Somewhere in a delivery room, a new parent is weighing a name that sounds like that of a Greek hero, a Montana ranch hand, or a brooding hockey player in a streaming series. According to the latest data from BabyCenter, they are far from alone.
BabyCenter, a digital parenting resource that has been reporting on baby names and trends for more than 20 years, just released its annual lists of the most popular baby names of 2026 and the trends it expects to shape in 2027. The results, shared with NBC News, are based on more than 350,000 babies born this year to parents enrolled in the BabyCenter app. Because parents submit their names in real time, the company can predict trends before the Social Security Administration releases its official list.
At the top, not much has changed from last year. Noah and Olivia both retain their No. 1 spots.
But just below them, a name is making a lot of noise. Eliana rose to No. 2 for girls, a remarkable rise from No. 14 in 2024 and No. 7 last year. BabyCenter name consultant Steph Coffield calls it the most surprising trend of the year and predicts that if the momentum continues, Eliana could take the top spot for girls next year.
If there’s one recurring theme in this year’s data, it’s the first letter, E. E is the most popular initial for girls, accounting for 15% of the top 100 girls’ names. Among boys, J is in the lead, with 14% of the top 100.
The E names are having a moment well beyond the top 10. Elsie rose 23 places, Evangeline 50, Elodie 87, Elaine 143 and Esme a whopping 222. Among the boys, Josiah jumped 33 places, to No. 21, and Jeremiah climbed 28 places, to No. 60, while Jaxon, Jaxson and Jasper all occupy a place in the top 100.
Scroll down further and you’ll find some new faces. Magnolia is the only brand new girl’s name. But on the boys’ side, Stetson, Archer and Milo all made their debuts, joined by Dean, who makes his first appearance in the top 100 this century after a heyday in the 50s and 60s.
The length also tends to increase. Nearly three in ten girls’ names and 31% of the most popular boys’ names have seven or more letters. The longest name in the mix is Christopher, at 11 years.
Many of these longer, bolder choices come straight from the screen, and nowhere is that clearer than on the ice. In the year that ESPN recorded its most-watched NHL playoff season, on-ice TV series including “Off Campus” and “Heated Rivalry” boosted names like Garrett, Allie, Beau and Jules. The star of the rankings is Ilya, who climbed more than 6,000 places to 2,197th place among the boys.
Swap the ice rink for open range, and another small-screen hit leaves its mark. The enduring appeal of “Yellowstone,” with its cowboy hats, boots and line dancing, extends into the child’s bedroom. As previously mentioned, Stetson moved up 46 spots to #95, the first time it has entered BabyCenter’s top 100. Walker (up 19), Callahan (up 88), Wilder (up 107) and Gunner (up 151) are riding the same wave.
But the Cowboys have some competition from overseas. Names from Greek mythology fail, reinforced by the hit film “The Odyssey.” Boys’ names on the rise include Atlas (up five), Orion and Troy (both up nine), Ares (up 32), Evander (up 128) and Perseus (up 249). Among the girls, Iris (up to 18), Lydia (up to 38) and Daphné (up to 42) climb.
“This year’s trends show that parents are ready to dig into the archives with a modern appreciation of the old, the vintage, the classic,” Coffield said.
In some cases, these archives are a charming town in Connecticut. With a recently announced “Gilmore Girls” documentary, fall reruns are making Stars Hollow names skyrocket. Lorelai rises 12 places and Rory 31. Among boys, Christopher gains four, Luke seven, Richard 29 and Dean 31, which helps explain this name’s return to the top 100.
Not every name is riding the pop culture wave, however, and one has had a rough year. Between Taylor Swift’s wedding, Taylor Farms lettuce memories, and two famous Taylors welcoming babies with Taylor as their middle name, says BabyCenter, parents are done with it. For girls, Taylor fell 24 places, to No. 399. For boys, he fell 262 places, to No. 1,093, falling out of the top 1,000 for the first time.
So back to that delivery room. Whatever name new parents choose, whether it’s a mythical hero, a rugged cowboy, or a Stars Hollow favorite, chances are it’s already climbing the charts.
Gn entert
