Atticus to Aquaman, inside the wild world of modern baby naming
Baby names are more diverse, or downright weird, depending on your view. But with parents choosing between timeless classics and Insta-worthy trendsetters, it really is all in the eye of the creator.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There’s a lot of pressure for parents when it comes to choosing the perfect baby name.
Amid endless options, there’s a growing appetite among South Aussie parents for one-of-a-kind names.
Athelstone parents Emily, 31, and Griffith Perkins, 30, named their daughter Oleander, 2, after the flower, calling her Oli for short.
“We loved the nickname Oli and we came across Oleander and loved that it was a beautiful flower but also a little bit feisty being poisonous,” Mrs Perkins said.
“There’s gonna be lots of Olis in her class but she’ll be the only Oleander which is special.”
Coming from an era where everyone “picked names from the top 10” Mrs Perkins said many parents want names “to match how special their child is to them.”
Davoren Park mum Eden Walker, 32, named her daughters Anneke, 5, after her partner’s Dutch grandmother and Allyra, 4, after her beloved aunt Allison.
“I took the ‘Ally’ from her name and added the ‘ra’ because I’m a very ra ra person,” she said.
Her sister, Lisa Bosworth, 45, named her daughters Savannah, 25, Shaquirra, 24, Piper, 21, and Kallistar, 7, and likes that “they’re unlikely to meet anyone with the same name.”
Victor Harbor mum Sarah Kehl, 34, named her daughter Silhouette, 3, after falling in love with it “straight away.”
“I really like unique names and Silhouette’s dad came up with her name,” she said.
While some people respond to her name with shock, many say that it’s a “pretty name.”
Celebrity parents take creativity to another level entirely with Elon Musk and Grimes’ naming their children X Æ A-Xii, 5, Exa Dark Sideræl, 3, and Techno Mechanicus, 3.
Influencer Trisha Paytas recently announced the arrival of her third child, Aquaman Moses, whose sisters are Malibu Barbie, 2, and Elvis, 1.
McCrindle Research advisory director Ashley Fell said “standout” names reflect a “desire for individuality, creativity, or personal branding.”
“In today’s digital world, where uniqueness is currency (especially on social media), some parents are opting for names that are unlikely to be shared by others in the classroom, or even globally.”
While some parents create new names, others are rediscovering old ones, with vintage names like Florence, Audrey, and Alfred experiencing a renaissance.
Adelaide mum Amelia Ross welcomed her son Atticus – inspired by Atticus Finch from Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ – in March after a challenging pregnancy.
“From the start, I knew he was going to be a fighter, carrying the same courage and strength as the character who first inspired his name,” she said.
Ms Fell said there’s been a “strong resurgence” in traditional names, particularly among millennial parents.
“Millennials in particular value meaning and narrative, and these classic names often come with rich family stories or historical associations,” she said.
“They can also evoke a sense of nostalgia, linking back to grandparents or great-grandparents in a way that honours the past while still feeling fresh.”
Either way, both trends reflect the same thing: parents want meaningful names, whether traditional or totally new.
More Coverage
Originally published as Atticus to Aquaman, inside the wild world of modern baby naming
Bedford back from brink as Mali unveils rescue plan
The Premier says the disability not-for-profit was “all over red rover” if it was forced to go into voluntary administration.
Wild scenes as man shot dead in Adelaide’s north
A neighbour has revealed the frantic scenes on a suburban street after a Taperoo man was shot dead late on Saturday night.