Pokemon Go has become a worldwide craze, and now it’s taking the parenting world by storm. That’s right – new moms and dads are actually naming their kids after the video game’s characters.
According to Baby Center, nearly 50 per cent of its users play Pokemon Go and have thus turned to the game for baby name inspiration.
Interestingly, the names parents are choosing aren’t as bad as you think. In fact, Pikachu isn’t in the Baby Center database at all (thank goodness). Instead, new moms and dads seem to veer towards sweet and only slightly quirky monikers from the video game.
The top Pokemon Go name for girls, for instance, is Roselia, which has risen 5,859 spots compared to last year. In case you’re wondering, Roselia is a thorn species of Pokemon often pictured with a red rose in its right hand and a blue rose in its left.
As for boys, many parents are choosing the name of the game’s most famous Pokemon trainer: Ash. This name rose 248 spots in the past year.
Flip through the slideshow below to see the most popular Pokemon Go baby names, according to Baby Center.
Most Popular Pokemon Go Baby Names
Pop culture has always had a huge impact on baby names. In the past few years, we’ve seen unique trends sparked by shows like “Game of Thrones,” movies like “Star Wars” and even social media, such as Instagram filters.
“Parents are always looking to pop culture for baby name inspiration and, right now, it doesn't get hotter than Pokemon Go,” Baby Center’s global editor-in-chief, Linda Murray, explained. “It's possible that parents' enthusiasm for the game will reignite their love for the brand and spark a full-fledged naming trend.”
Pokemon Go names really shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, Pokemon has been around for the past 20 years, and many who grew up playing the game or watching the show now have children of their own. So naturally, passing on the Pokemon love to their kids makes sense.
So the next time you meet a baby Bulbasaur or Jigglypuff, try not to look surprised.