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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

#73

rowan tree, little red one

unisexIrish

Amara

#88

eternal, grace, immortal

girlAfrican

Orion

#178

rising in the sky, hunter

boyGreek

Lyra

#188

lyre, constellation

girlEnglish

Sylas

#200

of the forest, wood-dweller

boyLatin

Gael

#298

speaker of Gaelic; Celtic peoples

unisexCeltic

Aurelia

#312

golden

girlLatin

Soren

#340

stern, severe, thunder god

boyNorse

Briar

#345

thorny shrub, bramble

unisexEnglish

Darius

#355

possessing goodness, kingly

boyPersian

Lucian

#385

light

boyLatin

Seraphina

#388

burning ones, fiery angels

girlAfrican

Cassian

#395

hollow, empty; of Cassius

boyLatin

Dorian

#470

of the Dorian people, gift

boyGreek

Evander

#485

good man, bow warrior

boyGreek

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

Mael

chief, prince

boyCeltic

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.

Evelyn

#9

wished for child, life

girlEnglish

Henry

#10

ruler of the home

boyGerman

Eleanor

#14

bright, shining one

girlFrench

Hazel

#23

hazel tree, light brown

girlEnglish

Maeve

#48

she who intoxicates

girlIrish

Josephine

#52

God will increase

girlFrench

Vera

#60

faith, truth

girlRussian

Elias

#61

my God is Yahweh

boyGreek

Silas

#64

wood, forest

boyLatin

Cora

#66

maiden

girlGreek

Iris

#70

rainbow

girlGreek

Miles

#78

soldier; also gracious

boyLatin

George

#115

farmer; tiller of the earth

boyGreek

Arthur

#120

bear, noble, courageous

boyCeltic

Esther

#148

star; hidden

girlHebrew

Olive

#185

Olive tree, symbol of peace

girlLatin

Ada

#195

island, noble, decoration

girlTurkish

Julius

#264

youthful; of the Julian family

boyLatin

Lucille

#292

light, bright one

girlFrench

Frances

#302

free one from France

girlLatin

Opal

#330

Precious gemstone, jewel

girlSanskrit

Otto

#350

Wealth, prosperity, or fortune

boyGerman

Mabel

#358

lovable, dear

girlLatin

Matilda

#368

mighty in battle

girlGerman

Frederick

#378

peaceful ruler of great power

boyGerman

Albert

#380

noble, bright

boyGerman

Louisa

#380

renowned warrior

girlGerman

Edith

#382

prosperous in war

girlEnglish

Clementine

#395

mild, merciful

girlFrench

Rosemary

#400

Dew of the sea, or rose and Mary

girlLatin

Hugh

#426

mind, intellect, spirit

boyGerman

Desmond

#432

from south Munster

boyIrish

Ida

#443

hardworking; prosperous; labor

girlGerman

Beatrice

#455

she who brings happiness

girlLatin

Harriet

#603

ruler of the home; estate ruler

girlFrench

Harvey

#628

battle worthy; strong and ardent

boyFrench

Florence

#640

flourishing, prosperous

girlLatin

Cordelia

#710

heart, daughter of the sea

girlCeltic

Agnes

pure, holy, chaste

girlGreek

Bernard

brave bear

boyGerman

Bruce

from the brushwood thicket

boyFrench

Cecil

blind; sixth

boyLatin

Clifford

ford near a cliff

boyEnglish

Dorothea

gift of God

girlGreek

Edmund

wealthy protector

boyEnglish

Enid

soul, life force

girlWelsh

Leonard

brave as a lion

boyGerman

Lionel

little lion

boyFrench

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

#2

strong-willed warrior, protector

boyIrish

Olivia

#3

olive tree, peace

girlLatin

Mateo

#4

gift of God

boySpanish

Mia

#8

mine, beloved

girlItalian

Aria

#24

air, song, melody

girlItalian

Eliana

#38

my God has answered

girlHebrew

Isaiah

#39

God is salvation

boyHebrew

Naomi

#45

pleasant, beautiful, my delight

girlHebrew

Ezekiel

#62

God will strengthen

boyHebrew

Silas

#64

wood, forest

boyLatin

Milo

#82

soldier, merciful

boyGerman

Theo

#85

divine gift

boyGreek

Sienna

#112

reddish-brown, from Siena

girlItalian

Kaia

#149

earth; pure; key

girlGreek

Leia

#150

weary; also associated with meadow or child of heaven

girlHebrew

Juliet

#155

youthful; small Julia

girlFrench

Orion

#178

rising in the sky, hunter

boyGreek

Emilio

#258

rival, industrious, striving

boySpanish

Maia

#258

great one, mother goddess

girlGreek

Talia

#258

dew of heaven, blooming

girlHebrew

Thiago

#285

supplanter, one who follows

boyPortuguese

Elio

#295

sun

boyItalian

Gia

#330

God is gracious; short form of Gianna

girlItalian

Romeo

#352

Pilgrim to Rome, or citizen of Rome

boyItalian

Leona

#390

lioness

girlLatin

Cleo

#450

glory, pride

girlGreek

Dorian

#470

of the Dorian people, gift

boyGreek

Noa

#540

movement, motion

girlHebrew

Octavia

#558

eighth

girlEnglish

Koa

#560

brave, bold, fearless warrior

boyHawaiian

Alia

exalted, sublime

girlArabic

Alora

my dream, dream-like

girlAfrican

Amadeo

love of God

boyItalian

Aurelio

golden, gilded

boyItalian

Aviana

bird, life

girlLatin

Celian

heavenly, of the sky

boyLatin

Elodie

foreign riches, marsh flower

girlFrench

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

Kylo

invented Star Wars name; possibly sky

boyEnglish

Linnea

lime or linden tree

girlNorse

Lucien

light, born of light

boyFrench

Nola

famous, noble; white shoulder

girlIrish

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.

