‘Barbie’ and ‘Ken’ Gain Popularity in Baby Name Searches Amid Film’s Triumph
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What’s up with the surge in interest for ‘Barbie’ and ‘Ken’ names
Ever since the release of the billion-dollar cinematic extravaganza directed by Greta Gerwig and featuring the dynamic duo of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, online searches linked to the movie have experienced a meteoric rise. The film, which debuted on July 21, has triggered a surge in curiosity around the names “Barbie” and “Ken.”
Recent data from a prominent baby naming website reveals a staggering 603% spike in searches for the name “Barbie” following the film’s initial trailer launch in April. Simultaneously, the moniker “Ken” has witnessed a substantial 293% surge in page views.
Despite the heightened interest, Sophie Kihm, the Editor-in-Chief of Nameberry, offers insights into this trend. She explains, “Barbie and Ken are captivating parents’ attention, but this doesn’t necessarily imply an upswing in actual usage. Currently, Barbie primarily resonates within the Amish community.”
Kihm postulates that while the movie may have kindled interest, sustained adoption of these names might not be as prevalent in the coming months. “Barbie and Ken are names from bygone eras and aren’t poised for a revival yet. While there could be a slight influence from the film, it’s unlikely that either name will dominate the roster of popular baby names in 2023.”
Due to the release of the #BarbieMovie, the Baby Names website has seen a 300% increase in searching “Barbie” as a baby name and a 200% increase in searching “Ken” as a baby name.
🔗: https://t.co/vdoObyNfgc pic.twitter.com/moQcF57sNd
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 7, 2023
According to the website’s ranking, Barbie holds the 1,896th position among the top 2,000 names anticipated for 2023. Meanwhile, the full name “Kenneth,” from which “Ken” is derived, secures the 113th slot within the same ranking.
Barbie’s phenomenal box office success has propelled it to record-breaking feats, including becoming Warner Bros. Pictures’ highest-grossing Monday release ever, following a domestic opening weekend earnings of $155 million. Notably, it also marked the most successful opening weekend for a film helmed by a female director in the industry.
The film’s triumph has catalyzed Mattel, the company behind the iconic Barbie brand, to expand its cinematic universe. Plans are underway to bring 14 additional Mattel properties to life on the silver screen. These ventures include a Polly Pocket movie directed by Lena Dunham and starring Lily Collins, a Hot Wheels film produced by J.J. Abrams, a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots movie featuring Vin Diesel, a Barney film led by Daniel Kaluuya, and a Major Matt Mason film headlined by Tom Hanks. The success of ‘Barbie’ seems to be the catalyst for a new era of silver screen adaptations, breathing life into beloved childhood memories.
