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
#75Little red-haired one; the rowan tree
Amara
#88eternal, grace, immortal
Lyra
#130Lyre, a stringed instrument — the constellation
Orion
#155Rising in the sky, hunter
Aurelia
#160Golden, the golden one
Sylas
#200of the forest, wood-dweller
Soren
#240Stern, severe — but softened over time to 'thunder'
Seraphina
#245Fiery, burning ones — from the angelic seraphim
Lucian
#260Light, born at daylight
Evander
#280Good man, strong man
Cassian
#290Hollow, curly-haired
Gael
#298speaker of Gaelic; Celtic peoples
Dorian
#330Gift, from the sea
Briar
#345thorny shrub, bramble
Darius
#355possessing goodness, kingly
Lysander
#520Liberator, one who frees
Zephyr
#520West wind, gentle breeze
Vesper
#550Evening star, evening prayer
Nyx
#680Night, goddess of the night
Aeron
battle, slaughter
Aethelthryth
noble strength
Alearis
unknown, possibly 'winged' or invented
Bastian
venerable, from Sebastia
Caelen
slender or narrow one
Ceryss
love; cherry blossom
Cypress
cypress tree
Elaria
cheerful, bright
Elspeth
my God is an oath
Fendrel
invented fantasy name, meaning unclear
Finnick
invented literary name, fair one
Galen
calm; healer; one who is tranquil
Ignis
fire
Ilyana
bright, shining; light of the sun
Jorien
Dutch form of Joris; farmer; earth worker
Kaela
invented name; possibly slender or fair
Kaelen
invented fantasy name; slender warrior
Kaelia
invented name; variant of Caelia or Kayla
Lirael
daughter of the Clayr
Mael
chief, prince
Morwenna
maiden, young woman; sea waves
Orian
Light, or variant of the hunter Orion
Phyre
Fire (stylized fantasy spelling)
Prythian
Fictional continent name (literary origin)
Rhysand
Fictional name, derived from Welsh Rhys (ardor)
Thalassa
sea, ocean
Theron
hunter
Thorne
thorny bush, thorn tree
Valerian
strength, health, from Valeria
Xaden
unknown; likely invented
Zinnea
zinnia flower
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.
Evelyn
#9Wished for child, life
Henry
#10Ruler of the home
Eleanor
#16Bright, shining one
Hazel
#18The hazelnut tree, wisdom
Maeve
#28She who intoxicates, the cause of great joy
Arthur
#42Bear, noble, courageous
Cora
#42Maiden, heart
Silas
#50Wood, forest
Iris
#52Rainbow, messenger of the gods
Josephine
#56God will increase, God will add
Vera
#60faith, truth
Elias
#61my God is Yahweh
Miles
#78soldier; also gracious
Clementine
#102Mild, merciful
Ada
#108Noble, adornment
George
#115farmer; tiller of the earth
Beatrice
#125She who brings happiness, blessed
Esther
#148star; hidden
Olive
#185Olive tree, symbol of peace
Florence
#195Flourishing, prosperous, blooming
Julius
#264youthful; of the Julian family
Lucille
#292light, bright one
Frances
#302free one from France
Cordelia
#310Heart, daughter of the sea
Opal
#330Precious gemstone, jewel
Otto
#350Wealth, prosperity, or fortune
Mabel
#358lovable, dear
Matilda
#368mighty in battle
Frederick
#378peaceful ruler of great power
Albert
#380noble, bright
Louisa
#380renowned warrior
Edith
#382prosperous in war
Rosemary
#400Dew of the sea, or rose and Mary
Hugh
#426mind, intellect, spirit
Desmond
#432from south Munster
Ida
#443hardworking; prosperous; labor
Harriet
#603ruler of the home; estate ruler
Harvey
#628battle worthy; strong and ardent
Agnes
pure, holy, chaste
Bernard
brave bear
Bruce
from the brushwood thicket
