Skip to content
Name Directory
2026 Trends

trending baby names

397 names rising in popularity across 11 trend categories. Each name links to a detailed profile with meaning, origin, and popularity data.

Romantasy Revival

Inspired by fantasy literature, mythos, and epic romance. These names feel powerful, ancient, and slightly otherworldly. They belong to heroes and heroines of epic sagas.

Rowan

#59

rowan tree, little red one

unisexIrish

Gael

#86

speaker of Gaelic; Celtic peoples

unisexCeltic

Amara

#98

eternal, grace, immortal

girlAfrican

Aurelia

#290

golden

girlLatin

Orion

#334

rising in the sky, hunter

boyGreek

Briar

#400

thorny shrub, bramble

unisexEnglish

Lyra

#435

lyre, constellation

girlEnglish

Sylas

#440

of the forest, wood-dweller

boyLatin

Lucian

#462

light

boyLatin

Soren

#464

stern, severe, thunder god

boyNorse

Cassian

#479

hollow, empty; of Cassius

boyLatin

Dorian

#539

of the Dorian people, gift

boyGreek

Seraphina

#600

burning ones, fiery angels

girlAfrican

Evander

#698

good man, bow warrior

boyGreek

Darius

#788

possessing goodness, kingly

boyPersian

Mael

#972

chief, prince

boyCeltic

Aeron

battle, slaughter

unisexWelsh

Aethelthryth

noble strength

girlEnglish

Alearis

unknown, possibly 'winged' or invented

girlEnglish

Bastian

venerable, from Sebastia

boyGreek

Caelen

slender or narrow one

boyCeltic

Ceryss

love; cherry blossom

girlWelsh

Cypress

cypress tree

unisexGreek

Elaria

cheerful, bright

girlLatin

Elspeth

my God is an oath

girlScottish

Fendrel

invented fantasy name, meaning unclear

boyEnglish

Finnick

invented literary name, fair one

boyEnglish

Galen

calm; healer; one who is tranquil

boyGreek

Ignis

fire

boyLatin

Ilyana

bright, shining; light of the sun

girlSlavic

Jorien

Dutch form of Joris; farmer; earth worker

unisexDutch

Kaela

invented name; possibly slender or fair

girlEnglish

Kaelen

invented fantasy name; slender warrior

boyIrish

Kaelia

invented name; variant of Caelia or Kayla

girlLatin

Lirael

daughter of the Clayr

girlEnglish

Lysander

liberator, one who frees

boyGreek

Morwenna

maiden, young woman; sea waves

girlWelsh

Nyx

night

girlGreek

Orian

Light, or variant of the hunter Orion

unisexHebrew

Phyre

Fire (stylized fantasy spelling)

girlEnglish

Prythian

Fictional continent name (literary origin)

unisexWelsh

Rhysand

Fictional name, derived from Welsh Rhys (ardor)

boyWelsh

Thalassa

sea, ocean

girlGreek

Theron

hunter

boyGreek

Thorne

thorny bush, thorn tree

boyEnglish

Valerian

strength, health, from Valeria

boyLatin

Vesper

evening star, evening prayer

girlLatin

Xaden

unknown; likely invented

boyEnglish

Zephyr

west wind

unisexGreek

Zinnea

zinnia flower

girlLatin

Vintage Comeback

The '100-year rule' in full effect. These are sturdy, classic, and charming old-fashioned names that have shaken off the dust to feel fresh and sophisticated for a new generation.

