According to most headlines, millennials have ruined everything. The last thing I heard they ruined was tuna fish — since supposedly, millennials don’t have can openers. But as a millennial myself (who owns a can opener, for the record) I’m here to state that our generation really appreciates food — so much that we’re naming our kids after it.
BabyCenter released a report stating that there are plenty of baby girls out there named “Kale” today. So, uh — let’s hope kale never faces the same problem romaine did this year. The name “Kiwi” also saw a 40 percent rise, and “Maple” — which is very sweet, pun intended — was up by 32 percent. More babies are being named “Clementine” than before. And in a move that Donovan might appreciate, the name “Saffron” also rose by over 30 percent.
Saffron’s not the only herb or spice that saw a rise — Sage is becoming more popular for boys, and Rosemary, which may be one of the most common out of the bunch, is also trending.
Sometimes, food is just beautifully named. But Linda Murray, the SVP of Consumer Experience and Global Editor in Chief of BabyCenter, has a theory as to why food names are increasing in popularity. “Parents are inspired by the things they love as well as the sound of a name,” she said to Extra Crispy. “In the past, we’d look to the Bible or royalty for name inspiration. Today’s parents turn to other sources.” Like, the grocery aisle — or Instacart.
Even though trends come and go, this is one that might stick around for some time. Aside from the aforementioned romaine, it’s rare to see food items — especially spices — become unpopular. Just make sure to stick to ones you’ve heard of before, and not name a baby something like “donut” or “crescent roll.” Then again, you do you, boo.
