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Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Top baby names inspired by video game characters leading searches and beating traditional names
Parents are turning to video games to find the perfect names for their little ones, with experts noting a number of intriguing patterns when it comes to both boys and girls Since the very first baby was named, proud parents have been drawing inspiration from all kinds of sources, from revered religious texts to admired public figures. Now, they're turning to the world of video games for ideas. A new study has determined which video game characters prospective parents are looking to when naming their little ones, with choices such as Jade and Max from Beyond Good & Evil and Life is Strange topping the list of girls' names. Over on the boys' list, Arthur, of Red Dead Redemption 2 fame, has secured the number one spot. Of course, with players spending many hours within their favourite gaming universes, it's perhaps unsurprising that so many feel such an affinity with these characters, who may feel just as significant as those found in classic novels or films. With this in mind, Online Free Games analysed global Google searches for baby name queries related to popular gaming characters, to see what parents are calling their mini gamers. In order to do so, the team tracked search patterns over the past year for names pulled from IGDB's top 100 games, observing how often searches were made for terms such as "[name] baby name" or "is [name] a boy or girl name." The most popular name of the bunch was found to be Jade, after the plucky photojournalist protagonist from Ubisoft's cult classic Beyond Good & Evil. Courageous and determined, Jade, as a character, represents many qualities parents would wish for their little girl. Meanwhile, the name, which is pretty in its own right, means "precious stone", a sweet yet powerful moniker for any newborn. The original game launched in 2003, but the long wait for the sequel kept Jade relevant among loyal gamers, and the interest score of 89.72 is therefore unsurprising. Following in at 84.91 points is Max, as in the photography student from storytelling-driven game Life is Strange, with the ability to manipulate time. Another punchy and potentially unisex choice, the flexibility of this name mirrors suits current preferences among parents for names that work for boys or girls. The character of Max, short for Maxine in this instance, is known to be a compassionate, intelligent character who becomes more decisive as she grows in self-confidence. The third choice on the list was Arthur, after cool-headed, resourceful outlaw Arthur Morgan, from Red Dead Redemption 2. A classic name which means "bear" or "noble," masculine Arthur has been given a cool Wild West twist thanks to this intriguing game. A game beloved for its complexity, Arthur's depth and interesting redemption arc appeals to many gamers on a more profound level. A mix of classic and contemporary can be found in the rest of the top 10: Lee from Telltale's The Walking Dead (81.75) and Isaac from Dead Space (80.23) are both strong masculine choices, while Faith from Mirror's Edge (78.91) may appeal to those looking for spiritual meaning. Apollo from Ace Attorney (78.66) has deep mythological roots, while Chloe from Uncharted (78.55) and Claire from Resident Evil (77.60) are both chic and solid feminine options which stand the test of time. In what may come as a surprise to some, Link from The Legend of Zelda, one of the most famous gaming characters, only just makes the top 10 with 77.38 points, suggesting a preference for more subtle nods to gaming heroes. Serge Eliseeff, CEO of Online Free Games, said: " Gaming has grown – and continues to grow – to be such a big part of modern culture, it's part of who we are. The characters we connect with through hundreds of gameplay hours become meaningful to us, so it makes perfect sense that their names would top the list when parents are brainstorming baby names." Interestingly, experts have spotted differences in how gaming parents approach boys' and girls' names. The boys' list features a mix of classic names such as Arthur, Lee, and Isaac, with some more obvious references to gaming, like Link and Cloud. A number of these male characters possess qualities such as strength and a protective nature, and may go through complex character development. Girls' names here tend to reflect strong female protagonists who are in control of their own narratives. Again, Zelda ranks lowest on the girls' list, suggesting a preference for more contemporary heroines. Overall, there were higher interest scores for female character names, indicating that parents are more comfortable using gaming-inspired names for daughters than sons. Eliseeff commented: "What we're seeing here is the natural evolution of how culture shapes our most personal choices. Parents have always named children after heroes – it's just that today's heroes are more likely to be virtual. Most game characters have complex stories and personalities that resonate deeply with players after hundreds of hours of interactive storytelling. "The popularity of names like Jade and Arthur shows that parents are looking for names with substance and meaning. They're choosing characters known for their courage, resilience, and moral complexity – qualities any parent would want their child to embody. It's fascinating to see how the lines between virtual worlds and real life continue to blur, with video games now influencing one of the most significant decisions a parent can make." Top boys names 1 Arthur 82.91 Red Dead Redemption 2 2 Lee 81.75 The Walking Dead 3 Isaac 80.23 Dead Space 4 Apollo 78.66 Ace Attorney 5 Link 77.38 The Legend of Zelda 6 Cloud 75.30 Final Fantasy VII 7 Joel 75.04 The Last of Us 8 Leon 68.83 Resident Evil 9 Nathan 67.60 Uncharted Top girls names 1 Jade 89.72 Beyond Good & Evil 2 Max 84.91 Life is Strange 3 Faith 78.91 Mirror's Edge 4 Chloe 78.55 Uncharted 5 Claire 77.60 Resident Evil 6 Emily 72.36 Dishonored 2 7 Ellie 67.19 The Last of Us 8 Maya 61.21 Ace Attorney 9 Lara 50.83 Tomb Raider 10 Zelda 29.81 The Legend of Zelda
