Why Gen Z Parents Are Choosing Classic Baby Names Over Unique Ones
Explore the latest trends in baby naming as Gen Z parents shift towards traditional names, moving away from rare and unconventional choices.
Playgrounds will soon be filled again with children named Anna, Kate, Andrew, and Michael. Fashion is cyclical in every aspect, and baby naming trends are no exception.
At the end of 2024, Svetlana Ukhaneva, head of the civil registry office in the capital, shared insights into some of the most unusual names given to newborns. The list included names like Yaropolk, Romeo, Peresvet, Lucifer, Socrates, Rook, and Mirage, alongside Fedora, Siren, Svetozar, Vladimir, Overlord, Europe, Eve, Cleopatra, Luna, Muse, Neva, Crystal, and Sugar. Jokes about young parents’ boundless creativity in naming their children have become wildly popular online—and for good reason. Kindergartens and primary school groups are now filled with Milanas, Lias, Mias, and Katarinas, replacing the traditional Lena, Olya, and Polina of the past.
Trends are cyclical, even when it comes to baby names. Experts predict that Gen Z parents will increasingly favor simpler, more traditional names, a trend already emerging today. Research conducted in early 2025 shows that in Moscow and its surrounding areas, the most popular baby names are Anna, Sophia, Dmitry, and Alexander. However, exceptions persist: in 2025, unique names like Valerya-Kataleya, Rodrigo-Victor, Theo-Bars, and even Genghis Khan have been registered, according to TASS.
In the coming years, playgrounds will likely be filled with boys named Artem, Matvey, Timofey, Maxim, Ivan, and Dmitry. Popular girl names will include Sophia, Maria, Anna, Victoria, Alice, Barbara, Ksenia, Vasilisa, and Polina. Additionally, Gen Z parents are showing renewed interest in names that were popular during the Soviet era, such as Zoya, Raisa, Nina, and Zina.
Unusual names remain rare in Russia, partly due to existing legislation. Unlike some countries where names like Elon Musk’s son’s name X Æ A-12 are possible, Russian law restricts the use of numbers, numerals, symbols, ranks, titles, profanities, and offensive words in children’s names. For example, naming a child “O2” is prohibited, but “Oxygen” is permitted.
Recently, lawmakers proposed new regulations aimed at limiting the use of unconventional names for children. Initially, the bill sought to prevent boys from being given traditionally female names and vice versa, but it has since expanded. Discussions are underway to create an official registry of approved names to protect children from bullying and social stigma.
“We must protect children from being named things like Dumplings, Tables, or Dressers,” said Tatyana Butskaya, deputy chair of the parliamentary committee on family protection, fatherhood, motherhood, and childhood.
Have you encountered any unusual baby names? Share your stories in the comments!
Photo credits: Prostock-studio, Olya Komarova, Kseniya Ivanova/Shutterstock/FOTODOM
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