Pronounced Ellie-ah-nah, Eliana has climbed four places to take the number one spot, ending Olivia's remarkable 20-year reign. With its gentle sound, meaningful origins and international appeal, it's easy to see why so many parents have fallen in love with it.
But Eliana's rise isn't happening in isolation. The latest baby names 2026 trends show that everything from fashion and interiors to television, literature and social media is influencing the names parents choose for their children. Scroll down for the top girl's and boy's names this year.
Baby names 2026 reflect the rise of 'Riviera Chic'
One of the biggest influences on baby names 2026 is what's being described as the "Riviera Chic" aesthetic. Think sun-soaked Mediterranean escapes, low-key luxe and a hint of elegance. It's a look that's appearing everywhere from Insta feeds to interior design, and now it's inspiring baby names too.
Names with a soft, sophisticated feel are climbing the charts, including Eliana, Otis, Christian, Elliott, Rio, Nico, Ottilie, Talia, Iris and Liora. Rather than choosing unusual names simply because they're different, many parents seem to be going for names that are meaningful, timeless and have a better chance of growing up well.
Gothic-inspired baby names are gaining popularity
Not every naming trend is light and airy. A darker, more romantic style is also making its mark on baby names 2026.
Inspired by classic literature, movies like Wuthering Heights and the popularity of Gothic-inspired fashion, parents are rediscovering dramatic, characterful names with timeless appeal. Azriel, Ezekiel, Levi, Zane, Noor, Zahra, Rosa, Aurora, Dhruv and Imani are all climbing the rankings, reflecting a growing desire for names that are distinctive without being too off-beat.
Vintage baby names continue their comeback
Nostalgia is playing into baby names 2026 as well.
The cosy "Grandmillennial" trend celebrates vintage interiors, floral prints and traditional craftsmanship, and it's helping classic baby names make a welcome return. Hazel, Joy, Winnie, Penelope, Daphne, Rupert, Finn, Robin, Jasper and Jonah are all enjoying a resurgence, proving that old fashioned names can still feel fresh for a new generation of parents.
TV and pop culture continue to be an influence in 2026
Television is another of the biggest drivers behind baby names 2026, with popular series introducing classic names to a whole new audience.
The success of the TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Rivals has sparked renewed interest in several of its characters' names with Freddie climbing into BabyCentre's boys' top 10, and Rupert making one of the biggest jumps of the year. Sarah has also risen in popularity, and Valerie has entered the charts for the first time.
If it's all in a name, what does the 2026 top 10 tell us about today's parents?
If there's one clear message from the latest baby names 2026 trends, it's that parents are finding inspiration all over the place. From Mediterranean-inspired aesthetics and vintage design to favourite television shows and literary classics, today's naming choices are shaped by the wider culture more than ever.
While Olivia's impressive 20-year reign may have come to an end, one thing remains the same: choosing a baby's name is still one of the most personal and exciting decisions new parents will make. And the 2026 trends suggest they're looking for names that feel meaningful, timeless and individual.
Top girl's names right now
1. Eliana
2. Olivia
3. Lily
4. Amelia
5. Isabella
6. Sophia
7. Freya
8. Poppy
9. Ava
Top boy's names right now
1. Muhammad
2. Noah
3. Leo
4. Luca
5. Theo
6. Oliver
7. Ethan
8. Elijah
9. Freddie
BabyCentre is the UK’s go-to destination for pregnancy and parenting reaching millions of new and expectant parents each month, and its Top 100 Baby Names 2026 List reveals the biggest baby name themes capturing parents’ imaginations at the moment.
Picking a name for baby is a huge responsibility (anyone cursed with a mean childhood nickname knows this). We say reduce therisk and do your research by downloading the free BabyCentre app and exploring the Baby Name Shuffle tool which lets you build your own, personalised shortlist and helps find the perfect name that hopefully your baby will grow up to love as much as you do.
If you’re trying to conceive (TTC), you probably know that there are certain foods and nutrients that become especially important once you’re pregnant. But nutrition plays a vital role even when trying to conceive, much like laying a strong foundation before constructing a house.
Certain nutrients create that foundation by supporting egg and sperm health (yes, nutrition matters for both partners), hormone balance and creating a hospitable environment for a fertilized egg to implant. In fact, studies show that certain nutrients can help increase fertility and improve success rates for both natural conception and fertility treatments.
In other words, nutrition is a key player in the TTC journey, but getting the right nutrients in the right quantities can be tricky. That’s where supplements come in. Just as you’d take a multivitamin to fill in nutritional gaps for optimal health, fertility supplements can give you that extra nutrient boost.
Choosing supplements for your fertility journey
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
.png)
.png)
