Are parents naming babies after Pokémon characters?
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) – Could the popularity of Pokémon Go mean Pokémoms and Pokédads are bringing more Pokébabies in the world?
According to research by BabyCenter.com, the names of some Pokémon creatures are on the rise.
Roselia (+5,859 spots), Onyx (+2,184 spots) and Eevee (+1,377 spots) are all on the rise for girls compared to last year.
Additionally, the names Star (+2,040 spots for girls), Ivy (+1,287 spots for boys), and Shay (+369 spots for girls, +64 spots for boys) are spiking in popularity. Researchers are pointing to Pokémon-loving parents possibly being inspired by the creatures Starmie, Ivysaur, and Shayman.
The name of the main character, Ash (+248 spots), is gaining traction for boys.
With nearly 50 percent of BabyCenter moms playing the game, according to a recent BabyCenter poll, this connection might not be that far-fetched.
“Parents are always looking to pop culture for baby name inspiration and, right now, it doesn’t get hotter than Pokémon Go. It’s possible that parents’ enthusiasm for the game will reignite their love for the brand and spark a full-fledged naming trend,” said Linda Murray, BabyCenter Global Editor in Chief.
While we don’t think we’ll see any babies named Pikachu anytime soon, the BabyCenter team is keeping an eye on this potential trend.