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
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