Cecil
blind; sixth
Clifford
ford near a cliff
Dorothea
gift of God
Edmund
wealthy protector
Enid
soul, life force
Leonard
brave as a lion
Lionel
little lion
Phyllis
Green bough or foliage
Ralph
Counsel wolf or wolf counsel
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
#1Strong-willed warrior, protector
Olivia
#1Olive tree, symbolizing peace and beauty
Mia
#6Mine, beloved
Mateo
#8Gift of God
Aria
#15Air, song, or melody
Theo
#22God, divine gift
Milo
#30Gracious, soldier, merciful
Eliana
#32My God has answered, sun
Isaiah
#39God is salvation
Naomi
#45pleasant, beautiful, my delight
Silas
#50Wood, forest
Sienna
#55Orange-red, from the city of Siena
Ezekiel
#62God will strengthen
Noa
#110Movement, motion
Kaia
#149earth; pure; key
Leia
#150weary; also associated with meadow or child of heaven
Juliet
#155youthful; small Julia
Orion
#155Rising in the sky, hunter
Cleo
#205Pride, fame, glory
Emilio
#258rival, industrious, striving
Maia
#258great one, mother goddess
Talia
#258dew of heaven, blooming
Elio
#285Sun, sunlight
Thiago
#285supplanter, one who follows
Dorian
#330Gift, from the sea
Gia
#330God is gracious; short form of Gianna
Romeo
#352Pilgrim to Rome, or citizen of Rome
Octavia
#380Eighth
Leona
#390lioness
Koa
#560brave, bold, fearless warrior
Alia
exalted, sublime
Alora
my dream, dream-like
Amadeo
love of God
Aurelio
golden, gilded
Aviana
bird, life
Celian
heavenly, of the sky
Elodie
foreign riches, marsh flower
Eulalia
sweetly speaking, well-spoken
Eviana
life, gracious gift
Ilias
my God is Yahweh; the Lord is my God
Iona
island; gem; violet-colored jewel
Kylo
invented Star Wars name; possibly sky
Linnea
lime or linden tree
Lucien
light, born of light
Nola
famous, noble; white shoulder
Novalia
new land, newly tilled field
Phineas
Oracle, serpent's mouth, or Nubian
Pia
Pious, devout, or reverent
Simeon
he who hears, God has heard
Zoa
life, living being
Wild Nature
Moving beyond Rose and Lily to more rugged, untamed, or celestial natural elements. These names evoke forests, rivers, mountains, and the sky.
Luna
#8Moon
Aurora
#14Dawn, the first light of morning
Hazel
#18The hazelnut tree, wisdom
Ivy
#23Climbing vine, faithfulness
Rowan
#75Little red-haired one; the rowan tree
River
#85Flowing body of water
Juniper
#88Young, the juniper tree (an evergreen)
Clementine
#102Mild, merciful
Jasper
#105Bringer of treasure, spotted stone
Daisy
#142day's eye, the daisy flower
Orion
#155Rising in the sky, hunter
Ember
#175Spark, smoldering remains of a fire
Olive
#185Olive tree, symbol of peace
Aspen
#188aspen tree, trembling tree
Raven
#220Dark-haired, the blackbird
Onyx
#310Black gemstone, claw
Cedar
#340The cedar tree, strength and eternal beauty
Briar
#345thorny shrub, bramble
Ash
#380Ash tree, happy
Fox
#400The fox animal, cunning and cleverness
Reed
#480Red-haired, or one who lives by reeds
Dove
#485Bird of peace, purity
Flora
#495flower; Roman goddess of spring
Forest
#641dweller near or in the woods
Fern
#810feathery green plant of the woodlands
Acacia
thorny tree, point
Alder
alder tree
Aster
star, star-shaped flower
Bear
the bear animal
Birdie
little bird
Canyon
deep gorge or ravine
Cassiopeia
she whose words excel
Cove
sheltered coastal inlet
Cypress
cypress tree
Elm
elm tree
Finch
small songbird of the finch family
Hawk
