Once Upon a Name: Disney’s Enchantment on Baby Naming Trends

Baby name trends are often influenced by a variety of pop culture elements, from music and television to literature and movies. One of the most fascinating influences on these trends is Disney, whose beloved characters and stories have left an indelible mark on generations of children and parents alike. A recent analysis by BeenVerified.com of the Social Security Administration’s baby names data set examined how Disney characters have impacted baby naming trends in the US, revealing some surprising and enchanting results.

The analysis of name growth since 1980 revealed that most of the nearly 90,000 names showed minimal changes compared to the average of the previous five years. Specifically, names saw an increase of more than 100% in popularity (or doubling) only 3.5% of the time.

However, in years when a Disney film ranked in the top 50 at the box office, the likelihood of a name from that film at least doubling in popularity was significantly higher, occurring 5.9% of the time. This rate is almost double that of the comprehensive name list. When comparing the popularity of names from top Disney films during their peak years to their popularity in other years, the likelihood of these names at least doubling in popularity was nearly three times higher, highlighting Disney’s significant influence on baby naming choices.

The Most Influential Disney Names

The analysis highlighted the top ten Disney character names nationally, ranked by their percent change from the 5-year average. These names, drawn from beloved characters in animated Disney films, show the powerful impact of Disney’s storytelling on naming trends.

1. Merida (2012, Brave)

Merida is the strong-willed and adventurous princess from Disney’s “Brave.” Her story of courage and self-discovery has resonated with many, leading to a significant rise in the popularity of her name. Percent Change: 1150%

Examining the data longitudinally, the name was not very popular until “Brave” was released, with many years not having any children names Merida. However, once “Brave” was released, the name remained popular for several years afterwards, even being more popular in 2017 than 2013, but tapering off somewhat afterwards.

2. Koda (2003, Brother Bear)

Koda is the young and spirited bear cub from “Brother Bear.” Although the movie was not one of Disney’s highest rated films, it had a huge impact on the name Koda, especially in the years after the film’s release. His character’s innocence and playfulness might have made the name appealing to parents. Percent Change: 937%

There was a large spike (937%) in 2004, and although the popularity of the name declined until 2013, it remained more than double its 2003 level. However, since then, the name has increased exponentially in popularity such that it stood at more than four times its 2004 level by 2023.

3. Moana (2016, Moana)

Moana, the fearless Polynesian wayfinder from Disney’s “Moana,” embodies bravery and adventure. The name’s rise in popularity reflects the character’s impact on audiences. Percent Change: 488%

Naming trends for Moana exhibit a pattern that would be more expected of a one-time movie release. Before the release of “Moana” (2016), the name was not very popular, but was consistent in its prevalence. There was a sharp spike in the year the movie was released, and an even larger one afterwards.

4. Finnick (2016, Zootopia)

Finnick, the sly fennec fox from “Zootopia,” may not be the main character, but his unique and memorable name caught the attention of many parents. Percent Change: 408%

Finnick seems to have had a permanent boost in popularity due to the film. There was no presence of the name before 2012, but the name soared 408% in 2016, due to the movie’s March release date, and has remained elevated since.

5. Mirabel (2021, Encanto)

Mirabel, the optimistic and determined protagonist of “Encanto,” has inspired many with her story of family and self-acceptance. Percent Change: 271%

Mirabel exhibits an interesting trend in the period before the film’s release, as it steadily increases from the late 1990s until 2021. In 2022, there was a 271% increase over its 5-year average,, showing the effect that “Encanto” had on the name’s popularity. In 2023, there is a sharp decline, although it is unknown if this trend will continue.

6. Ariel (1989, The Little Mermaid)

Ariel, the adventurous mermaid princess from “The Little Mermaid,” has been a beloved character for decades, leading to a consistent rise in the popularity of her name. Percent Change: 253%

Ariel stands out among the other popular Disney character names in terms of its enduring popularity. The main character’s name saw a 253% increase in the year after the movie’s release, and grew by around 50% again in 1991. Although the Ariel’s popularity fell afterwards, it remained very popular, staying above its 1989 level until 2023, with ebbs and flows in its usage. This indicates that “The Little Mermaid” is unique as a Disney film in its enduring effect on pop culture and naming trends.

7. Flynn (2010, Tangled)

Flynn Rider, the charming and roguish hero from “Tangled,” has become a popular name choice for boys, reflecting his appeal as a character. Percent Change: 166%

Flynn has a unique trend that demonstrates the film’s enduring impact in the name’s popularity. The name’s prevalence was slowly rising until 2011, where it grew by 166% and increased again by more than 50% the following year. It remained popular throughout the 2010s, although decreasing somewhat, but experienced a short revival from 2018 until 2021. It has declined since, although it remains above its 2011 level, indicating the enduring effect of the film, or possibly other factors, on the name’s popularity.