Henry

#5

ruler of the home

boyGerman

Evelyn

#8

wished for child, life

girlEnglish

Eleanor

#12

bright, shining one

girlFrench

Elias

#13

my God is Yahweh

boyGreek

Hazel

#21

hazel tree, light brown

girlEnglish

Miles

#44

soldier; also gracious

boyLatin

Josephine

#53

God will increase

girlFrench

Iris

#61

rainbow

girlGreek

Silas

#71

wood, forest

boyLatin

Maeve

#76

she who intoxicates

girlIrish

Arthur

#87

bear, noble, courageous

boyCeltic

Cora

#113

maiden

girlGreek

Esther

#119

star; hidden

girlHebrew

George

#126

farmer; tiller of the earth

boyGreek

Olive

#197

Olive tree, symbol of peace

girlLatin

Mabel

#201

lovable, dear

girlLatin

Vera

#205

faith, truth

girlRussian

Ada

#219

island, noble, decoration

girlTurkish

Lucille

#239

light, bright one

girlFrench

Harvey

#251

battle worthy; strong and ardent

boyFrench

Rosemary

#251

Dew of the sea, or rose and Mary

girlLatin

Otto

#277

Wealth, prosperity, or fortune

boyGerman

Frances

#318

free one from France

girlLatin

Matilda

#365

mighty in battle

girlGerman

Desmond

#376

from south Munster

boyIrish

Florence

#391

flourishing, prosperous

girlLatin

Opal

#423

Precious gemstone, jewel

girlSanskrit

Julius

#424

youthful; of the Julian family

boyLatin

Frederick

#435

peaceful ruler of great power

boyGerman

Clementine

#456

mild, merciful

girlFrench

Edith

#499

prosperous in war

girlEnglish

Beatrice

#508

she who brings happiness

girlLatin

Bruce

#536

from the brushwood thicket

boyFrench

Albert

#614

noble, bright

boyGerman

Leonard

#637

brave as a lion

boyGerman

Lionel

#659

little lion

boyFrench

Louisa

#697

renowned warrior

girlGerman

Hugh

#732

mind, intellect, spirit

boyGerman

Cordelia

#981

heart, daughter of the sea

girlCeltic

Agnes

pure, holy, chaste

girlGreek

Bernard

brave bear

boyGerman

Cecil

blind; sixth

boyLatin

Clifford

ford near a cliff

boyEnglish

Dorothea

gift of God

girlGreek

Edmund

wealthy protector

boyEnglish

Enid

soul, life force

girlWelsh

Harriet

ruler of the home; estate ruler

girlFrench

Ida

hardworking; prosperous; labor

girlGerman

Phyllis

Green bough or foliage

girlGreek

Ralph

Counsel wolf or wolf counsel

boyNorse

Vowel Hiatus

A major phonetic trend marked by names containing consecutive vowels (like io, ia, ea). These names have a fluid, melodic, and open sound that rolls easily off the tongue.

