Weapon-Inspired Baby Names Are On The Rise
Weapon-Inspired Baby Names On The Rise — Experts Warn Against ‘Glamorizing Violence’
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Parents are going the untraditional route and choosing some unique names for their newborns, but some experts express concern that a few of these choices may be too “aggressive” for their little ones.
In an article for the HuffPost published Jan 16, Nameberry editor-in-chief Sophie Kihm revealed that parents are opting for “weapons-inspired” names for their boys, choosing monikers such as Wesson, Caliber, and Shooter.
“There is a small but noticeable trend of parents using weapons-inspired ― and, more broadly, aggressive ― names for their sons,” Kihm told the HuffPost. “Many of these names first appeared on the baby name charts in the 2000s, including Wesson, Caliber, Shooter, and Trigger.”
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If you’re familiar with firearms, Wesson takes inspiration from the company Smith & Wesson, a well-known American manufacturer of firearms and ammunition. Founded in 1852, the company is particularly famous for its revolvers, though it also produces semi-automatic pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Caliber is a measurement used to describe the diameter of a bullet or the barrel of a gun.
Here are the weapon-inspired baby monikers that were used the most between 2018 and 2022.
Other popular weapon-inspired names on the rise include Blade, Cannon, and Dagger, a type of short knife with a pointed, double-edged blade, typically designed for stabbing or thrusting, which Kihm noted was used 13 times in 2022. Wesson was a popular name in 2021, with 306 babies given the name, followed by Caliber and Mace with 24 and 64 uses respectively in 2018 and 2022.
“It’s hard to say if these names have truly peaked in use or if some will go on to greater use, but I don’t think we’re past this trend yet!” Kihm, who isn’t a big fan of the trend, said. She believes it “glamorizes” violence.
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Here are the weapon-inspired baby monikers that were used the most between 2018 and 2022.
Other popular weapon-inspired names on the rise include Blade, Cannon, and Dagger, a type of short knife with a pointed, double-edged blade, typically designed for stabbing or thrusting, which Kihm noted was used 13 times in 2022. Wesson was a popular name in 2021, with 306 babies given the name, followed by Caliber and Mace with 24 and 64 uses respectively in 2018 and 2022.
“It’s hard to say if these names have truly peaked in use or if some will go on to greater use, but I don’t think we’re past this trend yet!” Kihm, who isn’t a big fan of the trend, said. She believes it “glamorizes” violence.
“It’s rare for me to outright reject a name or name trend, but I cannot get behind weapon-inspired names,” Kihm said. “In name consulting, I’ve never encountered a parent who wants to use these names, but I would advise any client against it.”
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Jennifer Moss, founder of BabyNames.com, suggests that the alarming trend may reflect a reaction from some parents who feel unsettled by the growing cultural embrace of diverse gender identities and expressions beyond the traditional male-female framework. It could be a way of ensuring they maintain a sense of masculinity.
“Assigning these overly violent names might be a reaction to the fear that their son might have less-than-masculine traits,” Moss added. “So these parents assign a dictionary word name that has been traditionally associated with aggression or strength, hoping to instill those characteristics into their male offspring.”
What are your thoughts on this growing trend?
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