With the buzz surrounding the upcoming Barbie movie, one might wonder if the "Barbiecore" trend will extend to baby names. Let's explore the popularity of names inspired by Barbie and her entourage, drawing insights from baby name trends specialist Rebekah Wahlberg of BabyCenter.
The name Ruth, like Barbie's creator, Ruth Handler, has seen a resurgence. (MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Classic Barbie: Barbara and Ruth
Barbara, Barbie's formal name, meaning "foreigner" or "stranger," was a top 10 name for girls from the 1920s through the 1950s. While its popularity has waned, could the movie spark a revival? Ruth, meaning "companion" or "friend," the name of Barbie's creator, Ruth Handler, has consistently ranked in the top 500 names since 1900 and has recently climbed even higher.
Barbie's Middle Name: Millicent
Millicent, meaning "strong work," is Barbie's middle name. However, it hasn't been a popular choice since the 1960s.
Barbie's diverse friend group offers a range of name possibilities. (iStock)
Barbie's Friends: Christie and Teresa
Christie, potentially short for Christine, meaning "follower of Christ," represents the first Black Barbie doll. Teresa, meaning "harvester," represents the first Latina Barbie doll. While both names enjoyed periods of popularity, they've become less common in recent times.
Margaret (Midge), Barbie's pregnant friend, has a history of popularity. (Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
Barbie's Family: Margaret
Margaret, meaning "child of light," is the name of both Barbie's mother and her best friend, Midge, famous for being the pregnant Barbie. This classic name enjoyed significant popularity in the early 1900s but has seen a decline recently.
Ken and His Crew: Kenneth, Allan, and Brad
Kenneth, meaning "handsome," is Barbie's iconic boyfriend, named after the creator's son. Allan, also meaning "handsome" or "rock," is Ken's best friend. Brad represents the first Black male Barbie doll. While Kenneth has consistently been a popular choice, Allan and Brad have not seen the same level of popularity.
Barbie's male companions offer further name inspiration. (Bloomberg/Getty Images/ Science & Society Picture Library)
A Surfer Dude: Blaine
Blaine, meaning "yellow," is a Gaelic name and was briefly Barbie's Australian surfer boyfriend. It peaked in popularity in the late 1980s.
Will "Barbiecore" influence baby naming trends? Time will tell. (iStock/Frederic Neema)
