The Grand Budapest Hotel" has taken hold among parents-to-be, with names like Barbara and Margot becoming popular choices. However, names like Robert and Cillian are still being avoided.

"Caitlin Clark's championship performance has spawned a new generation of Caitlins (and Clarks). 'Dune: Part Two's' arid world of Arrakis has gripped both movie screens and birth certificates."

The trendiest baby names of 2024 are being influenced by Clark's court records and the solar eclipse's darkness in certain states.

1. Fantasy epics reign supreme in baby names

Fantasy epics on both the big and small screens inspired newly announced parents.

Over the past decade, the film "Dune: Part Two" has inspired parents to name their children after characters from the desert world, with some of these names appearing on lists for the first time.

Since 2012, Sihaya has been climbing the ranking, while Chani has jumped over 3,300 spots this year alone, according to BabyCenter.

The Disney TV adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians serves as a new source of inspiration for both boys' and girls' names.

Percy has gained popularity not only on television but also as a baby name.

BabyCenter reported that the name is gaining popularity among both boys and girls, moving up 296 spots to rank No. 1,304 for boys and up 700 spots to rank No. 6,327 for girls.

The name Perseus, which is of Greek origin and means destroyer, has risen 182 positions and now ranks 1,425th for boys' names.

The Greek god of war, Ares, has surged 58 positions, while Hermes, the Greek messenger god, has reappeared in the rankings after a five-year absence.

2. Celestial baby names are soaring

This year's solar eclipse inspired many popular celestial names, whether you are an amateur astronomer or a new parent.

The Spanish word "sol," meaning "sun," has risen 216 positions and is currently ranked 759th among the most popular girls' names this year, while its male equivalent, "Sunny," has advanced 92 places for boys.

Stella, a Greek name meaning "star," has risen 12 spots from its previous ranking and now stands at No. 41 among names that have reached "peak popularity."

Since 2023, the popularity of Aurora, a Latin word meaning "dawn," has risen three spots to its current ranking of No. 11, according to BabyCenter data.

For the first time since 2021, Eclipse has been added to the list of most popular girls' names, despite its rarity, according to BabyCenter.

3. Caitlin and Clark as baby names

Caitlin Clark and other women's basketball stars had a standout year, breaking records and motivating athletes across the board, including possibly some athletic parents.

Catherine, meaning pure, is the Irish origin of the name Caitlin, according to BabyCenter.

The basketball player's fame has contributed to the name's rise in popularity, moving it up 1,464 spots to No. 3,789 on the list of most popular girls' names.

BabyCenter reported that Caitlin's surname has helped boost the rank of Clark, who has jumped 12 spots since last year and is now ranked at No. 515 for boys' names.

4. Baby names based on historical TV dramas

Historical dramas from all eras are among the largest TV and streaming service shows.

The show's protagonist, Penelope, has gained popularity as a baby name and is currently ranked No. 33, while the name of the show's Queen, Charlotte, is currently ranked No. 5 on the list of most popular girls' names.

Since its first airing, the show's sibling names, including Anthony, Eloise, Francesca, Gregory, have all remained popular, with Anthony moving up five spots, Eloise moving up 20, Francesca moving up 84, and Gregory moving up 40, according to BabyCenter.

5. C-suite names gain new investments

New parents are looking at the names of big-money CEOs in the tech world as potential investments.

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, has advanced 208 positions this year, according to BabyCenter.

The decline in tech layoffs has also affected baby names, with Jeff Bezos' name falling 1,478 places this year.

Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet, is experiencing the same cuts as Google and parents, as the company's name has dropped 617 places.