Best Baby Names 2026: Top Names for Boys and Girls

Choosing your baby's name is one of the first — and most personal — decisions you will make as a parent. It is a name your child will carry for their entire life, and we know that makes it feel like a very big deal. Whether you have had a name picked out since you were twelve or you are staring at a blank list with no idea where to start, this guide is here to help.

We have rounded up the top baby names for 2026, drawing on naming trends, Social Security Administration data, and the names that are rising fastest in popularity. Whether you are looking for classic and timeless, modern and unique, or somewhere in between, you will find plenty of inspiration here.

Top Girl Names for 2026

The Top 20

Rank	Name	Style
1	Olivia	Classic
2	Emma	Timeless
3	Charlotte	Elegant
4	Amelia	Vintage revival
5	Sophia	Classic
6	Isabella	Romantic
7	Ava	Minimalist
8	Mia	Short and sweet
9	Evelyn	Vintage revival
10	Luna	Celestial/nature
11	Harper	Surname-turned-first
12	Camila	Romantic
13	Gianna	Italian
14	Elizabeth	Royal classic
15	Eleanor	Vintage revival
16	Ella	Timeless
17	Abigail	Biblical
18	Sofia	International
19	Avery	Unisex
20	Scarlett	Color/name

Rising Girl Names

These names are climbing the charts fastest in 2026:

• Wren — A nature name with a clean, modern feel
• Elara — A moon of Jupiter; celestial names are trending strong
• Maeve — Irish mythology name that has exploded in popularity
• Cleo — Vintage short name with modern appeal
• Millie — Retro diminutive making a comeback
• Nora — Simple, elegant, and gaining fast
• Ophelia — Shakespearean name trending with literary-minded parents
• Sylvie — French variant of Sylvia; soft and sophisticated
• Stevie — Unisex rock-and-roll name for girls
• Ada — Minimalist vintage name

Top Boy Names for 2026

The Top 20

Rank	Name	Style
1	Liam	Modern classic
2	Noah	Biblical
3	Oliver	Classic
4	James	Royal classic
5	Elijah	Biblical
6	William	Royal classic
7	Henry	Vintage revival
8	Lucas	International
9	Benjamin	Biblical
10	Theodore	Vintage revival
11	Mateo	International
12	Levi	Biblical
13	Sebastian	Romantic
14	Daniel	Timeless
15	Jack	Classic
16	Michael	Timeless
17	Alexander	Strong classic
18	Owen	Celtic
19	Asher	Biblical
20	Sammy	Friendly diminutive

Rising Boy Names

• Soren — Scandinavian name with a strong, modern sound
• Rowan — Nature name (the rowan tree) that works for boys and girls
• Jasper — Vintage gemstone name making a major comeback
• Silas — Short biblical name with a cool factor
• Atlas — Mythological name; strong and adventurous
• Felix — Latin for "lucky"; vintage name trending hard
• Phoenix — Mythological bird name; bold and modern
• Beau — French for "handsome"; charming and simple
• Arlo — Vintage revival with a fresh feel
• Onyx — Bold gemstone name for adventurous parents

Naming Trends for 2026

Understanding current naming trends can help you find a name that feels contemporary without being overly trendy:

1. Vintage Revival

Names from the 1920s-1940s are dominating the charts. Think Eleanor, Hazel, Florence, Arthur, Theodore, and Felix. These names feel fresh to modern ears because they skipped a generation or two.

2. Nature and Celestial Names

Parents continue to gravitate toward names inspired by the natural world: Luna, Aurora, Wren, Rowan, River, Atlas, and Sage. Celestial names (Elara, Orion, Nova, Stella) are especially popular in 2026.

3. Short and Sweet

Four-letter names are having a moment: Cleo, Milo, Ada, Arlo, Luna, Beau, and Nora. These names are easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and feel modern without trying too hard.

4. Gender-Neutral Names

Unisex names continue to rise: Avery, Riley, Quinn, Rowan, Jordan, Sage, Blake, and Harper. Many parents love the flexibility and modern feel of gender-neutral names.

5. International Influence

Names from diverse cultural backgrounds are becoming more mainstream: Mateo, Camila, Gianna, Soren, and Kai reflect America's multicultural landscape and parents' desire for names with cultural significance.

How to Choose the Perfect Baby Name

Start With What Matters to You

Before diving into lists, think about what is important to you and your family:

• Family traditions — Do you want to honor a relative? Use a family surname as a first name?
• Cultural heritage — A name that reflects your background can carry deep meaning
• Religious significance — Biblical, Quranic, Hindu, and other spiritual names hold special meaning for many families
• Sound and flow — Say the full name (first, middle, last) out loud. Does it flow nicely?
• Initials — Write out the initials to make sure they do not spell anything unfortunate
• Nickname potential — If you name your daughter Elizabeth, are you okay with Beth, Liz, or Ellie?

Practical Considerations

• Spelling and pronunciation — If people will constantly misspell or mispronounce the name, are you prepared for that?
• Popularity — If you choose a top-10 name, your child will likely share it with classmates. If uniqueness matters to you, look further down the list.
• Google test — Search the full name to see what comes up. Your child will do this someday.
• Sibling names — If you plan to have more children, think about how this name pairs with future names
• Professional viability — Can you picture this name on a college application, a business card, or a Supreme Court nomination?

Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not rush — You have time. Even if your baby is born, you typically have a window to finalize the name
• Do not overthink it — At some point, you need to trust your instincts
• Do not let too many people weigh in — Everyone has opinions on baby names. Keep your shortlist private until you are ready to announce
• Do not be afraid to change your mind — It is okay to pick a name at 20 weeks and change it at 38 weeks
• Do not ignore your partner's input — This is a joint decision. Find a name you both love

What If You Do Not Know the Gender Yet?

If you are still waiting to find out whether you are having a boy or girl, you have two options: pick one name for each, or choose a gender-neutral name. Many parents enjoy picking both a boy and girl name — it is like having two surprises, one at the ultrasound and one at birth.

If you are eager to narrow it down early, our professional gender prediction service can analyze your ultrasound images using methods like the Ramzi theory, nub theory, and skull theory. Knowing the gender early means you can focus your naming energy on one list instead of two.

Resources for Finding Baby Names

• Baby name apps — Browse by origin, meaning, or style
• Family tree research — Discover meaningful names from your ancestry
• Literature and mythology — Rich sources of beautiful, meaningful names
• Maps and places — City, state, and country names are increasingly popular (Brooklyn, Austin, Charlotte, Georgia)
• Nature — Flowers, trees, gems, and celestial bodies provide endless inspiration

Making It Official

Once you have chosen the perfect name, you will need to make it official. In most US states, you will fill out the birth certificate paperwork at the hospital. Some states allow you to take the paperwork home and mail it in within a few days to a few weeks. Check your state's specific requirements and timeline.

Start Planning With Confidence

Your baby's name is just the beginning of an incredible journey of decisions, milestones, and memories. As you prepare for your little one's arrival, we are here to help with the exciting stuff — including finding out your baby's gender early so you can personalize everything from the name to the nursery. Check out our gender prediction packages to get started.

For more preparation tips, explore our hospital bag checklist and pregnancy dos and don'ts as you count down to delivery day.

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Name popularity data is based on Social Security Administration records and current trend projections for 2026. Rankings may vary by region.