Luna

#6

moon

girlLatin

Hazel

#23

hazel tree, light brown

girlEnglish

Aurora

#29

dawn

girlLatin

Ivy

#32

ivy plant, fidelity

girlEnglish

River

#64

flowing body of water

unisexEnglish

Rowan

#73

rowan tree, little red one

unisexIrish

Juniper

#86

juniper tree, evergreen

girlLatin

Jasper

#95

treasurer, bringer of treasure

boyPersian

Ember

#135

smoldering remains of fire

girlEnglish

Daisy

#142

day's eye, the daisy flower

girlEnglish

Orion

#178

rising in the sky, hunter

boyGreek

Olive

#185

Olive tree, symbol of peace

girlLatin

Aspen

#188

aspen tree, trembling tree

unisexEnglish

Briar

#345

thorny shrub, bramble

unisexEnglish

Onyx

#345

black gemstone, claw

unisexGreek

Raven

#365

raven bird, dark-haired

unisexEnglish

Clementine

#395

mild, merciful

girlFrench

Reed

#480

Red-haired, or one who lives by reeds

unisexEnglish

Flora

#495

flower; Roman goddess of spring

girlLatin

Cedar

#590

cedar tree

unisexEnglish

Forest

#641

dweller near or in the woods

boyEnglish

Fox

#700

fox animal

boyEnglish

Ash

#760

ash tree

unisexEnglish

Fern

#810

feathery green plant of the woodlands

girlEnglish

Acacia

thorny tree, point

girlGreek

Alder

alder tree

boyEnglish

Aster

star, star-shaped flower

girlGreek

Bear

the bear animal

boyEnglish

Birdie

little bird

girlEnglish

Canyon

deep gorge or ravine

boySpanish

Cassiopeia

she whose words excel

girlGreek

Cove

sheltered coastal inlet

unisexEnglish

Cypress

cypress tree

unisexGreek

Dove

dove bird, symbol of peace

girlEnglish

Elm

elm tree

unisexEnglish

Finch

small songbird of the finch family

unisexEnglish

Hawk

bird of prey; falcon

boyEnglish

Indigo

deep blue-violet dye from the Indies

unisexGreek

Lark

songbird known for joyful song

unisexEnglish

Laurel

bay laurel tree, symbol of victory

unisexLatin

Linden

lime tree hill

unisexEnglish

Magnolia

Magnol's flower, magnificent bloom

girlLatin

Marigold

Mary's gold, golden flower

girlEnglish

Meadow

open grassland field

girlEnglish

Oak

Sturdy oak tree, strength and endurance

unisexEnglish

Ocean

The great sea, vast expanse of water

unisexGreek

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

#7

harp player; maker of harps

girlEnglish

Riley

#19

Rye clearing or courageous

unisexIrish

Logan

#20

little hollow, small meadow

unisexScottish

Avery

#29

ruler of elves, counsel of elves

unisexEnglish

Hunter

#63

one who hunts; huntsman

unisexEnglish

River

#64

flowing body of water

unisexEnglish

Kai

#68

open, victorious, beginning

unisexChinese

Rowan

#73

rowan tree, little red one

unisexIrish

Quinn

#75

wise, chief, counsel

unisexIrish

Cameron

#78

crooked nose or crooked river

unisexScottish

Jordan

#79

to flow down; descend

unisexHebrew

Micah

#85

who is like God

unisexHebrew

Peyton

#102

Fighting man's estate or village

unisexEnglish

Eden

#106

delight, paradise

unisexHebrew

Sawyer

#115

one who saws wood

unisexEnglish

Kennedy

