Updated October 20, 2026, 9:42 a.m. ET
Noah and Olivia remain the most popular baby names, according to BabyCenter’s 2026 rankings and data, which also highlights other trendy names influenced by hockey TV shows, Greek epics, and e-names.
While the most popular name for both sexes remains the same as last year, the digital parent resource said in an October 20 news release that some old favorites return to the top 10, along with some new names. For example, among the girls, Eliana rose to number 2 this year from number 7 in 2025, while Evelyn regained a place in the top 10 after falling in 2024.
On the boys’ side, Elias entered the top 10 for the first time in 7th place, alongside Leo, who returned to the top 10 after dropping out last year. Other new names gaining popularity include Magnolia for girls and Stetson, Archer, Milo and Dean on the boys list.
Dean entered the top 100 for the first time this century after falling from his peak in the 1950s and 1960s.
Steph Coffield, baby name consultant for BabyCenter, said in a statement that the most surprising name trend this year was “Eliana’s meteoric rise to become the second most popular name for girls,” adding that if its momentum continues, it may become the top name next year, dethroning Olivia.
BabyCenter said its insights come from its “proprietary name data, from more than 350,000 babies born in 2026 to parents registered on the BabyCenter app.” The organization notes that because the names “are submitted in real time, BabyCenter can detect emerging trends before the Social Security Administration releases its annual list.”
Top 10 most popular girl names for 2026
- Olivia
- Eliana
- Amelia
- Charlotte
- Sophia
- Isabella
- Emma
- Aurora
- Evelyn
- Mia
Top 10 most popular boy names for 2026
- Noah
- Liam
- Oliver
- Elias
- Mateo
- Lucas
- Elias
- Levi
- Ezra
- Leo
Trends drive baby names
BabyCenter’s latest report found “E” is the most popular first initial for girls, with names starting with the letter accounting for 15% of the top 100 girl names. Meanwhile, “J” is the most popular first letter among boys, with 14% of the top 100 names starting with the letter.
The data also shows that names are getting longer, with 29% of the top girl names and 31% of the top boy names having 7 or more letters. According to BabyCenter, the longest name among the most popular is Christopher, with 11 letters.
Meanwhile, some longtime favorite names have declined in popularity, including Leah and Brooklyn for girls and Christian and Ryan for boys. Taylor also registered a sharp decline in popularity among girls and boys as parents experienced what BabyCenter said was “Taylor fatigue”, presumably fueled by Taylor Swift’s wedding, recalls Taylor Farms Lettuce, and “even Taylor’s Lautner a baby, with the middle name Taylor.
Trends that will affect baby names in 2027
Hockey TV dramas, Greek epics, and Western aesthetics are expected to lead baby name trends for 2027, according to BabyCenter, which also notes that longer names and names starting with “E” for girls and with “J” for boys will continue to trend.
Here’s what BabyCenter predicts for the coming year:
- As hockey TV dramas dominate the TV landscape and ESPN picks up its most-watched NHL playoff season, names inspired by the game have increased in popularity, with parents choosing names like Garrett, Allie, Beau, and Jules from the Prime Video hit show “Off Campus.”
- Western names inspired by hit shows like “Yellowstone” continue to dominate pop culture and baby names as parents embrace the vibe. Stetson, for example, rose 46 spots to No. 95 to enter the top 100 for the first time, with Walker, Callahan, Wilder and Gunner close behind.
- Names inspired by Greek myth and the Mediterranean also gained popularity, “thanks to their grandiose characters in ‘The Odyssey’ blockbuster,” BabyCenter said. Atlas, Orion, Troy, Ares, Evander and Perseus all saw a stream among boys, while the girls were named Iris, Lydia and Daphne.
- Ahead of a newly announced documentary, “Gilmore Girls” inspired names are already leading a big spike for Stars Hollow favorites, including Lorelai, Rory, Christopher, Luke and Dean.
- High-impact, edgy names with the letter X are also popular, with Bexley, Alexandra, Xena and Ximena trending for girls, and Braxton, Knox, Daxton, Maximilian and Jaxson for boys.
“The trends this year show that parents are ready to dig into the archives with some modern appreciation for the antique, the vintage, the classic,” Coffield said. “BabyCenter’s data shows that names from Greek myth and the Wild West are conquering the boundaries of the Gen Beta baby name. And these names are increasingly balanced by using statistically more letters than parents maximize and embrace longer names.”
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.