10 nature-inspired baby names making a comeback this year

If you have a new baby on the way, one of the most exciting parts is deciding on a name. Finding something unique that will suit your new baby can be a challenge but there are some names that are gaining popularity.

Vintage inspired names and floral names have already seen a boom, and now its ocean-themed names are seeing a boost. Travel experts at Iglu Cruise have used data from the Office of National Statistics to discover which ocean-inspired baby names have seen the highest increase since 1996. The girl’s name which has gained the most popularity since 1996 is Ariel, which has seen an increase in use of 1,950%.

Hebrew in origin, this name means lion of God – and was also the name of the main character in the 1989 film The Little Mermaid. This film was remade in 2023, which may have contributed to the surge in popularity for the name.

Second on the list for girls’ names is Blue, with an increase of 900%. The name grew in popularity after Beyonce and Jay-Z named their eldest daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

In third place is Pearl, with an increase of 652%. This feminine name is English, Latin and French in origin and is also a rare jewel found in oysters and other molluscs. Actress and comedian Maya Rudolph used the name for one of her daughters.

Ocean is another popular girls’ name with an increase of 548%. Greek in origin, it means sea and is commonly used in English speaking countries, Celebrities who have chosen this name for their kids include singer Jesy Nelson and American reality TV star Lala Kent.

In fifth place is Sandy, with an increase of 11% for girls. Also Greek in origin, it means ‘defender of mankind’.

For boys, Ocean has seen the largest increase with 1015% uptick since 1996. Sandy is second for boys with a 600% increase, and then Blue at 440%.

Ariel has also seen an increase in use for boys at 283%. The name is used in Shakespeare’s The Tempest for an ambiguous spirit of no gender – however, some have theorised the spirit is male as male pronouns are used throughout the play. In last place for boys is the name Reef, which has seen a 233% increase. The name primarily originates from the English word for a marine rock/coral formation, symbolising strength, nature, and the sea.