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Most popular video game-inspired baby names of 2025 revealed
Baby name books may no longer rule supreme with parents turning to the gaming universe for inspiration From much-loved names passed down through generations to titles inspired by a romantic trip you took with your partner before falling pregnant, there are many instances in life that contribute to what we name our child. However, an expert has revealed that traditional baby names in video game characters are inspiring parents worldwide, meaning our penchant for the digital world is actually influencing some of the biggest choices we make in real life. Remember frantically choosing a name for your Skyrim character or Sims family? Now parents are facing that same excitement - and pressure - when naming actual humans. "Gaming is such a big part of modern culture, it's part of who we are," Serge Eliseeff, CEO of Online Free Games, explained. "The characters we connect with through hundreds of gameplay hours become meaningful to us. So it makes perfect sense that their names would top the list when parents are brainstorming baby names." To see which video game names are trending in nurseries, Online Free Games analysed global Google searches for baby name queries related to famous gaming characters. They tracked search patterns over the past year for names from IGDB's top 100 games, looking at how often people searched things like '[name] baby name' or 'is [name] a boy or girl name.' So, from badass heroines to legendary outlaws, read on to see the video game character names parents are hitting "select" on for their little players. Topping the list is Jade, the protagonist from Ubisoft's cult classic Beyond Good & Evil. As a photojournalist fighting against alien conspiracies, Jade represents courage and determination. The name, meaning ' precious stone,' bridges traditional appeal with gaming cool factor. Though the original game came out in 2003, anticipation for the long-awaited sequel has kept Jade relevant in gaming culture. The name's somewhat gender-neutral sound and short, punchy style fits modern naming trends, while still honouring gaming history. Coming in second is Max, the time-rewinding photography student from Life is Strange. This choice highlights the growing preference for shorter, unisex names that work across gender lines. Max (short for Maxine in the game) represents a character known for compassion and complex decision-making. The name's gender flexibility mirrors current naming trends, with parents increasingly choosing names that work for any gender. Life is Strange's likely resonates with millennial and Gen Z parents who grew up gaming. Rounding out the top three is Arthur, after Arthur Morgan, the rugged outlaw with a heart of gold from Red Dead Redemption 2. Classic names can clearly get a popularity boost when connected to compelling modern characters. Arthur, meaning 'bear' or 'noble,' delivers traditional masculinity with a touch of cowboy cool. The character's redemption arc and moral complexity make him more than just a typical video game protagonist, giving the name depth and resonance for parents who appreciate nuanced storytelling alongside Western aesthetics. The rest of the top 10 features a balanced mix of classic and contemporary names. Lee from Telltale's The Walking Dead and Isaac from the horror series Dead Space represent strong male options. Meanwhile, Faith from Mirror's Edge offers spiritual meaning alongside gaming cred. Apollo from Ace Attorney brings mythological weight, while Chloe from Uncharted and Claire from Resident Evil represent timeless female options. Surprisingly, the iconic Link from The Legend of Zelda barely makes the top 10, suggesting parents may prefer names that blend more easily into traditional naming conventions. "What we're seeing here is the natural evolution of how culture shapes our most personal choices," Serge went on. "Parents have always named children after heroes – it's just that today's heroes are more likely to be virtual. "The popularity of names like Jade and Arthur shows that parents are looking for names with substance and meaning. They're choosing characters known for their courage, resilience, and moral complexity – qualities any parent would want their child to embody. "It's fascinating to see how the lines between virtual worlds and real life continue to blur, with video games now influencing one of the most significant decisions a parent can make." Top 10 most searched baby names inspired by video games Rank Name Interest Over Time (avg, total) Gender 1 Jade 89.72 Beyond Good & Evil Female 2 Max 84.91 Life is Strange Female 3 Arthur 82.91 Red Dead Redemption 2 Male 4 Lee 81.75 The Walking Dead Male 5 Isaac 80.23 Dead Space Male 6 Faith 78.91 Mirror's Edge Female 7 Apollo 78.66 Ace Attorney Male 8 Chloe 78.55 Uncharted Female 9 Claire 77.60 Resident Evil Female 10 Link 77.38 The Legend of Zelda Male Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. 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