Liam

#1

strong-willed warrior, protector

boyIrish

Olivia

#1

olive tree, peace

girlLatin

Mia

#6

mine, beloved

girlItalian

Mateo

#8

gift of God

boySpanish

Eliana

#10

my God has answered

girlHebrew

Aria

#26

air, song, melody

girlItalian

Naomi

#47

pleasant, beautiful, my delight

girlHebrew

Thiago

#50

supplanter, one who follows

boyPortuguese

Isaiah

#57

God is salvation

boyHebrew

Ezekiel

#61

God will strengthen

boyHebrew

Silas

#71

wood, forest

boyLatin

Theo

#82

divine gift

boyGreek

Sienna

#94

reddish-brown, from Siena

girlItalian

Milo

#119

soldier, merciful

boyGerman

Emilio

#154

rival, industrious, striving

boySpanish

Kaia

#193

earth; pure; key

girlGreek

Alora

#195

my dream, dream-like

girlAfrican

Noa

#226

movement, motion

girlHebrew

Talia

#265

dew of heaven, blooming

girlHebrew

Koa

#269

brave, bold, fearless warrior

boyHawaiian

Juliet

#274

youthful; small Julia

girlFrench

Gia

#287

God is gracious; short form of Gianna

girlItalian

Leia

#297

weary; also associated with meadow or child of heaven

girlHebrew

Romeo

#302

Pilgrim to Rome, or citizen of Rome

boyItalian

Octavia

#308

eighth

girlEnglish

Elodie

#310

foreign riches, marsh flower

girlFrench

Orion

#334

rising in the sky, hunter

boyGreek

Elio

#388

sun

boyItalian

Kylo

#402

invented Star Wars name; possibly sky

boyEnglish

Leona

#429

lioness

girlLatin

Maia

#433

great one, mother goddess

girlGreek

Dorian

#539

of the Dorian people, gift

boyGreek

Cleo

#577

glory, pride

girlGreek

Alia

#587

exalted, sublime

girlArabic

Aurelio

#681

golden, gilded

boyItalian

Nola

#822

famous, noble; white shoulder

girlIrish

Aviana

#887

bird, life

girlLatin

Lucien

#899

light, born of light

boyFrench

Amadeo

love of God

boyItalian

Celian

heavenly, of the sky

boyLatin

Eulalia

sweetly speaking, well-spoken

girlGreek

Eviana

life, gracious gift

girlHebrew

Ilias

my God is Yahweh; the Lord is my God

boyGreek

Iona

island; gem; violet-colored jewel

girlScottish

Linnea

lime or linden tree

girlNorse

Novalia

new land, newly tilled field

girlLatin

Phineas

Oracle, serpent's mouth, or Nubian

boyHebrew

Pia

Pious, devout, or reverent

girlLatin

Simeon

he who hears, God has heard

boyHebrew

Zoa

life, living being

girlGreek

Wild Nature

Moving beyond Rose and Lily to more rugged, untamed, or celestial natural elements. These names evoke forests, rivers, mountains, and the sky.

Aurora

#15

dawn

girlLatin

Hazel

#21

hazel tree, light brown

girlEnglish

Luna

#27

moon

girlLatin

Ivy

#39

ivy plant, fidelity

girlEnglish

Rowan

#59

rowan tree, little red one

unisexIrish

Daisy

#75

day's eye, the daisy flower

girlEnglish

Juniper

#100

juniper tree, evergreen

girlLatin

River

#111

flowing body of water

unisexEnglish

Magnolia

#124

Magnol's flower, magnificent bloom

girlLatin

Jasper

#129

treasurer, bringer of treasure

boyPersian

Ember

#154

smoldering remains of fire

girlEnglish

Olive

#197

Olive tree, symbol of peace

girlLatin

Aspen

#266

aspen tree, trembling tree

unisexEnglish

Meadow

#286

open grassland field

girlEnglish

Orion

#334

rising in the sky, hunter

boyGreek

Onyx

#365

black gemstone, claw

unisexGreek

Briar

#400

thorny shrub, bramble

unisexEnglish

Raven

#404

raven bird, dark-haired

unisexEnglish

Reed

#419

Red-haired, or one who lives by reeds

unisexEnglish

Clementine

#456

mild, merciful

girlFrench

Marigold

#590

Mary's gold, golden flower

girlEnglish

Flora

#607

flower; Roman goddess of spring

girlLatin

Birdie

#670

little bird

girlEnglish

Ocean

#720

The great sea, vast expanse of water

unisexGreek

Laurel

#734

bay laurel tree, symbol of victory

unisexLatin

Forest

#750

dweller near or in the woods

boyEnglish

Bear

#853

the bear animal

boyEnglish

Indigo

#854

deep blue-violet dye from the Indies

unisexGreek

Fox

#933

fox animal

boyEnglish

Acacia

thorny tree, point

girlGreek

Alder

alder tree

boyEnglish

Ash

ash tree

unisexEnglish

Aster

star, star-shaped flower

girlGreek

Canyon

deep gorge or ravine

boySpanish

Cassiopeia

she whose words excel

girlGreek

Cedar

cedar tree

unisexEnglish

Cove

sheltered coastal inlet

unisexEnglish

Cypress

cypress tree

unisexGreek

Dove

dove bird, symbol of peace

girlEnglish

Elm

elm tree

unisexEnglish

Fern

feathery green plant of the woodlands

girlEnglish

Finch

small songbird of the finch family

unisexEnglish

Hawk

bird of prey; falcon

boyEnglish

Lark

songbird known for joyful song

unisexEnglish

Linden

lime tree hill

unisexEnglish

Oak

Sturdy oak tree, strength and endurance

unisexEnglish

Peregrine

Traveler or pilgrim, one from abroad

boyLatin

Pine

The coniferous pine tree

unisexEnglish

Prairie

Open grassland, meadow

girlFrench

Rain

Falling water from the sky

unisexEnglish

True Neutral

Names unbound by historical gender associations. Often utilizing sharp consonants, surnames-as-first-names, or newly established word names that carry a modern, egalitarian edge.

