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Why parents no longer choose traditional names for their children
2026-02-10 14:10:11 / JETË
Parents around the world are increasingly moving away from traditional names and choosing rare or unique names for their children, according to a major scientific analysis that examined naming trends across several countries and cultures.
The study, published in the academic journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, analyzes empirical evidence from multiple international studies and concludes that the use of unusual names has increased significantly over time in many countries, including Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, China and Indonesia.
According to the analysis, the rise of rare names is not a local phenomenon or limited to a few countries, but a global trend that extends across different cultural areas, from Europe and North America to East and Southeast Asia.
The study authors point out that the choice of less common names is linked to broader cultural changes, particularly the rise of individualism. In many modern societies, the desire to stand out and emphasize personal identity is also reflected in the way parents name their children.
What studies show by country
In Germany, an analysis of names used during the period 1894–1994 showed an increase in unique names and a more frequent appearance of new names that had not been used before.
In the United States, research that analyzed data from 1880 to 2015 showed a steady decline in the use of the most popular names, both nationally and regionally.
The trend has also been confirmed in the United Kingdom and France, where historical studies have shown a decrease in the dominance of the most commonly used names, suggesting greater diversification in name choice.
In Asia, the situation presents similar patterns, albeit with specific cultural features. In Japan, studies show that parents are using traditional characters in more creative ways, pronouncing them differently to create more unique names.
Meanwhile, in China, more frequent use of less common characters and changes in the traditional length of names have been observed.
In Indonesia, analyses show that unique names have begun to increase significantly, especially after the 1970s.
Changes that reflect social transformations
Researchers point out that changes in naming provide insight into cultural and social transformations.
The rise of rare names is considered an indicator of the spread of individualistic values, which have been documented in many countries over the past few decades.
The analysis also brings together research from various academic fields, including psychology, sociology, linguistics, and demography, providing a more complete picture of how naming practices evolve globally.
However, researchers warn that for some early historical periods, the representativeness of the data may be more limited, as the registration of names was not always complete.
Overall, the study concludes that choosing unusual names for children is becoming increasingly prevalent in many cultures and societies. This phenomenon is seen as part of broader social and cultural changes that emphasize individual identity and diversity.
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