Top Baby Names 2026: Most Popular Picks
Every year, parents across the country make their choices, and a new list of top baby names emerges. The 2026 rankings show a familiar picture at the very top — Liam and Olivia hold their crowns — but the middle and bottom of the top 100 tell a story of shifting tastes, cultural influence, and the slow return of vintage names that had been dormant for decades.
This guide covers the top baby names of 2026, the names making the biggest moves, and the trends driving those shifts. Each name links to its full profile on Baby Name Base, where you can see historical data, etymology, and popularity trends. If you are still deciding, use our Smart Name Generator to find names that suit your surname and style.
Top 10 Boy Names in 2026
The top of the boys' chart has remained remarkably stable. The same names have occupied the top slots for several years, with minor shuffling within the top 10.
LEE-um · Irish
"Strong-willed warrior, protector." Short form of William via Irish Ulliam. Liam has been the number one boy name in the United States since 2017 and shows no signs of slowing down. It is short, friendly, and works in English, Irish, and French contexts. The winning formula: traditional roots with a modern, crisp sound.
NO-uh · Hebrew
"Rest, comfort." Noah remains firmly in second place, having held the top spot itself in 2013-2016 before Liam overtook it. Its gentle sound and biblical narrative give it timeless appeal that transcends trends.
OL-ih-ver · Latin/French
"Olive tree, elf army." Oliver has been a top 5 fixture for years, beloved for its warm, friendly sound. It is particularly strong in the UK, where it has topped the charts. The nickname Ollie adds to its charm.
JAYMZ · Hebrew/English
"Supplanter." James is a perennial top 10 staple that never seems to age. It is biblical, royal, and universally recognized. James works on a baby, a CEO, and a grandfather with equal ease. A true multigenerational classic.
ee-LYE-juh · Hebrew
"My God is Yahweh." Elijah has risen steadily over the past decade, entering the top 5 and staying there. Its strong prophetic associations, lyrical sound, and the friendly nickname Eli give it broad parent appeal.
mah-TAY-oh · Spanish
"Gift of God." Spanish form of Matthew. Mateo has been one of the fastest risers in the top 10, reflecting the growing influence of Hispanic naming traditions in the United States. It is warm, romantic, and globally friendly.
THEE-uh-dor · Greek
"Gift of God." Theodore has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence, driven by the irresistibly cute nickname Teddy. It feels both vintage and fresh, appealing to parents who want a substantial name with a soft, cuddly short form.
HEN-ree · German/English
"Home ruler, estate ruler." Henry is a royal name with a modest, dependable feel. It has been in continuous use for centuries and remains a top 10 choice. Classic, sturdy, and unfussy — Henry does not try to be trendy and does not need to.
LOO-kus · Greek/Latin
"Light, from Lucania." Lucas is a modern favorite that combines the classic Luke with a more elaborate ending. It is strong in multiple languages and has benefited from the popularity of similar-sounding names like Liam and Logan.
JAK-sun · English
"Son of Jack." Jackson rounds out the top 10, a surname name that has become a modern classic. It is strong, friendly, and has the cool factor of the -son suffix that so many parents love.
Top 10 Girl Names in 2026
The girls' top 10 shows more movement than the boys', with several names climbing into positions they have not held before.
oh-LIV-ee-uh · Latin
"Olive tree, olive." Olivia has been the number one girl name for years, and 2026 is no different. It is elegant, feminine, and balances strength with softness. Shakespeare used it in Twelfth Night, giving it literary credentials as well.
EM-uh · German/English
"Whole, universal." Emma has been a top 5 fixture for two decades. It is short, sweet, and remarkably consistent. The name works in nearly every European language and has a cheerful, approachable energy.
SHAR-lut · French/English
"Free man." The feminine form of Charles, given royal cachet by Princess Charlotte. Charlotte is sophisticated and timeless, with the cheerful nickname Charlie balancing its formal elegance.
uh-MEE-lee-uh · German/Latin
"Work" (Germanic) or "rival" (Latin). Amelia is a top 5 staple that combines vintage charm with a modern -ia ending. Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart gives it a legacy of courage and adventure.
AH-vuh · Latin/Persian
"Bird, life." Ava is a three-letter powerhouse that has stayed near the top of the charts for years. It is short, elegant, and internationally friendly. Its simplicity is its greatest strength.
so-FEE-uh · Greek
"Wisdom." Sophia has been a global favorite for years, ranking highly in the US, UK, Australia, and across Europe. Its beautiful meaning and melodic sound make it a perennial choice for parents seeking elegance.
iz-uh-BEL-uh · Italian/Hebrew
"Pledged to God." An elaborate form of Elizabeth that has maintained top 10 status for a decade. Isabella feels romantic and substantial, with the friendly Bella as a built-in nickname.