#148

helmeted chief; misshapen head

unisexIrish

Emerson

#160

son of Emery, industrious ruler

unisexEnglish

Hayden

#167

hay valley; hedged valley

unisexEnglish

Reese

#168

Ardor, enthusiasm, or fiery warrior

unisexWelsh

Phoenix

#170

mythical reborn bird, dark red

unisexGreek

Blake

#175

black, pale, dark

unisexEnglish

Finley

#178

fair-haired warrior or hero

unisexScottish

Charlie

#190

free man

unisexEnglish

Parker

#193

Keeper or guardian of the park

unisexEnglish

Taylor

#205

one who cuts cloth, tailor

unisexEnglish

Harlow

#215

army hill; rocky hill

girlEnglish

Morgan

#240

sea-born, sea circle, bright sea

unisexWelsh

Kendall

#245

valley of the River Kent

unisexEnglish

Emery

#254

industrious ruler

unisexGerman

Lane

#270

narrow path or roadway

unisexEnglish

Ellis

#274

benevolent, kind; my God is Yahweh

unisexWelsh

Sage

#277

wise, herb

unisexLatin

Casey

#310

brave in battle, vigilant

unisexIrish

Justice

#336

fairness, righteousness, and moral equity

unisexLatin

Lennon

#340

lover of storms; descendant of Leannán

unisexIrish

Briar

#345

thorny shrub, bramble

unisexEnglish

Drew

#358

strong and manly; beloved

unisexEnglish

Dakota

#378

friendly one, ally

unisexNative American

Dallas

#438

from the dale, meadow dwelling

unisexScottish

Rory

#459

Red king or great king

unisexIrish

Shiloh

#460

tranquil, place of peace

unisexHebrew

Frankie

#504

free one; diminutive of Frances or Frank

unisexEnglish

Oakley

#710

Meadow or clearing of oak trees

unisexEnglish

Bellamy

good friend, beautiful friend

unisexFrench

Campbell

crooked mouth

unisexScottish

Indigo

deep blue-violet dye from the Indies

unisexGreek

Linden

lime tree hill

unisexEnglish

Marlowe

remnants of a lake, driftwood

unisexEnglish

Milan

gracious, kind; also Italian city

unisexSlavic

Murphy

sea warrior, hound of the sea

unisexIrish

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

#25

divine favor and elegance

girlLatin

Eden

#106

delight, paradise

unisexHebrew

Faith

#178

trust and belief in God

girlEnglish

Harmony

#188

agreement, concord, musical unity

girlGreek

Hope

#195

expectation and desire for good things

girlEnglish

Haven

#222

safe place, refuge

unisexEnglish

Joy

#223

great happiness and delight

girlLatin

Chance

#312

good fortune, luck

boyEnglish

Justice

#336

fairness, righteousness, and moral equity

unisexLatin

Felicity

#438

intense happiness and good fortune

girlLatin

Temperance

#480

moderation, self-restraint

girlLatin

Honor

#651

dignity, integrity, and high moral worth

girlLatin

True

#685

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

Dream

vision during sleep; aspiration

girlEnglish

Fortune

luck, fate, and divine providence

unisexLatin

Liberty

freedom, independence

girlLatin

Mercy

compassion, clemency

girlEnglish

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

Truce

peace agreement, cessation of conflict

unisexEnglish

