BabyCenter Reveals Top Baby Names for 2026 and Predicts 2027 Trends

Olivia and Noah lead the most popular baby names in the United States for 2026, according to BabyCenter data published October 20. The rankings draw on names submitted by families using the organization's app, while forecasts for 2027 point to growing interest in Greek mythology, Western-inspired names, vintage choices, and nature-themed options.

BabyCenter said its rankings use its "proprietary name data, sourced from more than 350,000 babies born in 2026 to parents registered on the BabyCenter app." The organization added that "submitted in real time, BabyCenter can spot emerging trends before the Social Security Administration releases its annual list."

The 2026 rankings place Olivia first among girls' names, followed by Eliana, Amelia, Charlotte, Sophia, Isabella, Emma, Aurora, Evelyn, and Mia. Noah tops the boys' list, ahead of Liam, Oliver, Elijah, Mateo, Lucas, Elias, Levi, Ezra, and Leo.

Elias reached the boys' top 10 for the first time at No. 7, while Leo returned to the ranking after dropping out the previous year. Magnolia gained popularity among girls, while Stetson, Archer, Milo, and Dean advanced among boys. Dean entered the top 100 for the first time this century after declining from its peak in the 1950s and 1960s.

Some established names lost ground in 2026. Leah and Brooklyn declined among girls, while Christian and Ryan fell among boys. Taylor also dropped sharply for both genders, a trend BabyCenter described as "Taylor fatigue," citing cultural associations including Taylor Swift's wedding, Taylor Farms' lettuce recalls, and "even the Taylors Lautner having a baby, with the middle name Taylor."

For 2027, BabyCenter expects entertainment, historical references, and changing naming preferences to influence parents. Hockey-themed television dramas have helped bring names such as Garrett, Allie, Beau, and Jules into the conversation, while Western-inspired names continue gaining attention through shows such as Yellowstone.

Stetson climbed 46 places to No. 95, entering the top 100 for the first time. Walker, Callahan, Wilder, and Gunner are also gaining traction, according to BabyCenter's trend analysis.

Greek mythology and Mediterranean influences are another emerging category. BabyCenter identified Atlas, Orion, Troy, Ares, Evander, and Perseus as rising choices for boys, alongside Iris, Lydia, and Daphne for girls. The organization linked the trend to renewed interest in classical mythology and the blockbuster The Odyssey.

Vintage and television-inspired names are also attracting attention. Names associated with Gilmore Girls, including Lorelai, Rory, Christopher, Luke, and Dean, have experienced increased interest ahead of a newly announced documentary. Names containing the letter X, including Bexley, Alexandra, Xena, Ximena, Braxton, Knox, Daxton, Maximilian, and Jaxson, are also trending.

BabyCenter's Coffield described the broader shift toward historical and elaborate names in a statement about the coming year's preferences.

"The trends this year show parents are ready to dig into the archives with some modern appreciation for the ancient, the vintage, the classic. BabyCenter’s data shows names from the Greek mythos and the Wild West are conquering the Gen Beta baby name frontier. And these names are getting more elaborate by statistically using more letters as parents maximize and embrace longer names." Coffield said.

A separate forecast published by New York Family on October 16 highlighted 25 names that could gain popularity in 2027, drawing on predictions from Nameberry. The selections include Romi, Kyomi, and other names ending in -omi, alongside celestial choices such as Ailany and Elara.

Nature-inspired options include Coast and Cove, while Scottie, Winifred, Goldie, and Archie reflect renewed interest in vintage names and nickname-style choices. Other candidates include Caius, Odessa, Vienna, Evren, Soren, Florence, Banks, Rhodes, Jude, Pallas, and Callum.

Sports and international culture also feature in the forecast. Enzo is associated with Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández, while Lamine references Spanish soccer star Lamine Yamal. Jude reflects interest in England's Jude Bellingham, and the mythology-inspired Pallas aligns with the renewed attention surrounding The Odyssey.

BabyCenter also expects longer names to remain popular, with girls' names beginning with E and boys' names beginning with J continuing to attract interest in 2027. The separate Nameberry forecast adds gender-neutral, destination-inspired, celestial, and classical names to the range of possibilities for the coming year.