MEE-uh · Italian/Scandinavian
"Mine, wished-for child." Mia is short, sweet, and internationally accessible. It has Scandinavian roots as a short form of Maria and Italian usage meaning "mine." Three letters, one syllable, maximum impact.
LOO-nuh · Latin
"Moon." Luna has been one of the fastest climbers in the top 10, driven by its celestial meaning and modern sound. It is mystical without being obscure and has a global quality that works in many languages.
HAR-per · English
"Harp player." An occupational surname turned first name. Harper has been a top 10 fixture for years, helped by celebrity usage and its fresh, literary feel. It is modern, strong, and has a cool, artistic edge.
Biggest Risers of 2026
These names are making significant jumps up the popularity chart compared to the previous year. Some are driven by pop culture, others by a slow cultural shift in taste.
MAYV · Irish
"She who intoxicates, she who rules." Named after the legendary warrior queen Medb of Connacht. Maeve has been climbing rapidly, driven by its strong sound and Irish heritage. It is short, fierce, and increasingly popular among parents who want something distinctive but not strange.
REN · English
A small songbird. Wren has entered the top 100 for the first time in 2026, reflecting the growing trend toward short nature names. Its four-letter simplicity and soft sound make it a favorite for modern parents.
el-ee-AH-nuh · Hebrew
"My God has answered." Eliana has been steadily rising as parents rediscover elaborate Hebrew names. It is melodic, meaningful, and ends with the popular -ana sound that makes it feel both ancient and contemporary.
EZ-ruh · Hebrew
"Help, helper." Ezra has been one of the fastest-rising boy names over the past five years. Its short length, biblical roots, and zippy Z sound make it attractive to parents who want something traditional but not stuffy.
EYE-vee · English
Named after the climbing evergreen plant. Ivy is short, vintage, and has been climbing the charts steadily. It benefits from the trend toward botanical names and the popularity of similar short names like Ava and Eve.
KAY-den · Arabic/English
"Friend, companion." Part of the -aiden name family (Aiden, Jayden, Brayden). Kaiden has risen as parents seek variations on the popular Aiden theme. Its strong K start gives it a slightly edgier feel.
Trends Driving the 2026 Rankings
Several broader patterns are visible in this year's top names. Understanding these trends can help you predict which names will rise and fall in the coming years.
Short names dominate. Mia, Ava, Zoe, Leo, and Eli all rank highly. Parents increasingly prefer names that are three or four letters — easy to spell, easy to say, and hard to mispronounce. Our guide to short baby names covers this category in depth.
Vintage is back. Names that peaked in the early 1900s are returning in force. Theodore, Eleanor, Hazel, Arthur, and Pearl are all climbing. Parents are looking for names with history, not invented modernity. The vintage baby names article explores this trend further.
Cross-cultural names are rising. Mateo, Santiago, and Valentina for Latino families. Kenji, Mei, and Hiro for Japanese heritage names. Amara, Zuri, and Imani for African roots. Parents are increasingly choosing names that reflect their cultural background rather than anglicizing them.
Unisex is mainstream. Riley, Quinn, Rowan, and Parker are now solidly established. Parents are less concerned about a name being "for a boy" or "for a girl" and more focused on sound and meaning. See our full unisex names guide for more options.
Nature names keep growing. Willow, River, Sage, Ivy, Wren, and Luna all rank well. The connection to the natural world appeals to families who value environmental consciousness and want a name that feels grounded.
If you want to explore the full ranking data for any name, visit the Browse page on Baby Name Base and use the popularity sort. You can also check where any name ranks in previous years to see its trajectory.
Try the Smart Name Generator →Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the number one baby name in 2026?
- Liam remains the number one boy name for the ninth consecutive year, while Olivia holds the top spot for girls. Both names have shown remarkable staying power with consistent year-over-year popularity.
- What baby names are trending upward in 2026?
- Maeve, Wren, and Eliana are climbing fast for girls. For boys, names like Mateo, Ezra, and Izaiah are on the rise. Celebrity influence, social media, and cultural shifts are driving many of these trends. Check our Browse page for real-time popularity data.
- Are classic names still popular in 2026?
- Yes. James, William, and Henry remain steady top choices for boys. Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Amelia continue to dominate for girls. Classic names maintain their appeal because they work in any era.
- How do baby name trends differ between countries?
- Significantly. Noah is top in the US but not in France. Liam leads in the US and UK but ranks lower in Spain. Cultural preferences, language sounds, and local celebrities all influence each country's top names differently.
- Where can I see the full top 100 list?
- Baby Name Base tracks popularity rankings for thousands of names. Use the Browse page to filter by popularity and see where any name ranks in current data. Each name profile also shows its year-over-year trend.