Warning to parents as 20 popular baby names have little-known dark meanings

A warning has been issued to parents as 20 popular baby names have little-known dark meanings.

As many new parents welcome their first child in the upcoming year, the thrilling process of selecting the perfect name for their baby now unfolds. A surge of inspiration is set to come from notable pop culture events in 2024, notably the releases of ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’.

Curiously, some of the UK’s most cherished and trendy baby names carry meanings that might give pause to those naming a newborn for 2025, KentLive reports.

Prashant Patel, who runs Personalised Bee, commented, “Looking to the future, several trends are expected to shape the baby names of 2025 in the UK. Name trends are likely to continue reflecting religious traditions and global influences. More unique names such as Aurora, Elodie, and Rowan are gaining momentum.

“Also, we’re seeing pop culture continuing to have a big impact on baby’s names and shaping choices, so names linked to high profile personalities, beloved fictional characters, or global events may rise in popularity.”

He also noted that “In 2025 we’re going to see name trends highlight both personal and cultural markers, such as the latest releases of films and music in the UK is already having a direct impact on the trendiness of certain names.

“According to ONS (Office for National Statistics) found the following summer blockbuster films Barbie (starring Margot Robbie) and Oppenheimer (starring Cillian Murphy), in 2023 there were an additional 215 baby girls named Margot and 14 baby boys named Cillian, compared with 2022.

“Although, many parents in the new year will be looking for a name that has a significant and profound meaning behind them.

“We found from looking into some of the most popular names in the UK, it might change your mind if you are thinking of using them when you see how many actually have negative connotations behind them.”

Here are 10 boy names to avoid in 2025:

Damien – Also can be spelt as ‘Damian’ which is of Greek origin, this can mean ‘To tame’ and ‘subdue’.

Jacob – One that has been growing in popularity over time but actually doesn’t have the most empowering meaning! This name is of Hebrew origin, referring to a “supplanter” or “one who follows”.

Byron – This name has slowly been increasing in popularity since 2021, but it might be one we leave in 2024 as its meaning is ‘a cowshed’ or ‘a barn’ from Old English origin.

Samael – This name can also be shortened to ‘Sam’, a popular boys name that actually has the negative meaning ‘God has heard’ or ‘Venom of God’.

Cain – This one has links to the biblical story of Cain who killed his brother Abel and symbolises betrayal and jealousy, so not a name to give to a newborn boy.

Kieran – This name has been decreasing in popularity over the years, and it’s no surprise due to its eerie meaning, one of them being ‘dark’ in Irish and Scottish.

Cameron – Believed to come from the Gaelic word ‘cam sron’ which has the meaning of ‘crooked nose’, which might take away from the cuteness of your newborn baby.

Macrinus – Following the trend of unique names and recent pop culture, the new Gladiator II is already creating a buzz and may start to influence new baby names. However, one name you might want to avoid is Macrinus, the main villain of the film.

Campbell – This common boys’ name, sadly, refers back to appearance; it’s a Scottish name meaning ‘crooked mouth’.

Tristan – Kardashian fans might choose this name due to its link to Tristan Thompson, the Canadian basketball player who was previously in a relationship with Khloe Kardashian. However, this name has a sad meaning in Celtic, referring to ‘sorrowful’ or ‘sorrowful one’.

Here are 10 girl names to avoid in 2025:

Delilah – This name is originally related to a biblical character and represents ‘deception’ or ‘betrayal’.

Lilith – In Judaism, the name Lilith refers to a ‘demon’ or a rebellious figure.

Morgana – From Arthurian legend, this name refers to King Arthur’s half-sister who becomes an enchantress, often depicted as deceitful and antagonistic.

Jezebel – This name is associated with a biblical queen seen as manipulative and immoral, leading to its use as a term for a promiscuous or deceitful woman.

Leah – A popular name in the UK, but in Hebrew, it actually means ‘weary’ or ‘tired’.

Lola – This name is inspired by the Spanish name ‘Dolores’, which translates to ‘lady of sorrows’.

Mara – This name, with ties to various cultures and religions, often carries the Hebrew meaning of ‘bitter’.

Molly – Despite its diverse interpretations, the name frequently conjures up the negative connotation of ‘bitter’ in both Irish and Hebrew contexts.

Emily – A favoured name in the UK, Emily is derived from the Latin ‘Aemilius’, meaning “rival”.

Rebecca – With meanings that lean towards aggressive verbs like ‘to bind’, ‘to tie’, or ‘snare’, it might be wise to steer clear of this name by 2025.