A ‘Jalen Invasion’ May Follow Knicks Victory

The excitement surrounding the New York Knicks’ recent N.B.A. championship win is anticipated to spark a baby-naming trend among fans who admire the team’s players. Experts predict a rise in names associated with the team, particularly ‘Jalen,’ following the performance of Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ captain and finals’ MVP.

According to data from the Social Security Administration, names like Jalen (Brunson), Joshua (Hart), Miles (McBride), and Tyler (Kolek) already hold popularity among the top 1,000 names for boys in the United States. Landry (Shamet) is also gaining traction. Pamela Redmond, CEO of Nameberry, suggests that the team’s success and the players’ appeal could amplify interest in these names further.

“I think what’s happened, not just New York but nationally, is that people are just galvanized by the show of community, which feels like something that’s increasingly important at a time when it’s increasingly rare,” said Redmond.

While the name ‘Jalen’ is widely known, a potential increase in its usage could parallel that of ‘Michael Jordan,’ which grew in popularity due to the basketball legend. Redmond notes that Brunson’s first and last names might become common choices for newborns.

In 2025, there were nine newborn boys named Brunson. NYC Healthy, the city Health Department’s account on X, reported only five city babies named Jalen since March 1 but forecasted more. Redmond also anticipates variations of the name for girls, though she humorously advises against ‘Brunsina.’

Parents seem drawn to names embodying the spirit of the team’s victory, highlighted by communal support. This trend in baby names reflects the broader cultural influence of sports heroes and their achievements.