Expecting a baby boy or girl in 2016? Here are the baby name trends you need to know about...
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French baby names
Nameberry are predicting that there is going to be a huge rise in French baby names this year, as a result of the world standing up to support Paris following the horrific Paris Attacks in November 2015.
Top 5 French baby girl names - and their meanings
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Armel
Meaning: Stone princess
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Clea
Meaning: Glory
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Leonie
Meaning: Lion
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Lilou
Meaning: Lily
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Maelys
Meaning: Chief
Top 5 French baby boy names - and their meanings
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Aubin
Meaning: Bright
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Jules
Meaning: Youthful
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Mathis
Meaning: Gift of God
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Remi
Meaning: Oarsman
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Timeo
Meaning: Honour
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Star Wars baby names
Star Wars: The Force Awakens has launched into cinemas and swept us all off to a galaxy far, far away (again!), so it makes sense that a lot of parents are looking for a Star Wars moniker for your baby boy or girl.
Need some inspiration?
We’ve looked out 20 seriously cool Star Wars names for your consideration - and we’ve even popped the name meanings in there, too. Check them out here.
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Short and sweet baby names
This year, names are looking to be strong, elegant, and beautiful. Not to mention a LOT less fussy - and a lot shorter, too.
You want to keep them at one syllable for the full impact.
###Top 5 short baby girl names - and their meanings
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Brie
Meaning: From France
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Eve
Meaning: Life
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Faye
Meaning: Fairy
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Liv
Meaning: Protection
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Reese
Meaning: Fiery
Top 5 short baby boy names - and their meanings
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Bruce
Meaning: Thick brush
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Cole
Meaning: Coal black
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Finn
Meaning: Fair
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Max
Meaning: Greatest
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Todd
Meaning: Fox
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Word names
Word names had a bit of a moment in 2015, and it looks like the trend is only set to get bigger this year.
Drawing from nature, occupations, colours, and more, word names offer a truly unique alternative for your baby - and are pretty intriguing to everyone around them, too.
###Top 5 word names for baby girls
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Aria
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Bliss
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Ever
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River
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Sonnet
Top 5 word names for baby boys
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Arrow
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Chance
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Prince
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Ranger
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Wild
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Unisex baby names
It’s the baby name trend EVERYONE is talking about - and it looks like it’s here to stay. With so many celebs plumping for gender ambiguous names, it’s no surprise that the general public are following in their footsteps… making for some seriously powerful, fresh, modern, and unique names.
Check out our pick of the 40 best unisex names.
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Vintage flower baby names
Top 10 vintage flower baby names - and their meanings
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###Blossom
Meaning: Perfect for a springtime baby, these pastel florals mean ‘fresh’.
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###Bryony
Meaning: The name of a flowering vine
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###Dahlia
Meaning: Dignified and elegant flower
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###Iris
Meaning: Iris isn’t just the name of a beautiful purple flower - it was also the name of the Greek goddess of the rainbow.
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###Ivy
Meaning: The evergreen leaves denote faithfulness.
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###Lilac
Meaning: The name of a pale-purple flower, symbolising beauty and pride.
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###Marigold
Meaning: Mary's gold - referring to both the flower and the mother of Jesus
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###Magnolia
Meaning: These pretty and creamy flowers signify “a love of nature”.
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###Primrose
Meaning: First rose
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###Rosemary
Meaning: Dew of the sea
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Superhero baby names
Superheroes are synonymous with power, kindness, and courage - which are all great qualities to bestow upon your newborn.
And, with so many superhero movies on the horizon, it’s a trend that they’ll fall in love with as they grow up.
We’ve picked out 60 amazing superhero names for you to try on for size - but be careful - we've thrown a few villains' names into the mix, too!
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Heavenly baby names
Many parents have given up scouring the earth for the perfect baby name and, finding nothing they liked, decided to look to the skies instead! There’s a whole galaxy of stunning celestial names to choose from, and any of them would be perfect for your little star.
Top 5 celestial baby girl names - and their meanings
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Adara
Meaning: The brightest star in the sky
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**Elara
Meaning: The lovely name of one of the moons of Jupiter
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**Luna
Meaning: Shimmering moon
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**Maia
Meaning: In Greek legend, this star name was given to the fair-haired daughter of Atlas
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**Nova
Meaning: A star that suddenly increases in brightness
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Top 5 celestial baby boy names - and their meanings
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Alpha
Meaning: Alpha Lyra is a white star in the constellation Lyra
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**Hermes
Meaning: The messenger god
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**Leo
Meaning: Lion - just like the constellation
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**Rigel
Meaning: The brightest star in Orion
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**Sirius
Meaning: The brightest star in the heavens
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‘Th’ baby names
Yup, that’s right; there’s been a rise in baby boy and baby girl names with ‘th’ sounds, giving an old-school and strongly rooted vibe to some seriously trendy monikers.
Top 5 ‘th’ baby girl names - and their meanings
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Athena
Meaning: Goddess of wisdom
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**Esther
Meaning: Star
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**Dorothea
Meaning: Gift of God
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**Tabitha
Meaning: Beauty, grace
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**Thalia
Meaning: Joyous muse of comedy
Top 5 ‘th’ baby boy names - and meanings
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Arthur
Meaning: Courageous
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**Ethan
Meaning: Strength, constancy
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**Nathaniel
Meaning: Gift of God
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**Seth
Meaning: Annointed one
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**Theo
Meaning: God given
10. 60s baby names
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This year is going to be all about the 1960s - and it looks set to revive some seriously old school, and awesome names, in the process.
If this is the trend for you, you want a fun and funky vibe, paying homage to the era of the Beatles, the mini skirt, and Cilla Black.
Top 5 vintage 60s baby girl names - and their meanings
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Angela
Meaning: Messenger or angel
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**Betty
Meaning: God is satisfaction
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**Cilla
Meaning: Ancient beauty
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**Julie
Meaning: Youthful and soft-haired
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**Peggy
Meaning: Pearl
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*Top 5 vintage 60s baby boy names - and their meanings
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Bobby
Meaning: Famed, bright, and shining
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**Kevin
Meaning: Handsome by birth
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**John
Meaning: Jehovah has been gracious
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**Patrick
Meaning: Noble
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**Ricky
Meaning: Strong ruler
**Which of these baby names trends is your favourite?
Let us know via Facebook or Twitter (@CloserOnline) now.**