The Impact of the Knicks’ Championship on Baby Naming Trends

Baby-naming trends may shift significantly following the New York Knicks’ recent N.B.A. championship win. Experts in baby-naming suggest a rise in popularity for the names of Knicks players due to their historic victory.

Jalen Brunson, a standout player for the team, is expected to influence baby name choices. Names like Jalen, Joshua, Miles, and Tyler rank among the top 1,000 boy names, with Landry gaining traction, according to Social Security Administration data.

Pamela Redmond, CEO of the baby-naming website Nameberry, predicts a surge in these names. She attributes this to the team’s success and the strong community support elicited by their win. She notes that the sense of community has become particularly valuable in today’s society.

Brunson, the team’s captain and N.B.A. finals MVP, may become a highly influential figure in baby naming, similar to Michael Jordan. Redmond mentions that in 2025, nine baby boys were named Brunson.

The NYC Health Department reported only five city babies named Jalen since March 1, but they foresee an increase. The potential for girls receiving variations of Jalen’s name is also anticipated, though some humorous variations like ‘Brunsina’ are not expected to catch on.