8. Raya (2021, Raya and the Last Dragon)

Raya, the courageous warrior from “Raya and the Last Dragon,” has inspired many with her strength and determination. Percent Change: 161%

Raya has an interesting trend in that the name’s prevalence was steadily increasing until the movie’s release. Its frequency grew from 45 to 276 names from 1998 to 2020, respectively, but there was a 161% increase of the name’s usage in 2021 compared to the 5-year average. Since then, the name has continued to increase in popularity, and had a count of 862 in 2023, a huge growth since 2020. Although the name has steadily grown in popularity and continues to do so after the movie release, there is no guarantee that this trend will continue, and many factors could lead to its continued growth or eventual decline.

9. Camilo (2021, Encanto)

Camilo, the shape-shifting member of the Madrigal family in “Encanto,” has a unique name that has gained popularity following the film’s release. Percent Change: 142%

Camilo has a similar trend to Raya in that its commonality increased steadily until the release of the film. In the year of the film’s release, the name’s popularity increased by 142% and continued to increase in 2022, but declined somewhat last year. The increase in the prevalence of the name in the year before the film’s release could be due to the rising Latino population in the US over time. Going forward, the popularity of Camilo is uncertain, but “Encanto” along with a rising Latino population have raised the name to new heights.

10. Elsa (2013, Frozen)

Elsa, the ice queen with magical powers from “Frozen,” has become a household name, with parents naming their daughters after her ever since the film’s debut. Percent Change: 126%

The hit movie had a clear impact on Elsa’s popularity as a name. Like other names mentioned previously, it was increasing in popularity before the movie’s release, but at a slower rate than other names like Camilo. In 2014, name’s prevalence increased by 126% relative to its 5-year average; however, in the subsequent years, Elsa fell in popularity very quickly, and has steadily decreased since 2015 after a sharp drop off from its 2014 height. This could indicate the huge effect that movie had on pop culture, but that people quickly got tired of the film and moved on to other media.

The table below offers more details about the top ten names, as well as an additional four which were used for our state analysis.

Growth Year	Character	Film	Year Count	Avg count, previous 5 years	Percent growth
2013	Merida	Brave	110	9	1150%
2004	Koda	Brother Bear	197	19	937%
2017	Moana	Moana	141	24	488%
2016	Finnick	Zootopia	150	30	408%
2022	Mirabel	Encanto	153	41	271%
1990	Ariel	The Little Mermaid	4015	1137	253%
2011	Flynn	Tangled	226	85	166%
2021	Raya	Raya and the Last Dragon	635	243	161%
2022	Camilo	Encanto	682	282	142%
2014	Elsa	Frozen	1140	504	126%
1990	Sebastian	The Little Mermaid	790	371	113%
2005	Violet	The Incredibles	846	413	105%
1997	Esmeralda	The Hunchback of Notre Dame	1400	695	101%
2010	Tiana	The Princess and the Frog	970	572	70%

The Top Disney-Influenced States

The analysis also identified the states most influenced by Disney names, based on the number of babies given one of the top 14 Disney names per 100,000 births during the films’ peak years. These states exhibit a notable preference for Disney-inspired names, illustrating the cultural impact of Disney characters nationwide. The median value across the 14 character names determines each state’s Disney score. The top 10 Disney-influenced states are:

Rank	State	Score
1	Nevada	39.9
2	Arizona	25.9
3	Washington	21.9
4	Oregon	21.7
5	Illinois	21.6
6	California	21.5
7	Colorado	20.5
8	Utah	19.1
9	New York	18.3
10	Texas	17.8

Each state’s bullet list highlights the best-performing names, including the state’s rank for each name. This data underscores the widespread and varied influence of Disney’s characters on baby naming choices across different regions.

Though not in the top 10 overall states, many states achieved top rankings for individual Disney characters, revealing regional preferences. For instance, Montana, known for its vast natural landscapes, ranked #1 for Koda, a bear character. Hawaii, with its strong connection to the ocean, ranked #1 for both Ariel and Moana, characters associated with life in or on the water. Louisiana, with its rich cultural heritage in New Orleans, ranked #1 for Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, a story set in “The Big Easy.” Below are the top 10 states for each of the top Disney names:

The analysis of the SSA’s baby names data set has revealed the profound impact of Disney characters on baby naming trends in the US. From the classic names inspired by characters like Ariel and Flynn to the more recent influences of Mirabel and Moana, Disney continues to shape cultural practices and inspire parents in their naming choices. Additionally, states from the west to the east to the south all show a particularly strong influence, demonstrating the widespread appeal of Disney’s magical storytelling. As Disney continues to create new stories and characters, it will be fascinating to see how these trends evolve and continue to enchant future generations.

Methodology

For each year and name in the SSA dataset, a percent-change metric was calculated by dividing the count for that year by the average count from the previous five years. For example, for John in 2022, the count of Johns in 2022 was divided by the average count of Johns from 2017 to 2021. This percent change from the 5-year average served as the basis for ranking the names.

The Disney names analyzed were limited to characters from animated Disney films that made it into the top 50 films for domestic box office revenue since 1980, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com. The top rankings focused on the years the associated film was released or the year following. States were ranked based on the median per capita births for each of these names.