2027 Baby Name Trend Predictions: Romance, Meaning + the Wild West

I’ve spent the past few years digging into Babylist Babes, our community-powered name database where parents share their babies’ names, and writing Babylist’s baby name guides. Along the way, I’ve tracked everything from the most popular picks to the unexpected middle names that make me stop scrolling.

For our 2027 predictions, I compared Babylist Babes name data for arrival years 2024 through 2026 to see which names are gaining ground and what vibes they fall into. I looked at how often each name appeared compared with all the first names shared for that arrival year. That helps us spot names becoming more common, even when the total number of names in Babylist Babes changes from year to year.

Five patterns stood out: romantic names are having a moment, nature names are leaning floral and the last-name-as-first-name trend seems to have traded its prep-school blazer for cowboy boots. Some build on what we predicted for 2026, while others take this year’s trends in a new direction.

Here are the five baby name trends we’re watching for 2027. (Building a shortlist? Our interactive Baby Name Finder can help.)

Romantic Maximalism

Last year, we called the rise of short, nickname-style names like Kit and Millie “mini maximalism.” For 2027, we’re watching names with a little more room to play. Think flowing sounds, a little drama and plenty of nickname possibilities. Valentina and Ophelia are the longer, more elaborate picks, while Elias and Selah keep that flowing sound in fewer syllables.

Julian, Valentina, Eliana and Selah became more common on the Babylist Babes first-name list each year from 2024 through 2026. Here are the other romantic names we’re watching for 2027:

• Julian

• Valentina

• Eliana

• Camila

• Sienna

• Vivian

• Lucia

• Ophelia

• Colette

• Alaia

• Jeremiah

• Malachi

• Elias

• Josiah

• Isaiah

• Adriel

• Selah

Secret Garden Names

Nature names aren’t going anywhere, but the names we’re watching for 2027 sound like they belong in a garden in full bloom. Think heirloom flowers, overgrown paths and a little secret-garden charm. The name Magnolia brings a lush, Southern feel, while Dahlia has a slightly moodier edge. Azalea is another floral-inspired choice to watch.

All three became more common on the Babylist Babes first-name list each year from 2024 through 2026. Magnolia’s count climbed from 26 in the 2025 arrival-year group to 35 in 2026—even with fewer names in the 2026 group overall. Here are the garden-inspired names we’re watching:

• Magnolia

• Dahlia

• Iris

• Azalea

• Poppy

• Rosemary

• Clover

• Willow

• Juniper

Last Names Go West

Last names as first names have been a Babylist Babes trend for the past few years. In our 2026 check-in, we highlighted polished, preppy picks like Collins, Palmer and Campbell. For 2027, we’re watching the more rugged side of that trend: Walker, Stetson and Colter.

Think Western movies, wide-open spaces and, in Stetson’s case, an actual cowboy hat. Hudson still has that polished, preppy feel but fits alongside these more outdoorsy choices, too. Nash and Ryder are shorter, punchier options.

Walker, Stetson and Colter became more common on the Babylist Babes first-name list each year from 2024 through 2026. Stetson stands out: it went from five entries in the 2024 arrival-year group to 22 in 2025 and 27 in 2026. It’s still a relatively uncommon pick, but one we’re keeping an eye on.

Here are the last names we’re watching as first names for 2027:

• Cooper

• Hudson

• Weston

• Walker

• Stetson

• Colter

• Dawson

• Nash

• Merritt

• Ryder

Global Cool, Round Two

In our 2026 predictions, we called this trend “Global Cool”: names from different languages and naming traditions gaining ground on Babylist Babes. Think Mateo, Thiago and Amir—each with its own cultural roots and history.

Mateo and Leon became more common on the Babylist Babes first-name list each year from 2024 through 2026, while Amir gained ground in the latest year. For 2027, we’re watching that momentum continue. Here are a few names on our list:

• Mateo

• Santiago

• Lorenzo

• Leon

• Matteo

• Thiago

• Emilio

• Amir

Meaningful Word Names

Sometimes a name’s meaning is right there in the word itself. Love, Joy and Serenity name a feeling, while Ace and Legend have a bold, confident sound.

For 2027, we’re especially watching the middle-name spot. Love and Joy became more common as middle names in the 2026 Babylist Babes arrival-year group compared with 2025. Paired with a first name, they can make a familiar combination feel more personal. Ace also became more common as a first name each year from 2024 through 2026.

Here are a few word names to consider:

• Ace

• Legend

• Love (middle)

• Joy (middle)

• Praise

• Psalm

• Blessing

• Messiah

• Favor

• Genesis

• Theory

• Reason

• Chozen

• Honour

• Serenity

• Reign

How our 2026 predictions held up

So, how did we do? I went back to the names featured in our 2026 predictions and our midyear trend check-in to see which became more common on Babylist Babes from 2024 through 2026. Some kept gaining ground. Others took a different turn.

• Global Cool: Names from different languages and naming traditions are still ones to watch. Mateo and Camila became more common each year. Santiago held steady in 2026, while Lorenzo became less common and Lucia picked up again after a dip in 2025.

• Nature names: Our prediction has a more floral feel heading into 2027. Magnolia, Dahlia and Juniper became more common each year, while Iris picked up again in 2026.

• Polaroid Core: This was our take on nostalgic, vintage names—and the results weren’t all the same. Eleanor, Alice and Graham became more common each year. August and Clara picked up again in 2026, while Nora and Sylvie became less common.

• Mini Maximalism: Short names with plenty of personality still have fans, but some are gaining ground while others are cooling. Millie, Ella, Evie and Noa became more common in 2026, while Remi, Theo and Leo became less common.

• Color Theory: Color-inspired names had mixed results. Ruby and Hazel became less common in 2026, Violet edged up and Sage and Ember picked up again after dipping in 2025.

• Last names as first names: We highlighted polished, preppy choices in our midyear check-in. Now, the more rugged picks are worth watching: Cooper, Walker, Weston and Colter became more common each year, though Colton slipped in 2026.