Parents are shunning baby names that remind them of the pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic could well have an impact on the baby names parents choose for their little ones, a new survey has suggested.

According to new research, by ChannelMum.com, almost half (43%) of parents believe the coronavirus crisis will alter the way babies are named, with seven per cent of mums-to-be in the UK admitting they have already changed a name choice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The poll, of 2000 parents, revealed mums and dads are opting for more positive names for their little ones with Hope, Hero and Indigo among the top names for babies being born under lockdown.

Seven in ten of those surveyed listed hopeful ‘virtue’ names, with Faith, Hope, Charity, Patience and Constance predicted to come back into fashion, while 54 per cent would consider a Rainbow name after the kids’ art trend, which has become a symbol of hope in the corona crisis.

Popular picks include Iris, meaning Rainbow in Greek, alongside Indigo and Blue. But Violet is out because of its closeness to ‘virus’.

In fact parents are shunning names that remind them of the coronavirus pandemic including Corah, Corina and Rona, with families believing they sound too close to ‘Corona’.

Three in five parents polled believe similar ‘Corona’ names will fall out of fashion this year due to the disease.

Instead parents are turning to Hero-esque names in tribute to key workers.

Top choices are the gender-neutral Hero, Avery and Bravery plus Maverick for boys, with three in ten parents backing a rise in popularity for these worthy monikers.

Meanwhile Florence, which is currently number 15 in the baby name charts, could well jump into the top ten most popular list as half of parents give consider it, due to its links with the Nightingale hospitals.

With many missing loved ones in lockdown, over a third (35%) of parents plan on using a family names to honour relatives, just like Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds who combined the name of their grandfathers for new son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas.

Amongst the current uncertainty, parents-to-be are also looking to give their babies more ‘secure’ names, including Haven and Harbour, with one in five parents saying they would consider a secure name for their child, as the crisis continues.

Unsurprisingly, happy names are also proving popular with a third of new parents, as families seek out ways of ending lockdown gloom and celebrating new life.

The most selected names include Bliss, Joy, Blythe and Felicity for girls, alongside Pax and Sol for boys.

One in ten even believes the nation’s new PE teacher could have an influence on baby names with Wickes or Wix potentially picked for future offspring, while the name Joe, currently ranked 316th, could also rise through the name charts again.

Commenting on the findings ChannelMum.com baby name expert SJ Strum said: “Baby names reflect changing times and never more so than when the world is facing a catastrophe. The current crisis means parents are understandably stressed and anxious, so are using new-born’s names to celebrate new life and joy. Positive names are a wonderful way to keep focusing on the future and means that the child knows their name has real meaning.”

Names up in popularity

Hero Names

• Avery

• Bravery

• Florence

• Maverick

• Hero

• Wix or Wicks

Virtuous Names

• Hope

• Faith

• Charity

• True

• Constance

• Patience

• Promise

Happy Names

• Bliss

• Blythe (means carefree)

• Felicity (means happiness at home)

• Joy

• Solomon or Sol (means peaceful)

• Pax (means peace)

Secure Names

• Harbour

• Haven

Rainbow Names

• Iris

• Indigo

• Blue

• Red

NAMES FALLING IN POPULARITY

• Cora or Corah

• Coren

• Corina

• Corona

• Lochlan

• Lockie

• Rona

• Ronan

• Viola

• Violet

• Violette

• Vira

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