The 2016 Presidential election cycle is in full swing. And if you somehow missed it, America’s political and cultural climate can be noticed in current popular baby names, as BabyCenter reports.
The presidential hopeful serving as the biggest source of inspiration is Hillary Clinton, along with her family. The name Hillary is up 142% since this time last year, while “Bill” increased 113%, “Chelsea” jumped 18%, and “Charlotte” is up 17%.
The name Donald has also increased in popularity, up nearly 80% from last year, according to the survey.
“A presidential election is a big deal, and new parents who choose names like Hillary and Donald are placing a bet that their new baby will share the name of the next American president,” said Linda Murray, BabyCenter Global Editor in Chief. “In a sense, they’re already voting for their favorite candidate.”
Another presidential name growing in popularity is Hamilton, after the popularity of the smash Broadway musical of the same name.
“The combination of Hamilton’s success and the election year has parents feeling patriotic,” said Murray. “When parents reach into history to select a leader’s name for their child, it’s usually because they feel inspired by that person’s values and legacy. The Broadway show’s multi-ethnic, cross-culture story speaks to millennial parents. Hamilton is the new Lincoln or Madison.”
Other popular baby names this year include Star Wars-inspired baby names Lucas, Liam, and Rey; romantic names like Amelia, Olivia, and Camila; gender neutral names such as Addison, Sydney, and Blake. Retro names popular in the 1920s and 1930s like Clara, Sadie, and Julia for girls, and Eli, Charlie, and Dominic for boys are also making a comeback.
As noted by Murray, these popular baby name trends can signal bigger trends in the cultural climate and consumers' interests. With the reintroduction of retro-names may come an increasing demand for vintage-inspired clothing and nursery décor. Stellar box office numbers from franchises like Star Wars can translate into a renewed interest in space-themed nursery accessories.
Image courtesy of Today.com
