Romantasy book genre drives new baby naming trends

The popularity of ‘romantasy’—a genre blending romance and fantasy—is influencing baby naming trends. Experts note an increase in parents choosing ethereal and poetic names inspired by characters from popular book series.

Authors such as Sarah J. Maas, known for the ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ series, and Rebecca Yarros, author of ‘Fourth Wing’, are cited as significant drivers of this trend. Naming experts suggest that the whimsical and fairytale-like aesthetics of these stories provide a sense of deep meaning and connection for parents seeking unique names.

Pamela Redmond of the baby name website Nameberry reported a significant rise in interest in romantasy-inspired names. The site has implemented a predictive model to track the popularity trajectory of such names through 2040, noting that names like Cassian and Azriel are seeing increased contemporary use due to their presence in these literary works.