The most popular baby names – inspired by travel

More and more babies are born each year with unusual names, from celebrities naming their children after fruit to old names making a comeback. However, a trend that has also risen over the past 20 years is parents being influenced by travel destinations and landmarks when naming their children.

Travelling to a new destination is always inspiring, with influence from new cultures, beautiful buildings, sites, and food and drink. So, it’s not uncommon that holiday goers want to make these memories last.

Considering this, the experts at SkyParkSecure have analysed ONS data* for all newborn names for girls and boys across England and Wales between 2001 and 2021 and put together the most popular names that could have been inspired by some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, cities, and countries.

The top eight girl names inspired by travel

1. Sophia

With 39,029 Sophias born over the last 20 years, this beautiful name has made it to the top of the list and could have been inspired by ‘Hagia Sophia’ a Mosque located in Istanbul, Turkey.

2. Florence

In second place is the pretty name Florence, with 25,831 names registered. Florence is a city in central Italy and the capital of the Tuscany region, which could’ve influenced many parents to name their child Florence.

3. Sofia

Sofia could be inspired by the capital of Bulgaria, with 23,499 registrations placing it in third position.

4. Victoria

Victoria takes the fourth spot at 11,527 names. Whilst Victoria is a state in Australia, which is home to Melbourne, the name Victoria could also refer to a couple of other destinations, including Victoria Falls, as well as the capital city of Canada’s British Columbia.

5. India

With 6,211 registrations, India comes in fifth place, and if you’ve been to this beautiful country, you can see why you might want to name your baby girl after it.

6. Paris

Paris is another name from the top 10 list that could’ve been inspired by a European City, with 3,328 registrations.

7. Sydney

Another name possibly inspired by an Australian destination is Sydney, in seventh place with 3,247 registrations.

8. Liberty

Liberty, sometimes abbreviated to Libby, comes in at eighth place with 3,090 registrations. The name Liberty could be inspired by the statue of Liberty in New York City.

The top eight boy names inspired by travel

1. Ellis

With 14,946 registrations, Ellis comes out on top, which may take inspiration from New York’s Ellis Island.

2. Rio

With 5,430 registrations, Rio is in second place, which could have taken inspiration from one of Brazil’s biggest cities.

3. Brooklyn

Heading to New York, Brooklyn makes it into third place with 2,775 registrations – perhaps partly inspired by the edgiest suburb of New York City.

4. Milan

Milan, possibly inspired by the capital of Italy, comes in at the fourth spot with 2,071 registrations.

5. Santiago

Santiago, the capital of Chile could have inspired 1,350 people to name their children, coming in at fifth place.

6. Cairo

Egypt’s capital may have inspired 1,073 people to name their children after it.

7. Rome

Rome is the second location on the top 10 that could be inspired by Italy, taking seventh spot with 666 registrations.

8. Bryce

Coming in at eighth place with 534 registered names for Bryce, possibly influenced by Bryce canyon national park, located in Utah, USA.