Choosing the perfect baby name can be a gruelling process. With so many choices, narrowing down which direction to go is hard. Baby names inspired by fantastic cities or a first trip to Disney are all the rage these days and may have some importance in your life.
Even if you’re not planning on vacationing at the one of the best all-inclusive resorts, you can draw inspiration and give your baby a unique name from an excellent spot (even if you’ve never been there).
A new study by travel and luggage experts Bounce reveals the best travel-inspired baby names in 2023. Here’s the breakdown of their top picks.
The top 10 most popular travel-inspired baby boy names
Claiming the top spot for the most-used travel-inspired baby name is Hudson. The name originates from the Hudson River in New York, of course. More than 77,000 boys born since 2000 in the US have chosen Hudson because it’s classic and timeless.
The English name Preston comes in second, with more than 58,000 families naming their baby after the quaint town of Lancashire, England, where you can imagine sitting outside your cobblestone house with a cup of Earl Grey. In the US, two towns named Preston exist in Connecticut and Idaho.
Camden stems from a famous borough in London, making it an excellent choice for parents looking for a sophisticated name. And, while more than 48,000 boys have claimed the gender-neutral moniker, a city by the same name exists in New Jersey if you want a trip to this well-known Philadelphia suburb to see if the name fits.
The name Dakota comes from Sioux, Native American origin, and means “friend.” More than 39,000 parents donned their babies—boy or girl—with this moniker. And, though there are two states indicating a North and South partition, the name embodies a welcoming vibe.
Kingston is it for those searching for an old English name with a little kick. Whether you’ve traveled across the ocean or not, the word for “king’s town” has roots in Kingston upon Thames and Kingston upon Hull. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? In recent years, parents have used this travel-inspired baby name to reflect trips to Kingston, Jamaica as well as Kingston, Ontario and Kingston, New York.
From Hebrew and Middle Eastern origins, Israel means “God perseveres” and is a great choice for boys or girls. In celebration of the country, it’s a unique name if you want something different. It’s also the Torah’s alternative name for Jacob, the son of Isaac, who would go on to settle the land that is now between Egypt and Jordan.
Devon, a name meaning “defender,” is a county in the Southwest of England widely known for wild moors and a vibrant history that includes pirates and smugglers. Originally, Devon comes from Celtic inhabitants who fought off Anglo-Saxon invaders, which sounds pretty punk rock for your little one.
Like the big Texas city, Dallas is of Irish origin and means “skilled.” This gender-neutral choice means From the Meadow Dwelling and is another gender-neutral choice whether you’re a Cowboys fan or not.
The name Phoenix is Greek and Latin, meaning “purple-red.” Many attribute the name to a bird who rises from the ashes, making it perfect for your courageous, persevering baby-to-be. And yes—it’s a perfectly southwestern name that celebrates Arizona and everything desert-inspired.
The name Orlando is of Italian origin, meaning “famous throughout the land,” which makes sense due to Orlando’s many celebrity origins, such as Mandy Moore and Wayne Brady.
The top 10 most popular travel-inspired baby girl names
For girls, the most-used name, Sydney, is inspired by Australia’s harbor city. More than 107,000 girls born since 2000 have taken this name and worn it with style.
New York City’s famous borough, Brooklyn, is a name more than 104,000 babies have taken. Though there are a few different meanings, those most widely used are “broken land” or “pretty brook.”
An ancient Egyptian city takes third place with the name Alexandria, which means “defender of humankind; defender of the people.” It’s a heavy responsibility—and an honor—to don this name.
The name Dakota comes from Sioux, Native American origin, and means “friend.” Actress Dakota Fanning wears this name well.
For Greek mythology enthusiasts, Paris’s affair with Helen of Troy caused the Trojan War, making this a confident, bold choice. Some note France’s city as an inspiration due to the immigrants that used it as a surname, but one of the most famous people named after it is Paris Hilton.
The name Carolina means “free man” and stems from French origins. It’s one of the many feminine forms of Charles. And, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been to North Carolina or South—most people will know this is the altered name you sing out loud from Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”
This Spanish-born name has a few variations connected to spirituality and the Virgin Mary. It means “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” and its roots come from the Arabic “valley, river.”
Journey is of British origin and means “trip” or “expedition,” but you don’t have to take either to take this one. Actress Journey Smollet was among the early fascination with the name, but it’s since risen in popularity.
From German origins, Adelaide means “noble kind,” after Queen Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen ruled Great Britain in the 19th century. The name embodies compassion, and thanks to her charity work, there’s even a town in Australia named after her.
For a more comprehensive look at travel-inspired names, click here.
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