Every year, certain first names stand out… and 2025 is no exception.
From short, international, and timeless names, the trends reflect a genuine desire for simplicity and gentleness.
Whether you’re in Belgium, France, or elsewhere, you’ll find common themes… with a few surprises depending on the country.

🇧🇪 Belgium: Soft, International First Names
Noah, Liam, Lucas, Arthur, Louis, Jules, Adam, Hugo, Gabriel, Oscar
In Belgium, short first names are by far the most popular. Easy to pronounce in many languages, they are appealing to more and more parents.

🇫🇷 France: The Return of the Classics
Gabriel, Léo, Raphaël, Louis, Arthur, Jules, Adam, Maël, Noah, Lucas
Traditional first names are making a strong comeback, often with a modern twist.

🇳🇱 Netherlands: Minimalism and Modernity
Noah, Lucas, Daan, Levi, Liam, Sem, Finn, Milan, Luuk, James
Short, punchy names reign supreme, with a strong international influence.

🇩🇪 Germany: simplicity and elegance
Noah, Matteo, Elias, Finn, Leon, Paul, Emil, Luca, Henry, Theo
A trend toward soft, timeless European names.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Tradition and Diversity
Noah, Oliver, George, Arthur, Muhammad, Leo, Harry, Oscar, Archie, Henry
British classics coexist with names from all over the world.

🇺🇸 United States: Global Influence
Liam, Noah, Oliver, James, Elijah, Mateo, Theodore, Henry, Lucas, William
A true cultural diversity that strongly influences trends.

🇮🇹 Italy: charm and musicality
Leonardo, Francesco, Tommaso, Edoardo, Alessandro, Lorenzo, Mattia, Riccardo, Gabriele, Andrea
Long, elegant names that are deeply rooted in Italian identity.

🇪🇸 Spain: energy and character
Hugo, Mateo, Martín, Lucas, Leo, Daniel, Alejandro, Pablo, Manuel, Álvaro
Dynamic and warm first names.

🇨🇭 Switzerland: A Unique Cultural Blend
Noah, Liam, Matteo, Gabriel, Luca, Leo, Elias, Louis, Finn, Jonas
A perfect blend of French, German, and Italian influences.
What trends should we watch for in 2025?
- Short names dominate
- International names are popular
- Classics are making a comeback
But above all: every name tells a unique story.
What if their name became an adventure?
At ZebraBook, every child becomes the hero of their own book.
Their name is at the heart of the story, for a magical… and unforgettable reading experience.
Because a book where a child recognizes their name is no longer just a story… it’s THEIR story.
