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
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