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

#9

joined, attached, pledged in harmony

boyHebrew

Kai

#68

open, victorious, beginning

unisexChinese

Anya

#340

grace, favor

girlRussian

Hana

#531

flower; blossom (Japanese); happiness (Arabic)

girlJapanese

Ren

#558

lotus, love, romance

unisexJapanese

Sakura

#789

cherry blossom

girlJapanese

Akira

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

Kenji

strong and vigorous second son; wise peace

boyJapanese

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

Nori

seaweed; rule, ceremony

unisexJapanese

Rei

Lovely, beautiful, or zero

girlJapanese

Rin

Cold, dignified, or companion

girlJapanese

Rio

River

unisexSpanish

Rumi

beauty, flow

girlJapanese

Ryu

Dragon, or flowing water

boyJapanese

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

Zen

meditation, absorption, enlightenment

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

#8

mine, beloved

girlItalian

Leo

#16

lion

boyLatin

Jack

#27

God is gracious

boyEnglish

Ivy

#32

ivy plant, fidelity

girlEnglish

Max

#40

greatest

boyLatin

Kai

#68

open, victorious, beginning

unisexChinese

Quinn

#75

wise, chief, counsel

unisexIrish

Theo

#85

divine gift

boyGreek

Cole

#91

swarthy, coal-black

boyEnglish

Jax

#99

God has been gracious; son of Jack

boyEnglish

Jade

#111

precious green gemstone; stone of the side

girlSpanish

Finn

#118

fair, white, blessed

boyIrish

Knox

#139

round hill; rounded hillock

boyScottish

Beau

#142

beautiful, handsome

boyFrench

Wren

#145

small songbird

unisexEnglish

Arlo

#165

fortified hill

boyEnglish

Enzo

#169

ruler of the estate

boyItalian

Zara

#192

flower, princess, dawn

girlLatin

Ada

#195

island, noble, decoration

girlTurkish

Sage

#277

wise, herb

unisexLatin

Cruz

#280

cross

unisexSpanish

Hugo

#290

mind, intellect

boyGerman

Rex

#298

King

boyLatin

Tate

#330

cheerful, pleasant

unisexEnglish

Onyx

#345

black gemstone, claw

unisexGreek

Eve

#370

life, living one

girlHebrew

Ida

#443

hardworking; prosperous; labor

girlGerman

Ace

#450

one, unity, highest rank

boyLatin

Reed

#480

Red-haired, or one who lives by reeds

unisexEnglish

Rae

#520

Ewe, or short form of Rachel or Raymond

girlHebrew

Noa

#540

movement, motion

girlHebrew

Ren

#558

lotus, love, romance

unisexJapanese

Lux

#630

light

unisexLatin

True

#685

loyal, faithful, genuine

unisexEnglish

Fox

#700

fox animal

boyEnglish

Ash

#760

ash tree

unisexEnglish

Bo

to live, wave, castle

unisexNorse

Dove

dove bird, symbol of peace

girlEnglish

Elm

elm tree

unisexEnglish

Gem

precious jewel or gemstone

unisexEnglish

Jet

black gemstone; hard black lignite

unisexEnglish

Kit

bearer of Christ; pure

unisexEnglish

Pax

peace

unisexLatin

Rio

River

unisexSpanish

Rue

Regret, or the bitter herb

girlEnglish

Sol

sun

unisexSpanish

Zen

meditation, absorption, enlightenment

unisexJapanese
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