The Most Popular Baby Names of 2026, Plus the Trends Shaping 2027

One girl name shot up five spots and may soon claim the crown, while another is suffering from a serious case of fatigue. Here’s what parents are naming their babies right now.

BabyCenter just revealed its top names for 2026, and it seems last year’s picks are hard to beat. The names Noah and Olivia topped this year’s roster, which BabyCenter released on October 20.

The ranking is based on data collected from more than 350,000 babies born in 2026 to parents registered on BabyCenter’s app. Because names are submitted in real time, BabyCenter said it can detect emerging trends even before the Social Security Administration releases its official list.

The SSA’s rankings in 2025 had Liam and Olivia at the top, marking the seventh year in a row they’ve topped the list. Noah trailed closely at No. 2.

Here are BabyCenter’s top 10 names for 2026:

Girls: Olivia, Eliana, Amelia, Charlotte, Sophia, Isabella, Emma, Aurora, Evelyn, and Mia

Boys: Noah, Liam, Oliver, Elijah, Mateo, Lucas, Elias, Levi, Ezra, and Leo

The Names on the Rise

The name Eliana was the biggest surprise, jumping from No. 7 in 2025 to No. 2 on BabyCenter’s girls’ list. BabyCenter baby name advisor Steph Coffield described it as “Eliana’s meteoric rise,” adding that it could overtake Olivia next year if its momentum continues. The name’s rise was also evident when it entered the SSA’s top 10 for 2025.

As for boys’ names, a new addition to BabyCenter’s top 10 this year is Elias, taking the No. 7 spot. Leo made a comeback after dropping out of the list last year, and Dean slipped into the top 100 for the first time this century.

It’s also evident that names are getting longer, with about 29% of the top girl names and 31% of the top boy names having seven or more letters. “E” is the most popular first initial for girls, while “J” leads for boys.

Some longtime favorites slipped in popularity, including Leah and Brooklyn for girls and Christian and Ryan for boys. The unisex name Taylor also saw a sharp drop, which BabyCenter attributed to “Taylor fatigue.”

What’s Next for 2027

Pop culture is expected to shape next year’s names, according to BabyCenter. With hockey TV dramas on the rise, parents are already choosing names like Garrett, Allie, Beau, and Jules from Prime Video’s “Off Campus.” Western names inspired by shows like “Yellowstone” are also on the rise, led by Stetson, which jumped 46 spots, entering the top 100 for the first time at No. 95.

Names from Greek mythology are also having a moment, with Atlas, Orion, and Perseus becoming more common for boys and Iris, Lydia, and Daphne for girls. For “Gilmore Girls” fans, the names Lorelai, Rory, and Luke are gaining traction ahead of a newly announced documentary about the show. Edgier names with the letter X, like Knox and Ximena, are trending, too.

“The trends this year show parents are ready to dig into the archives with some modern appreciation for the ancient, the vintage, the classic,” Coffield said.