bird of prey; falcon
Indigo
deep blue-violet dye from the Indies
Lark
songbird known for joyful song
Laurel
bay laurel tree, symbol of victory
Linden
lime tree hill
Magnolia
Magnol's flower, magnificent bloom
Marigold
Mary's gold, golden flower
Meadow
open grassland field
Oak
Sturdy oak tree, strength and endurance
Ocean
The great sea, vast expanse of water
Peregrine
Traveler or pilgrim, one from abroad
Pine
The coniferous pine tree
Prairie
Open grassland, meadow
Rain
Falling water from the sky
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
#7harp player; maker of harps
Riley
#19Rye clearing or courageous
Logan
#20little hollow, small meadow
Avery
#29ruler of elves, counsel of elves
Kai
#55Sea (Hawaiian), forgiveness (Japanese), willow tree (Navajo)
Hunter
#63one who hunts; huntsman
Quinn
#70Counsel, wisdom, chief
Rowan
#75Little red-haired one; the rowan tree
Cameron
#78crooked nose or crooked river
Jordan
#79to flow down; descend
Micah
#85who is like God
River
#85Flowing body of water
Peyton
#102Fighting man's estate or village
Eden
#106delight, paradise
Sawyer
#115one who saws wood
Sage
#120Wise, the herb
Kennedy
#148helmeted chief; misshapen head
Emerson
#160son of Emery, industrious ruler
Hayden
#167hay valley; hedged valley
Reese
#168Ardor, enthusiasm, or fiery warrior
Blake
#175black, pale, dark
Finley
#178fair-haired warrior or hero
Charlie
#190free man
Phoenix
#190Mythical bird reborn from ashes, dark red
Parker
#193Keeper or guardian of the park
Taylor
#205one who cuts cloth, tailor
Harlow
#215army hill; rocky hill
Morgan
#240sea-born, sea circle, bright sea
Kendall
#245valley of the River Kent
Emery
#254industrious ruler
Lane
#270narrow path or roadway
Ellis
#274benevolent, kind; my God is Yahweh
Casey
#310brave in battle, vigilant
Justice
#336fairness, righteousness, and moral equity
Lennon
#340lover of storms; descendant of Leannán
Briar
#345thorny shrub, bramble
Drew
#358strong and manly; beloved
Dakota
#378friendly one, ally
Dallas
#438from the dale, meadow dwelling
Rory
#459Red king or great king
Shiloh
#460tranquil, place of peace
Frankie
#504free one; diminutive of Frances or Frank
Oakley
#710Meadow or clearing of oak trees
Bellamy
good friend, beautiful friend
Campbell
crooked mouth
Indigo
deep blue-violet dye from the Indies
Linden
lime tree hill
Marlowe
remnants of a lake, driftwood
Milan
gracious, kind; also Italian city
Murphy
sea warrior, hound of the sea
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.
Luna
#8Moon
Aurora
#14Dawn, the first light of morning
Nova
#25New, a star showing sudden increase in brightness
Eliana
#32My God has answered, sun
Stella
#38Star
Elena
#46bright, shining light
Thea
#78Goddess, divine gift
Clara
#87bright, clear, illustrious
Zara
#95Blooming flower, princess, radiance
Lyra
#130Lyre, a stringed instrument — the constellation
Lucía
#140light, born of light
Alina
#150noble, bright, beautiful
Orion
#155Rising in the sky, hunter
Celeste
#180Heavenly, celestial
Phoebe
#225Bright, radiant, or shining one
Apollo
#255Destroyer, but associated with light, music, and healing
Lucian
#260Light, born at daylight
Helen
#265bright, shining light; torch
Elio
#285Sun, sunlight
Selene
#295Moon, goddess of the moon
Artemis
#320Goddess of the hunt and the moon
Cyrus
#350sun, throne, far-sighted
Halo
