Alarming baby name trend on the rise as parents unwittingly inspired by true crime are giving newborns the same monikers as famous murderers
The explosion in true crime documentaries and dramas over recent years means the names of infamous murderers, scammers and thieves are fresh in our minds - and making their way into baby name lists.
According to BabyCentre UK, names linked to headline-grabbing criminal cases, true crime celebrities and viral scandals are trending, even if parents might not realise the origins of the names.
The pregnancy app has revealed that monikers like Freddie and Rose are increasingly popular, as well as names like Ted - unwittingly reminiscent of serial killers Fred and Rose West and Ted Bundy.
SJ Strum, BabyCentre UK's baby naming expert and author, said: 'These names aren't being chosen because of crime. More often, parents are unconsciously absorbing popular culture, and these names creep into our minds via gripping TV, podcasts and viral content.
'It's a fascinating lens on how culture shapes language and by extension, baby names.'
But the rise true crime-inspired baby name trends comes alongside an increase in classic, celestial and high society-inspired names emerging this year, BabyCentre UK added.
SJ Strum said: 'Names flow in and out of style, and popular culture plays a huge role in shaping the baby names we see rising. We often choose names in tune with what's happening in the world around us as we welcome our little ones. For example, Evie, the newest addition to Peppa Pig's family, is a perfect short and sweet vintage pick that's now soaring in popularity.
'We've also seen an uplift in names honouring the late Queen, like Eliza, Elsie, and Elizabeth. Royal-inspired names remain strong year-on-year: from Charlotte, Zara, and Mia, to George, Harry, William, Charlie, and Archie. Even Princess has seen a surprising comeback, as the nation rallied around Princess Kate during her recent cancer treatment.'
The top names linked to some of the most scandalous true crime figures in BabyCentre's top 100 baby names 2025 are:
Anna
Inspired by the 'Fake Heiress' Anna Delvey, a con artist who posed as a wealthy heiress in New York from 2013 to 2017.
She defrauded major financial institutions, banks, hotels, and individuals out of millions of dollars and was the subject of the 2022 hit Netflix series Inventing Anna.
Arthur
Inspired by Arthur Leigh Allen, the only named suspect in the shocking Zodiac Killer series of murders that took place between the late 1960s to 1980s.
He repeatedly denied the allegations and died in 1992, and the identity of the Zodiac Killer remains a mystery until today.
Last year, he was discussed in a three-part Netflix docuseries titled This is the Zodiac Speaking.
Bella
Inspired by Australian wellness scammer Belle Gibson, who falsely claimed she was diagnosed with brain cancer but had cured it with alternative therapies and healthy eating.
Having conned millions of Instagram followers into believing her story, Belle successfully launched a recipe app and cookbook and claimed she was donating most of her profits to charity.
The Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar tells the story of her rise and fall.
Erin
According to BabyCentre UK, the name 'Erin' has been unwittingly inspired by the high-profile murder case against Erin Patterson, an Australian woman who has been accused of cooking deadly mushrooms and feeding them to her relatives.
She was charged with the murders of her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, who all became sick and died days after she cooked them lunch. She denies the charges.
The trial continues.
If these two names together ring a bell, it may be because of the infamous English serial killers Fred and Rose West.
Together, the pair committed at least 12 murders of girls and young women between 1967 and 1987 - including Fred's stepdaughter, Charmaine.
Fred died by suicide while detained on remand, before he could be sentenced, while Rose was sentenced to 10 life terms with a whole life order.
They recently became the focus of Netflix series Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story.
Joseph
BabyCentre UK says the name 'Joseph' - while sounding innocuous enough - is a nod to Joe Exotic, the self-proclaimed 'Tiger King' who was the subject of a 2020 Netflix series of the same name.
He was suspected of hiring hit men to murder Carole Baskin, a rival to his big cat zoo business, and was convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison for animal abuse and attempted murder.
Luca
The name 'Luca' may be a variation of 'Luka', after Luka Magnotta of the viral true crime docuseries Don't F*** With Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer.
In 2010, Luka shared a video of himself cruelly killing two kittens, which sparked an online manhunt by amateur sleuths.
He went on to commit the grisly murder of a student from China named Jun Lin in 2012, for which he was convicted and sentenced to a mandatory life sentence and 19 years for other charges.
Teddy
The name brings to mind soft, cuddly bear toys, but BabyCentre UK believes 'Teddy' is also surprising spin on notorious serial killer Ted Bundy.
Bundy famously abducted, raped and murdered dozens of young women and girls between 1974 and 1978, and has been the subject of numerous true crime series and podcasts.
In 2019, he was portrayed by Zac Efron in the film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.
Ruby
Inspired by Ruby Franke, the subject of the viral documentary Devil in the Family which charted the vlogger's journey from creating content about her picturesque Mormon family to her imprisonment for child abuse.
She initially posted parenting content and videos of life with her husband and their six children, but after meeting a woman named Jodi Hildebrandt, things took a much darker turn.
Her daughter Shari Franke also recently wrote a book about their experience titled The House of My Mother.
Ronnie and Reggie
The names Ronnie and Reggie are particularly recognisable in the UK because of the Kray twins, Britain's most notorious gangsters.
Ronald Kray and Reginald Kray ran a gang called The Firm, based in Bethnal Green, from the late 1950s until their arrest in 1968.
They were involved in an array of crimes, including murder, armed robbery, arson, assault, and protection rackets.
Tom Hardy portrayed them both in the 2015 film Legend.
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