14 baby names that are so 2014

It’s one of the toughest decisions you’ll ever make. So luckily, we’ve got a brand-new list…

Goodbye, North. Fare thee well, Jaxx: 2014 has arrived, bringing with it a slew of fresh new names for expectant parents to add to their shortlists this year.

While solid choices like Charlotte and William are still likely to top the baby name charts, trends suggest 2014 will see parents adapting new city names, surnames, literary characters and names from ancient worlds for their kids. However, if parents-to-be really want to capture the essence of 2014, they could just let the internet name their child for them.

You think we're kidding, but Canadian dad Stephen McLaughlin has set up NameMyDaughter.com to allow perfect strangers to have a say in his unborn daughter's first and middle names.

In a completely unsurprising development, Cthulhu All-Spark McLaughlin is currently topping the poll, with Megatron also featuring highly (it is the internet, after all), but the less bizarre-sounding Amelia Mae and Charlotte Rose are currently sitting in second and third place.

Thankfully for Stephen's daughter, mummy and daddy will have the final say. "Unfortunately internet I know better than to trust you," he writes. "Alas my daughter shall not be named WackyTaco692." Phew.

If you'd rather choose the name yourself, here are some of the newer names popping up in Australia and abroad:

1. Arcadia

A Greek girls' name, referencing the Greek region of Arcady. If you like shortening names, Cady could make a cute nickname.

2. Costello

Following in the trend of using surnames as first names, this Irish moniker has several meanings, including "resembling a deer". Good thing deer are so cute.

3. Adelynn

Adelynn is a French name that means “noble", and a fresh twist on Adeline.

4. Cato

A Latin word meaning wise or intelligent. Sounds familiar? You may remember it from the Hunger Games, as Cato was a District 2 tribute in the first book of the series.

5. Isabelline

Isabella has raced up the charts in recent years (hat-tip to the Twilight series). Isabelline, the name of a creamy pale yellow colour and a medieval architectural style, is a fresh new take on the name.

6. Magnus

Magnus has Latin and Scandinavian origins, and means 'the great' or 'large'.

7. Aria

A Latin word meaning 'a beautiful melody'. Note: If you're a Game of Thrones fan, it's similar to the named carried by the kick-arse Stark daughter, Arya, whose spelling of the name is also rising in popularity.

8. Kipling 

Famous authors tend to yield influence over baby names, with Harper Lee giving rise to the popularity of 'Harper' over the past few years. Kipling is a reference to The Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling.

9. Justus

Justin is a relatively common boys' name, but its original form is starting to make a comeback. Justus, a name borne by several early saints, is Latin for - you guessed it - just, and upright.

10. Kordell

Following the ongoing trend of unisex names, the English name Kordell is also being used for girls.

11. Cabe

Not to be mistaken for Gabe, Cabe is the shortened form of Cabot or Cable.

12. Kaius 

Here's a happy name - Kaius, a derivative of the Latin Caius, means rejoice. The name has picked up recently, having featured as a minor character in the Twilight series. Celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe also named her second son Kaius Jagger at the end of last year, which will likely give it momentum.

13. Amerie

This is a fairly modern name, reminiscent of Amilie and Amelia. It's also the name of an American singer.

14. Brantley 

Brantley, an English name meaning 'proud', is moving its way up the US name charts. It closely resembles Bentley, another name growing in popularity.

Is it cruel to give your kid an unusual name, or are you doing them a favour by helping them stand out?