Harper

#16

harp player; maker of harps

girlEnglish

Avery

#37

ruler of elves, counsel of elves

unisexEnglish

Riley

#48

Rye clearing or courageous

unisexIrish

Logan

#53

little hollow, small meadow

unisexScottish

Rowan

#59

rowan tree, little red one

unisexIrish

Eden

#70

delight, paradise

unisexHebrew

Emery

#74

industrious ruler

unisexGerman

Cameron

#76

crooked nose or crooked river

unisexScottish

Kennedy

#85

helmeted chief; misshapen head

unisexIrish

Micah

#90

who is like God

unisexHebrew

Kai

#93

open, victorious, beginning

unisexChinese

Quinn

#97

wise, chief, counsel

unisexIrish

Parker

#102

Keeper or guardian of the park

unisexEnglish

River

#111

flowing body of water

unisexEnglish

Emerson

#122

son of Emery, industrious ruler

unisexEnglish

Sawyer

#122

one who saws wood

unisexEnglish

Hunter

#130

one who hunts; huntsman

unisexEnglish

Jordan

#131

to flow down; descend

unisexHebrew

Charlie

#133

free man

unisexEnglish

Oakley

#156

Meadow or clearing of oak trees

unisexEnglish

Sage

#160

wise, herb

unisexLatin

Hayden

#161

hay valley; hedged valley

unisexEnglish

Reese

#192

Ardor, enthusiasm, or fiery warrior

unisexWelsh

Peyton

#199

Fighting man's estate or village

unisexEnglish

Rory

#199

Red king or great king

unisexIrish

Lennon

#214

lover of storms; descendant of Leannán

unisexIrish

Dallas

#238

from the dale, meadow dwelling

unisexScottish

Milan

#242

gracious, kind; also Italian city

unisexSlavic

Ellis

#243

benevolent, kind; my God is Yahweh

unisexWelsh

Lane

#250

narrow path or roadway

unisexEnglish

Shiloh

#278

tranquil, place of peace

unisexHebrew

Blake

#295

black, pale, dark

unisexEnglish

Dakota

#296

friendly one, ally

unisexNative American

Harlow

#309

army hill; rocky hill

girlEnglish

Morgan

#312

sea-born, sea circle, bright sea

unisexWelsh

Casey

#320

brave in battle, vigilant

unisexIrish

Kendall

#328

valley of the River Kent

unisexEnglish

Phoenix

#329

mythical reborn bird, dark red

unisexGreek

Finley

#333

fair-haired warrior or hero

unisexScottish

Murphy

#397

sea warrior, hound of the sea

unisexIrish

Briar

#400

thorny shrub, bramble

unisexEnglish

Taylor

#403

one who cuts cloth, tailor

unisexEnglish

Marlowe

#523

remnants of a lake, driftwood

unisexEnglish

Frankie

#552

free one; diminutive of Frances or Frank

unisexEnglish

Drew

#553

strong and manly; beloved

unisexEnglish

Campbell

#617

crooked mouth

unisexScottish

Bellamy

#721

good friend, beautiful friend

unisexFrench

Indigo

#854

deep blue-violet dye from the Indies

unisexGreek

Justice

#898

fairness, righteousness, and moral equity

unisexLatin

Linden

lime tree hill

unisexEnglish

Celestial & Light

The fastest-rising trend of 2026. Names meaning light, sun, moon, and stars — radiating warmth, hope, and cosmic wonder. Soleil rose 151 spots, Elio climbed 139, and Halo surged 466 positions in a single year.

