Choosing a name for a newborn baby is an important decision for every family, as a name not only identifies a person, but also reflects the cultural and social trends of the time. As of April 2025, the fashion for names in Ukraine and the world is showing interesting changes and influences. Let's take a look at the current trends in Ukraine with IZ and compare them with popular names in the USA, France and Japan.
Content
- Trendy names in Ukraine
- Comparison with other countries
- USA
- France
- Japan
- Comparison of trends in name selection
- Ukraine at the crossroads of trends
Trendy names in Ukraine
In recent years, an interesting trend has been observed in Ukraine: on the one hand, a return to traditional Ukrainian names, and on the other, a growing popularity of rare or Western European names.
For girls:
- Anna
- Sofia
- Maria
- Milan
- Kateryna
- Solomiya
- Polina
- Victoria
For boys:
- Artem
- Maxim
- Bogdan
- Dmitry
- Mykhailo
- Andriy
- Denis
- Danylo
- Timothy
- Makar
- Mark
Interestingly, alongside traditional names like Anna and Artem, Ukrainian parents are increasingly choosing unique names for their children. Among the unusual names registered in 2025 were Barbie, Mercy, Sultan, Dobrynya, and Svyatogor.
Comparison with other countries
USA
In the United States, naming trends reflect multiculturalism and the influence of pop culture. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration, the most popular names were:
For girls:
- Olivia
- Emma
- Charlotte
- Amelia
- Sophia
- Mia
- Isabella
- Ava
- Evelyn
- Luna
For boys:
- Liam
- Noah
- Oliver
- James
- Elijah
- Mateo
- Theodore (Theodore)
- Henry
- Lucas
- William
It is worth noting that names that are easy to pronounce in different languages, such as Mateo and Luna, are gaining popularity, reflecting the growing multiculturalism of society.
France
French parents prefer elegant and classic names. According to the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Research (INSEE), the most popular names were:
For girls:
- Louise
- Jade
- Amber (Ambre)
- Alba
- Emma
For boys:
- Gabriel
- Leo (Léo)
- Raphael
- Louis
- Maël
Traditional French names like Louise and Gabrielle remain popular, emphasizing a commitment to classicism and sophistication.
Japan
In Japan, choosing a name for a child is deeply important, as parents strive to choose not only a melodious name, but also one that has positive meaning and symbolism. According to a survey conducted by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance, the most popular names for newborns were:
For girls:
- Tsumugi (紬) – means “raw silk”, which is associated with tenderness and elegance.
- Sui (翠) – translates as “emerald”, symbolizing beauty and value.
- Rin (凛) – means “cold” or “stern”, but in the context of the name reflects elegance and strength of character.
For boys:
- Haruto (陽翔) – combines the characters for “sun” (陽) and “flight” (翔), symbolizing hope for a bright future and the child’s success.
- Nagi (凪) – means “calm” or “tranquility,” reflecting the parents’ desire for their children to live in peace and harmony.
- Asahi (朝陽) – “morning sun”, symbolizes new beginnings and energy.
The fashion for names here is associated with harmony of meaning, as well as with celebrities and characters from popular culture (anime, movies, J-pop).
Comparison of trends in name selection
Despite cultural and linguistic differences, there are several common trends that can be observed in name choices around the world:
A return to the classics — traditional names are back in fashion, but with a modern sound.
Short, melodious names — they are easy to pronounce and international.
Uniqueness and rarity – parents increasingly want their child's name to stand out.
The influence of media and culture — TV series, songs, celebrities — shape “trendy” names.
Ukraine at the crossroads of trends
Ukrainians are increasingly seeking to combine the traditional with the international. For example, the names Sofia , Makar , Emilia sound natural both in Ukraine and abroad. At the same time, interest in ancient names is growing: Yarema , Orysya , Tikhon , Danyla .
The number of foreign names in official registration is also increasing — Milana , Alice , Liam , Nicole — often in children of mixed families or simply as a manifestation of globalization.
A name is more than just a word. It is a symbol of an era, a cultural choice, and the personal preferences of parents. Today's world offers enormous freedom of choice, so fashionable names are always a dialogue between tradition, modernity, and one's own style.
Read more about family vacations in our previous article “Where to go with children in Berlin in April”