#380Ring of light, divine aura
Sora
#380Sky (Japanese)
Elara
#420Cheerful, shining light
Soleil
#420Sun
Sol
#450Sun
Solana
#510Sunshine, eastern wind
Lux
#520Light
Astra
star, of the stars
Danica
morning star, Venus
Dawn
daybreak, the first light
Eileen
bright, shining, radiant
Estelle
star
Helios
sun; the sun god
Hikaru
light; radiance; to shine
Kiran
ray of light; beam of sunlight
Noor
light, divine light
Orla
Golden princess or golden queen
Roxana
Dawn, bright, or little star
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
#25divine favor and elegance
Eden
#106delight, paradise
Faith
#178trust and belief in God
Harmony
#188agreement, concord, musical unity
Hope
#195expectation and desire for good things
Haven
#210Safe place, refuge, sanctuary
Joy
#223great happiness and delight
Chance
#312good fortune, luck
Justice
#336fairness, righteousness, and moral equity
Felicity
#438intense happiness and good fortune
Noble
#480Aristocratic, having high moral qualities
Temperance
#480moderation, self-restraint
Dove
#485Bird of peace, purity
True
#520Genuine, loyal, honest
Amity
#620Friendship, peaceful harmony
Honor
#651dignity, integrity, and high moral worth
Pax
#680Peace
Bliss
perfect happiness, joy
Blythe
cheerful, merry, joyful
Brave
courageous, fearless
Clement
merciful, gentle
Constance
steadfast, constant
Dream
vision during sleep; aspiration
Fortune
luck, fate, and divine providence
Liberty
freedom, independence
Mercy
compassion, clemency
Peace
State of tranquility, freedom from conflict
Prosper
To thrive, succeed, or be fortunate
Serene
calm, peaceful, tranquil
Solace
comfort in times of distress
Truce
peace agreement, cessation of conflict
Trust
firm belief, reliance, faith
Unity
oneness, state of being united
Valor
courage, bravery in battle
Verity
truth, honesty
Virtue
moral excellence, goodness
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
#9joined, attached, pledged in harmony
Kai
#55Sea (Hawaiian), forgiveness (Japanese), willow tree (Navajo)
Anya
#140Grace, favor
Ren
#350Lotus, love (Japanese); rebirth (various)
Sakura
#380Cherry blossom
Sora
#380Sky (Japanese)
Rumi
#450Beauty, flow (Japanese); also the Persian poet Rumi
Hana
#531flower; blossom (Japanese); happiness (Arabic)
Jin
#580Gold, treasure (Korean); benevolence (Japanese)
Hinata
#620Sunny place, facing the sun
Jun
#720Talented, handsome (Korean); obedient (Japanese)
Akira
bright, clear, intelligent
Asuna
tomorrow's silk, bright tomorrow
Chihiro
thousand questions; thousand fathoms
Gon
invented anime name; possibly rooted in Japanese
Haru
spring; sunlight; clear weather
Hikaru
light; radiance; to shine
Kenji
strong and vigorous second son; wise peace
Mei
beautiful, plum blossom
Mika
beautiful fragrance; who is like God
Mikasa
three hats or bamboo hat
Momo
peach; also a hundred
Nami
wave
Naruto
maelstrom, roaring gate
Nezuko
snowball flower, benign demon
Nori
seaweed; rule, ceremony
Rei
Lovely, beautiful, or zero
Rin
Cold, dignified, or companion
Rio
River
Ryu
Dragon, or flowing water
Shin
truth, genuine, real
Suki
beloved, cherished one
Taka
noble, hawk, high
Tanjiro
charcoal, second son
Usagi
rabbit
Yuki
snow, happiness, good fortune
Yuri
lily, farmer, light of God
Zen
meditation, absorption, enlightenment
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.
