From Pop To Baby Cribs
Pop culture has a way of leaving fingerprints on our lives and shaping not only how we speak but even what we name our children. A single character on screen can spark a trend that ripples through baby name charts across countries, and what once seemed unusual can suddenly feel timeless. This list explores 20 names that show how pop culture has influenced parents in ways both subtle and striking.
1. Arya
After 2011, Arya surged into the U.S. Top 200 baby names, according to the Social Security Administration. Its rise is directly tied to Arya Stark, a fierce heroine from Game of Thrones. Beyond TV fame, many parents chose Arya for its meaning, “noble” in Sanskrit.
2. Elsa
Elsa is a shortened form of Elizabeth, so outside of Disney, it has royal heritage. But the name soared in popularity after Frozen dropped in 2013. The character’s anthem Let It Go made Elsa a household name worldwide.
3. Bella
Thanks to Bella Swan from Twilight, Bella skyrocketed in the late 2000s. SSA reports it reached the Top 50. While the name had been moderately popular before, the vampire romance cemented its trendiness. Meaning “beautiful” in Italian makes it appealing even outside of Twilight.
4. Thor
In Scandinavia, Thor has long been a traditional boy’s name, independent of Marvel. The name comes from Norse mythology, where Thor is the god of thunder. It has appeared in SSA baby name records, with spikes after Marvel's Thor films starting in 2011.
5. Edward
During the Twilight saga, this name climbed in popularity, fueled by Edward Cullen’s character. SSA records show Edward maintained its Top 200 status during the years the movies were released. Edward also has royal roots, with multiple kings of England bearing the name.
6. Neo
Neo became a trendy baby name in the early 2000s after The Matrix debuted in 1999. The name means “new” in Greek, matching Neo’s role as “The One” who reshaped his world. SSA records confirm Neo entered U.S. charts during the trilogy’s peak popularity.
7. Trinity
Partly influenced by The Matrix, Trinity hit major popularity in the late 1990s and 2000s, ranking as high as the 48th most popular girl’s name in the U.S. in 2004, according to SSA. Tied to religious symbolism (the Holy Trinity), parents have a dual reason to choose it.
8. Anakin
Anakin first appeared on the U.S. SSA name charts in 1995 but spiked after the Star Wars prequels. Unlike many fictional names, Anakin was invented for Star Wars and had no prior history. Fans love its uniqueness while still sounding similar to traditional names like Aidan.
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9. Kylo
Following Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Kylo entered the SSA baby name charts in 2016, and more than 230 baby boys were named Kylo in the U.S. that year. The character Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver, directly inspired parents to adopt the name.
10. Luna
Boosted by Harry Potter’s Luna Lovegood, Luna was a top name by 2020. The SSA shows Luna's rise began after the films introduced her character in 2007. Meaning “moon” in Latin, the name appeals to nature-loving parents.
11. Loki
Loki entered the SSA charts after Marvel movies popularized the mischievous antihero. Tom Hiddleston’s portrayal of Loki made him a fan favorite, boosting the name’s use. In 2020, over 120 U.S. baby boys were named Loki—just ask SSA.
12. Ariel
Disney’s The Little Mermaid of 1989 pushed Ariel’s popularity in the U.S, especially in the 1990s. In Hebrew, Ariel means “lion of God”—this makes it spiritually significant—and the SSA confirms it remains a common name for both girls and boys.
13. Jasmine
A top 50 girl names in the U.S. in the 1990s, according to SSA, Jasmine’s surge in popularity was boosted by Disney's Aladdin in 1992. The name means “gift from God” in Persian, so it also has cultural richness.
14. Harley
Being used for both boys and girls makes Harley a versatile and gender-neutral choice. Its rise is linked to Harley Quinn, the DC Comics antihero who became iconic in movies. Harley is also associated with Harley-Davidson motorcycles, giving it a tough, edgy feel.
15. Logan
A top 10 baby boy name in the U.S. during the 2000s—SSA backed—its popularity is tied to Wolverine's real name, Logan, from Marvel's X-Men. The standalone film Logan (2017) gave the name even more emotional weight for fans.
16. Daenerys
After Game of Thrones became popular in the 2010s, Daenerys entered the SSA baby name charts. Parents were inspired by Daenerys Targaryen, the “Mother of Dragons” and a central figure in the series. Daenerys is a completely invented name by author George R.R. Martin.
17. Zelda
Zelda has been a recognized baby name since the late 19th century, but it rose again thanks to Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda series. The SSA confirms Zelda has re-entered the top 700 names in the U.S. in recent years.
18. Finn
Actor John Boyega’s casting as Finn brought diversity to the Star Wars universe. Finn ranked in the top 200 U.S. baby boy names after 2015, according to SSA. Its popularity rose after the character Finn appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
19. Arwen
J.R.R. Tolkien created Arwen’s name from the Elvish languages he invented. The name became more common as a baby name after the release of The Lord of the Rings films in the early 2000s. SSA records show Arwen entered U.S. baby name charts in the 2000s.
20. Maverick
Currently in the U.S. Top 50 boy names, according to the SSA, Maverick’s rise is tied to Tom Cruise’s role as fighter pilot Maverick in Top Gun and its 2022 sequel. Parents often choose Maverick to convey boldness and individuality.
