BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

These Big Sporting Moments Resulted in Baby Name Surges

Look no further for some baby name inspo.
save article
profile picture of Nehal Aggarwal
By Nehal Aggarwal, Editor
Published July 29, 2022
baby playing with a soccer ball at home
Image: Mangostar/Shutterstock

Still searching for the perfect baby name for your little one? If so, you might be looking to your family tree, heritage or pop culture—and inspiration can strike in some unlikely places, such as big moments in sports. For example, in 2010, after his Master’s return, the number of babies named after Tiger Woods increased by over 200 percent. The research was conducted by Betsperts, a digital platform for sports consumers, and looked at government data to reveal which athletes and sporting moments inspired a surge in baby names across the US. Their data also found that Kobe Bryant had inspired the most baby names of any American athlete in the 21st century. Plus, the name “Sidney” has increased by over 2000 percent since 2005 thanks to Pittsburgh Penguins captain and popular athlete Sidney Crosby.

Below, the top 10 sporting moments that resulted in a baby names surge in the United States:

Tiger Woods

Woods experienced a difficult year in 2009, but returned to the Masters in April 2010. Following his return, babies being named after the athlete saw a 225 percent increase, jumping from 40 baby names in 2009 to 130 names in 2010.

Kobe Bryant

The basketball player, who had retired in 2016, tragically and unexpectedly died in a helicopter crash in January 2020. To commemorate his life, many fans named their baby after him, resulting in a 201.6 percent baby name increase from 2019 to 2020.

Venus Williams

The tennis star became the Wimbledon champion in July 2007, and, as a result, inspired a baby name surge of 115 percent from 2006 to 2008.

Derek Jeter

The New York Yankees player retired in September 2014, causing a 95.5 percent increase in babies named after him from 2014 to 2015.

Odell Beckham Jr

The football player was the 2015 NFL Rookie of Year in January 2015. As a result, the name “Beckham” rose in popularity by 83 percent between 2013 and 2017.

Kawhi Leonard

The Los Angeles Clippers basketball player won an impressive game against the Philadelphia 76ers in May 2019 by scoring the winning shot. As a result, he inspired a baby name increase of 79.5 percent between 2018 and 2019.

David Beckham

The superstar soccer player joined LA Galaxy in 2007, inspiring a baby name surge for “Beckham” of 77.7 percent between 2006 and 2008.

Vince Carter

The basketball player held the NBA record for the most free throws made in a quarter in December 2005. This inspired a baby name increase for “Vince” of 47 percent between 2005 and 2006.

Carli Lloyd

The former pro soccer player had the fastest hat-trick (when a single player scores three goals in one game) in World Cup history in July 2015, inspiring a baby name surge of 42.7 percent between 2014 and 2016.

Floyd Mayweather

The former boxer beat fellow fighter Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision in April 2014, inspiring a baby name surge for “Floyd” of 35.6 percent between 2014 and 2016.

To see the full research, visit BetSperts.com, and for more baby name ideas, check out the lists on TheBump.com.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

More Baby Names News

Hilary Swank is seen at GMA on October 05, 2022 in New York City
Hilary Swank Reveals Her Twins' Names in Adorable Beachside Snap
By Wyndi Kappes
Sam hunt and his wife Hannah Fowler
Sam Hunt and Wife Hannah Lee Fowler Reveal Sex and Name of Baby No. 2
By Wyndi Kappes
kourtney kardashian and travis barker at their baby shower
New Details About Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker's Baby Revealed
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Jay Z, daughter Blue Ivy Carter and recording artist Beyonce attend the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City.
Jay-Z Reveals What He and Beyoncé Originally Planned to Name Blue Ivy
By Wyndi Kappes
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky arrive for the world premiere of Marvel Studios' "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on October 26, 2022
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky Share First Photo as Family of Four
By Wyndi Kappes
Elon Musk and Grimes attend the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York City
Elon Musk and Grimes Confirm They Welcomed a Third Baby in Secret
By Wyndi Kappes
Naomi Osaka of Japan during practice on Day 2 of the National Bank Open, part of the Hologic WTA Tour, at Sobeys Stadium on August 07, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario
Naomi Osaka's Boyfriend Cordae Reveals Name of Their Baby Girl
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
kylie jenner mirror selfie with son aire
Kylie Jenner Has Officially Changed Her Son's Birth Name
By Wyndi Kappes
kourtney kardashian reveals name of son tatum robert
Khloé Kardashian Reveals Her Son's Name
By Wyndi Kappes
baby girl dressed up with sunglasses and headband
20 Baby Names Inspired by Hollywood's Biggest Stars
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry walking down stairway, smiling and waving.
This Is the Name Experts Predict Harry and Meghan Will Give Baby No. 2
By Nehal Aggarwal
celebrities pictured: katy perry and orlando bloom, offset and cardi b, travis scott and kylie jenner
27 of the Most Memorable Celebrity Baby Names
By Nehal Aggarwal
model gig hadid pictured carrying her newborn baby outside in a field
This Is What Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik Named Their Daughter
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
photo of actress emma roberts appearing on Kelly Clarkson TV Show
Emma Roberts Shares First Photo and the Name of Her Newborn Son
By Nehal Aggarwal
Ashley Graham in interview describing how her and her husband picked their son's name
Ashley Graham Reveals Sweet Story Behind Son’s Name
By Nehal Aggarwal
Katy Perry with her partner Orlando Bloom
Katy Perry Reveals Why She’s Not Picking a Baby Name Just Yet
By Nehal Aggarwal
Top 10 Worst Celeb Baby Names Ever
Top 10 Worst Celeb Baby Names Ever
By Kaitlin Stanford
ADVERTISEMENT
various characters from pop culture
These Are the Most Popular Celebrities Parents Name Baby After
By Nehal Aggarwal
ashley graham reveals baby name and gender on her podcast
Ashley Graham Reveals Birth Story and Son’s Name in Podcast Episode
By Nehal Aggarwal
bachelor star arie luydendyk's wife lauren burnham is in labor with their first baby
Lauren Burnham and Arie Luyendyk Jr.’s Baby Is Almost Here!
By Stephanie Grassullo
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.