Experts warn against ‘alarming’ baby name trend ‘glamorising violence’

Parents hunting for creative baby names may miss the mark with these.

There’s a surge in “aggressive,” “gun-inspired” names for boys, claims Nameberry editor-in-chief Sophie Kihm, with names like Wesson, Caliber, Shooter and Trigger popping up in recent years.

“It’s rare for me to completely reject a name or name trend, but I can’t hide behind names inspired by guns,” Kihm told HuffPost, saying they “glamourize violence.”

Names such as Colt, Ruger, Winchester, Remington, Blade and Cannon are names that have been in circulation in recent years, according to HuffPost, which cited data from the Social Security Administration.

“That initial wave of names borrowed from gun manufacturers may have peaked, but we’re still hearing a lot of choices in this category,” Abby Sandel, founder of the blog Appellation Mountain, told the paper.

“The most popular names are now a little more subtle. Archer once referred to a soldier who fought with a bow, but it sounds prepared and polished in 2025. Likewise, Barrett is a sophisticated surname that also happens to be a firearms manufacturer.”

According to Kihm, parents who choose these names may think the names are associated with desirable traits they want to impart on their children.

“There is a group of parents who believe that gun-inspired names have a renegade spirit, which has been a growing theme among today’s trendy baby names,” Kihm explained.

“Maverick ranks higher than ever, and cowboy-style names like Dutton, Stetson and Boone are climbing the charts.”

Gun-inspired or gun-related names can “convey masculinity without being traditional male names,” she continued.

“They are both unmistakably masculine and extremely modern,” she said. “We associate guns with men and masculinity, so these parents may have more conservative values ​​around gender.”

Jennifer Moss, founder of BabyNames.com, told HuffPost that names “may be a reaction to the fear that their son may have less-than-masculine traits.” Parents who use these designations “traditionally associated with aggression or strength” may therefore “hope to instill those characteristics in their male offspring”.

“I find gun names particularly alarming because it’s associating your child with an instrument of destruction or death — or at least a word associated with violence,” Moss continued.

Not to mention, there’s the “stylish” trend of “adjectives as nouns,” Kihm added.

“Adjectives known as first names include Carter, Parker and Hunter – somewhat aggressive themselves – matching gun names such as Shooter, Trigger and Dagger, with two syllables and ‘er’ endings,” she said.

While not all names that can be associated with guns have such a heavy connotation, Sandel offered, explaining that Remington or Archer are milder compared to Gatlin or Gunner, while Beretta “crosses the line.”

“Another reason not to use a name with an immediately identifiable meaning is that it can become a joke,” Moss warned. “People’s first response might be to laugh at it, or assume that you belong to a particular culture that favors guns or violence. It comes with baggage.”

She also reminded parents to wait to vet names carefully before settling on one.

“We recommend that when choosing baby names, you check your personal fears and biases before you put them into your baby’s name,” she said.

“As most parents understand, our expectations for our child do not necessarily match the child’s individual identity. Give your child a name that evokes positivity, that will grow with them and they can make their own rather than conform to your expectations.”