Ivy
#23Climbing vine, faithfulness
Layla
#24Night, dark beauty
Wren
#65Small songbird
Jasper
#105Bringer of treasure, spotted stone
Ember
#175Spark, smoldering remains of a fire
Raven
#220Dark-haired, the blackbird
Lucian
#260Light, born at daylight
Cordelia
#310Heart, daughter of the sea
Onyx
#310Black gemstone, claw
Ophelia
#310Help, aid, or benefit
Dorian
#330Gift, from the sea
Briar
#345thorny shrub, bramble
Ash
#380Ash tree, happy
Persephone
#410Bringer of destruction, queen of the underworld
Sterling
#415of high quality, little star
Salem
#420Peace, completeness
Vesper
#550Evening star, evening prayer
Sable
#620Black, dark fur
Nyx
#680Night, goddess of the night
Alaric
ruler of all, noble power
Ambrose
immortal, divine
Caspian
of the Caspian Sea region
Cedric
bounty, pattern of leadership
Draven
hunter, of the ravens
Isolde
ice ruler; she who is gazed upon
Lenore
bright, shining light
Lilith
of the night, night monster
Morgana
sea circle, great queen, enchantress
Rune
Secret, mystery, or runic letter
Theron
hunter
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.
Penelope
#19Weaver, faithful wife
Athena
#68Goddess of wisdom and warfare
Atlas
#115Bearer of the heavens
Diana
#140divine, heavenly
Atticus
#145Man of Attica (Greece)
Aurelia
#160Golden, the golden one
Cleo
#205Pride, fame, glory
Dante
#230Enduring, steadfast
Apollo
#255Destroyer, but associated with light, music, and healing
Evander
#280Good man, strong man
Cassian
#290Hollow, curly-haired
Selene
#295Moon, goddess of the moon
Magnus
#310Great, mighty
Augustus
#320great, magnificent, venerable
Cassius
#340Hollow, vain — but reinterpreted as bold and ambitious
Helena
#343bright, shining light; torch
Octavia
#380Eighth
Calliope
#390Beautiful voice, muse of epic poetry
Persephone
#410Bringer of destruction, queen of the underworld
Olympia
#480From Mount Olympus, heavenly
Lysander
#520Liberator, one who frees
Juno
#651queen of heaven; vital force
Augusta
great, magnificent, venerable
Cornelia
horn, of the Cornelii family
Marcella
dedicated to Mars, warlike
Mars
god of war
Maximus
greatest
Nero
strong, stern, vigorous
Romulus
Citizen of Rome, strength of Rome
Titan
powerful giant, one of great strength
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
#6Mine, beloved
Leo
#11Lion, brave
Jack
#14God is gracious
Theo
#22God, divine gift
Ivy
#23Climbing vine, faithfulness
Max
#40greatest
Kai
#55Sea (Hawaiian), forgiveness (Japanese), willow tree (Navajo)
Finn
#62Fair, white, bright
Wren
#65Small songbird
Quinn
#70Counsel, wisdom, chief
Hugo
#82Mind, intellect, spirit
Arlo
#90Fortified hill, between two hills
Cole
#91swarthy, coal-black
Enzo
#92Ruler of the home, winner
Zara
#95Blooming flower, princess, radiance
Jax
#99God has been gracious; son of Jack
Ada
#108Noble, adornment
Noa
#110Movement, motion
Jade
#111precious green gemstone; stone of the side
Sage
#120Wise, the herb
Knox
#139round hill; rounded hillock
Beau
#142beautiful, handsome
Cruz
#280cross
Rex
#298King
Onyx
#310Black gemstone, claw
Tate
#330cheerful, pleasant
Ren
#350Lotus, love (Japanese); rebirth (various)
Eve
#370life, living one
Ash
#380Ash tree, happy
Fox
#400The fox animal, cunning and cleverness
Ida
#443hardworking; prosperous; labor
Ace
#450one, unity, highest rank
Sol
#450Sun
Reed
#480Red-haired, or one who lives by reeds
Dove
#485Bird of peace, purity
Lux
#520Light
Rae
#520Ewe, or short form of Rachel or Raymond
True
#520Genuine, loyal, honest
Pax
#680Peace
Bo
to live, wave, castle
Elm
elm tree
Gem
precious jewel or gemstone
Jet
black gemstone; hard black lignite
Kit
bearer of Christ; pure
Rio
River
Rue
Regret, or the bitter herb
Zen
meditation, absorption, enlightenment
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