38 Baby Names That Will Be Huge in 2026

If the bun in your oven is scheduled to make its grand appearance after the New Year, you might still be hemming and hawing over what name to choose. Maybe you want a popular name. Maybe you actively don’t. But either way, you at least want to know what is trending. (Are we still into Aiden? Olivia?) I spoke to a baby-naming expert (yes, that’s a thing) to find the hottest trends for 2026. Read on for her predictions, plus plenty of examples in each trending category.

Colleen Slagen, author of Naming Bebe, is a former nurse practitioner turned professional baby name consultant and content creator. Her work has been featured on NPR, ABC News Today, The Washington Post, and more. She lives in the Boston area with her husband and 3 children.

Short, but sweet names are still on the rise, Slagen says, because they have a minimalist, modern aesthetic. They avoid the issue of unwanted nicknames and have an effortlessly chic vibe.

An Old English topographical name meaning “brook” or “stream.”

This name has Gaelic, Scottish and Irish roots and is a shortened version of Malcolm and Mackenzie that means “the greatest.”

This name of Old English origin was originally a surname meaning “stream.”

Here, a name of Welsh and English origin that means “son of John.”

This short and cute masculine name has multiple origins and meaning. In Latin, it means “bald,” but it also has Hebrew origins with a meaning of “faithful and devoted.” (We’re rooting for the latter.)

Kit is a unisex name of Greek and English origin, and a common nickname for both Christopher and Katherine, which mean “bearer of Christ” and “pure,” respectively.

This sturdy but feminine moniker has Welsh origins and a meaning of “holy,” “fair,” and “pure.”

This strong and seductive name of Irish origin has mythological roots and a meaning of “she who intoxicates.”

Liv can be used as an abbreviation for Olivia or as a standalone name of Scandinavian origin meaning “life,” “protection” and “shelter.”

Elle has French origins (it’s a pronoun meaning “she/her”) and Greek origins with an alternate meaning of “sun ray” or “light.”

This name was first popularized by Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. It has French and Old Latin origins and a straightforward meaning of “to listen, explore and discover.”

90s trends aren’t just influencing the fashion world. Slagen sees parents reaching for 90s names–especially boy names–for something that feels familiar but still original for kids born in the 2020s.

This gender neutral name of Hebrew origin means “to flow down” or “to descend.”

Here, a masculine moniker of Hebrew origin that means “God has remembered.”

No surprises here. This masculine name has Scottish origins and simply means “of Scotland.”

This name of English and Latin origin has a lofty meaning of “great, magnificent and majestic.” 

“God’s gift” and “wealthy” are the meanings of this gender neutral name of Hebrew origin.

Think: The Summer I Turned Pretty. These are strong, yet gentle names—ones that are easy to picture on a baby, but age well.

In ancient Greek mythology, ambrosia was the healing drink of the Gods. It’s a symbol of eternal life with a meaning to match: “divine” and “immortal.”

This preppy-sounding name of German origin has a meaning of “brave advisor,” or “bold counsel.”

Or Auggie if you want to be cute. This name of Latin origin means “magnificent,” “great” and “venerable.”

Perfect for a ginger—this name of Old French origin means “redhead” or (even more adorable) “little red fox.”

This name of Latin origin has a stately ring to it, but not such a flattering meaning: “vain” and “hollow.”

This popular masculine name of Scandinavian origin has ties to the Greek name Andreas, meaning “manly” and “warrior.”

People often comment “that’s a dog name” to names Slagan suggests. Her question: why are people giving dogs such good names? “What happened to Spot? I think people find cutesy, nickname-names to seem like dog names. But what’s really happening is that people are starting to forgo the ‘formal name’ and are just naming their children what they want to call them.”

Arlo is a name of Germanic and English origin with a topographical meaning of “fortified hill.”

A shortened version of the Greek name Theodoros—this one means “gift from God” and “wealthy protector.”

Here, a shortened version of the name Augustus (see above) with a like meaning of “venerable.”

“Gentle strength” and “strong in work” are the meanings of the sweet feminine name of German and English origin.

This diminutive version of the Yiddish name Golda has a meaning to match the sound: “made of gold.”

In Old English, this feminine name translates to “day’s eye.”

Not a new trend, but a trend that is only just getting started and appears to have staying power, says Slagen. People are loving names that evoke a rugged aesthetic. If it’s got western or country vibes, you can expect it to be big in 2026.

An Old English name meaning “fist fighter” and “cattle dealer.”

“Untamed, wild and free” are the meanings of this name of Old English and Germanic origin.

Cade is a gender neutral name of Old English and Welsh origin that means “barrell” or “stout.”

One of my favorite country singers (Townes Van Zandt, duh!) and an adapted surname of English origin meaning “from the town.”

This cute-as-a-button single syllable name has a cheery meaning of “joyful and bright.”

This diminutive of Josephine has Hebrew origins and a meaning of “God will add.”

Della is a feminine name of Germanic origin with a grand meaning of “nobility.”

Here, a common nickname for Elizabeth with English origins and a meaning of “God’s promise.”

A variant of Laura, and a feminine name of Latin and Italian origin that’s related to the laurel plant—a symbol of honor, distinction and triumph.

A shortened version of Matilda, this name of German origin has a fierce meaning of “mighty in battle.”