Joybait & Intention

Names chosen to manifest positive qualities — peace, joy, truth, and hope. Truce jumped 11,000 SSA spots. Amity rose 22%, Dove 19%, Pax 12%. Parents are naming their children after the world they want to see.

Grace

#38

divine favor and elegance

girlLatin

Eden

#70

delight, paradise

unisexHebrew

Haven

#190

safe place, refuge

unisexEnglish

Faith

#254

trust and belief in God

girlEnglish

Harmony

#276

agreement, concord, musical unity

girlGreek

Hope

#352

expectation and desire for good things

girlEnglish

Joy

#419

great happiness and delight

girlLatin

Dream

#432

vision during sleep; aspiration

girlEnglish

Chance

#442

good fortune, luck

boyEnglish

Felicity

#473

intense happiness and good fortune

girlLatin

Truce

#774

peace agreement, cessation of conflict

unisexEnglish

Mercy

#867

compassion, clemency

girlEnglish

Justice

#898

fairness, righteousness, and moral equity

unisexLatin

Liberty

#976

freedom, independence

girlLatin

True

#982

loyal, faithful, genuine

unisexEnglish

Amity

friendship, harmony

girlLatin

Bliss

perfect happiness, joy

girlEnglish

Blythe

cheerful, merry, joyful

girlEnglish

Brave

courageous, fearless

unisexEnglish

Clement

merciful, gentle

boyLatin

Constance

steadfast, constant

girlLatin

Dove

dove bird, symbol of peace

girlEnglish

Fortune

luck, fate, and divine providence

unisexLatin

Honor

dignity, integrity, and high moral worth

girlLatin

Noble

aristocratic, distinguished

boyEnglish

Pax

peace

unisexLatin

Peace

State of tranquility, freedom from conflict

girlEnglish

Prosper

To thrive, succeed, or be fortunate

boyLatin

Serene

calm, peaceful, tranquil

girlLatin

Solace

comfort in times of distress

girlLatin

Temperance

moderation, self-restraint

girlLatin

Trust

firm belief, reliance, faith

unisexEnglish

Unity

oneness, state of being united

girlLatin

Valor

courage, bravery in battle

unisexLatin

Verity

truth, honesty

girlLatin

Virtue

moral excellence, goodness

girlLatin

Anime-Inspired

As anime goes mainstream, Japanese and anime-inspired names are crossing from screen to birth certificate. These aren't novelty names — they carry centuries of cultural depth and are rising fast in SSA data.

Levi

#12

joined, attached, pledged in harmony

boyHebrew

Kai

#93

open, victorious, beginning

unisexChinese

Anya

#375

grace, favor

girlRussian

Rio

#532

River

unisexSpanish

Hana

#658

flower; blossom (Japanese); happiness (Arabic)

