Poland naming trends: Traditional names dominate as linguists warn against 'Melody

Statistics from the first half of 2026 indicate that traditional names continue to dominate in Poland. Zofia and Nikodem remain the most popular names for girls and boys, respectively, maintaining a multi-year trend of popularity.

For girls, the top names include Zuzanna, Maja, and Hanna. For boys, Antoni and Jan follow Nikodem in the rankings. While parents are increasingly seeking originality, the data shows a strong preference for classic, culturally rooted names.

In contrast to these traditional trends, the Council of the Polish Language has issued a warning regarding the use of the name 'Melody'. Although only 199 women in Poland bear the name, linguists advise against it. Professor Mariusz Rutkowski noted that the name lacks the typical female suffix '-a' used in Polish, which could lead to gender identification confusion. Additionally, the name is homonymous with the English word for 'melody', potentially causing linguistic and communicative difficulties.