girlJapanese

Nori

#898

seaweed; rule, ceremony

unisexJapanese

Kenji

#944

strong and vigorous second son; wise peace

boyJapanese

Zen

#956

meditation, absorption, enlightenment

unisexJapanese

Akira

#983

bright, clear, intelligent

unisexJapanese

Asuna

tomorrow's silk, bright tomorrow

girlJapanese

Chihiro

thousand questions; thousand fathoms

girlJapanese

Gon

invented anime name; possibly rooted in Japanese

boyJapanese

Haru

spring; sunlight; clear weather

unisexJapanese

Hikaru

light; radiance; to shine

unisexJapanese

Hinata

sunny place, facing the sun

unisexJapanese

Jin

gold, tenderness, truth

unisexKorean

Jun

handsome, talented, ruler

boyChinese

Mei

beautiful, plum blossom

girlChinese

Mika

beautiful fragrance; who is like God

unisexJapanese

Mikasa

three hats or bamboo hat

girlJapanese

Momo

peach; also a hundred

girlJapanese

Nami

wave

girlJapanese

Naruto

maelstrom, roaring gate

boyJapanese

Nezuko

snowball flower, benign demon

girlJapanese

Rei

Lovely, beautiful, or zero

girlJapanese

Ren

lotus, love, romance

unisexJapanese

Rin

Cold, dignified, or companion

girlJapanese

Rumi

beauty, flow

girlJapanese

Ryu

Dragon, or flowing water

boyJapanese

Sakura

cherry blossom

girlJapanese

Shin

truth, genuine, real

unisexJapanese

Sora

sky, heavens

unisexJapanese

Suki

beloved, cherished one

girlJapanese

Taka

noble, hawk, high

unisexJapanese

Tanjiro

charcoal, second son

boyJapanese

Usagi

rabbit

girlJapanese

Yuki

snow, happiness, good fortune

unisexJapanese

Yuri

lily, farmer, light of God

unisexJapanese

Gothic & Moody

Dark, atmospheric names with literary weight and sophisticated edge. Gothic boy name searches are up 70%, girl names up 37%. Drawing from Poe, the Brontës, mythology, and the natural world.

Ancient Civilization

Nameberry's #1 trend for 2026. Names drawn from Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Norse empires. These names carry imperial weight, mythological depth, and millennia of history.

Short & Minimalist

One and two syllable names that pack a punch. Short, minimalist baby names are taking over — confirmed by SSA data and heavy media coverage. These names are sharp, universal, and effortlessly cool.

Mia

#6

mine, beloved

girlItalian

Jack

#15

God is gracious

boyEnglish

Leo

#19

lion

boyLatin

Ivy

#39

ivy plant, fidelity

girlEnglish

Beau

#60

beautiful, handsome

boyFrench

Enzo

#72

ruler of the estate

boyItalian

Theo

#82

divine gift

boyGreek

Kai

#93

open, victorious, beginning

unisexChinese

Jade

#95

precious green gemstone; stone of the side

girlSpanish

Quinn

#97

wise, chief, counsel

unisexIrish

Arlo

#148

fortified hill

boyEnglish

Sage

#160

wise, herb

unisexLatin

Ace

#164

one, unity, highest rank

boyLatin

Max

#180

greatest

boyLatin

Cole

#182

swarthy, coal-black

boyEnglish

Tate

#194

cheerful, pleasant

unisexEnglish

Knox

#196

round hill; rounded hillock

boyScottish

Finn

#206

fair, white, blessed

boyIrish

Zara

#212

flower, princess, dawn

girlLatin

Ada

#219

island, noble, decoration

girlTurkish

Noa

#226

movement, motion

girlHebrew

Wren

#231

small songbird

unisexEnglish

Cruz

#331

cross

unisexSpanish

Jax

#342

God has been gracious; son of Jack

boyEnglish

Onyx

#365

black gemstone, claw

unisexGreek

Hugo

#378

mind, intellect

boyGerman

Reed

#419

Red-haired, or one who lives by reeds

unisexEnglish

Bo

#449

to live, wave, castle

unisexNorse

Eve

#519

life, living one

girlHebrew

Rio

#532

River

unisexSpanish

Sol

#722

sun

unisexSpanish

Rex

#859

King

boyLatin

Fox

#933

fox animal

boyEnglish

Zen

#956

meditation, absorption, enlightenment

unisexJapanese

Lux

#981

light

unisexLatin

True

#982

loyal, faithful, genuine

unisexEnglish

Ash

ash tree

unisexEnglish

Dove

dove bird, symbol of peace

girlEnglish

Elm

elm tree

unisexEnglish

Gem

precious jewel or gemstone

unisexEnglish

Ida

hardworking; prosperous; labor

girlGerman

Jet

black gemstone; hard black lignite

unisexEnglish

Kit

bearer of Christ; pure

unisexEnglish

Pax

peace

unisexLatin

Rae

Ewe, or short form of Rachel or Raymond

girlHebrew

Ren

lotus, love, romance

unisexJapanese

Rue

Regret, or the bitter herb

girlEnglish
Begin here

ready to find the one?

Share what matters to you. Your consultant does the rest.

AI-powered · Completely free · No credit card required