The Baby Name Trends of 2026, So Far

It's time for a Babylist baby names trend check-in—and this is going to be a fun one!

If you're new here, Babylist Babes is our community-powered baby name database where parents can share their baby's name and browse names other families are choosing. Because we're looking at real names from real babies, it gives us an early look at the trends bubbling up before they hit the mainstream (and the Social Security Administration’s list, which tracks the whole country).

I'm Briana, an editor at Babylist and our resident baby name expert. I've been digging into the Babylist Babes data for the last few years to keep an eye on the most popular names, what's trending and how those trends are shifting over time. While the top names tend to take longer to move, I get to spot both wider naming trends and micro trends in what actual parents are naming their babies each month.

Late last year, we predicted which baby name trends we'd see pop off in 2026, and the TL;DR is—I was on to something. I’m seeing those trends manifest in this year’s baby names list—like "Global Cool" and "Polaroid Core". And since then, I’ve been paying close attention to our weekly Babylist Babes list to see the microtrends shaping up.  Let's take a peek at the trends we think will continue to drive Babylist Babes this year, plus a few new ones that have caught my eye.

🪩 Millennial Throwbacks

Millennials are recycling their own names. Yes, you read that right. One of the most surprising trends in the Babylist Babes data so far is that parents are circling back to the '80s and '90s for name inspo—and I was shocked (in the best way) to spot my own name, Brianna, on the list.

These names aren't necessarily "vintage"—they're not old enough for that yet. But as time goes on, they're starting to carry a warm, nostalgic feeling that parents are clearly drawn to. (Possibly due to them feeling “vintage” now that Gen Z-ers are having babies.) A few we've spotted on Babylist Babes this year:

• Hannah

• Bridget

• Jessica

• Amber

• Camille

• Ryan

• Samantha

• Ashley

• Brianna

• Kelly

• Sally

• Katherine

• Aaron

🍅 Full Heirloom Last Names 

We noticed a surge in last names as first names last year, but the way they’re showing up is new. These names are no longer casual cool—they're going full heirloom. Last year Palmer showed up quite a bit as a first name for baby girls, and while it’s still up there, Collins is quickly rising in this category. It's also two syllables but ends softly and pairs well with both classic and unexpected middles. (In fact, it’s trending as a middle name as well). Here are a few more heirloom-worthy last-names-as-first-names that are trending among Babylist babies:

• Collins 

• Blair 

• Palmer 

• Booker

• Teller

• Campbell

• Merritt

• Preston

• Bronson

• Jensen

👦 Boy Names For Girls That End in ‘-ie’

Last year, we predicted that parents would continue borrowing names from the boys' side of the baby name aisle. This year, we're seeing that trend sharpen into something more specific: the rise of the -ie and -y ending applied to boy names, making them work for girls, too. The softer ending gives traditionally masculine names a playful, approachable feel—while still keeping that cool, borrowed-from-the-boys energy parents seem to love.

Scottie, Frankie, Teddie, Ralphie, Stevie and Billie are all showing up on Babylist Babes, proving that the nickname-style trend isn't slowing down. And if anything, it seems parents are getting bolder with their choices.

A few of the names making moves:

• Frankie 

• Ralphie

• Teddie

• Scottie

• Bobbi 

• Stevie

• Billie

• Robbie 

• Rickey 

• Ziggy 

But names ending in ‘-ie’ and ‘-y’ are the only boy names parents are borrowing for their girls. There’s a new set that sort of combines this trend with last year’s (enduring) surnames as first names category. Names like Murphy, Cooper, Palmer, Campbell, Miller and even Ezra are showing up for girls on Babylist Babes, suggesting some parents are skipping the nickname layer altogether.

🃏 The Bridge Club Era

Vintage names have been trending for years now—but in 2026, parents are digging one generation deeper. We're moving past the Margots and Eloises of last year and into names that feel like they belong to your great-grandma's bridge club. Think Hattie, Mabel, Clive, Oswald, Goldie, and Birdie. Names that are so old they've looped back around to feeling genuinely fresh.

What makes this tier different from regular vintage is the specificity. They're names that skipped a generation entirely and are now landing with a kind of unexpected charm that more common vintage picks can't quite replicate. A few we're spotting on the Babylist Babes list:

• Elsie

• Florence

• Edith

• Otis

• Ruby

• Otto

• Walter

• Cleo

• Goldie

• Birdie

• Luella

• Guinevere

• Alastair

• Hattie

• Odie

• Darla

🌍 The Heritage Middle

As I checked in with Babylist Babes each week this year, I kept stopping to note middle names—specifically, the beautiful, culturally rich ones showing up alongside more familiar first names. It felt like something worth paying attention to.

What I'm seeing is a modern wave of legacy naming. Parents are using the middle name slot to honor their heritage, their family or their culture—without placing that weight entirely on a child's first name. It carries meaning and history just behind it. A few that stopped me in my tracks on Babylist Babes this year:

• Max Taeyang

• Asher Jun Ho

• Ellis Terumi

• Charlotte Feng

• River Takashi

• Emilia Xochitl

• Olivia Guadalupe

• Luna Mariposa

• Griffin Seamus

• Luna Mariposa

• Leo Gustavo

The middle name is typically where families either have a bit more creative freedom or quietly keep their stories—and parents are leaning into that more intentionally than ever.

How Do I Add My Baby’s Name to Babylist Babes?

Do you want to see your own baby’s name on the list? You can submit it here! (Just be sure you’re signed into your Babylist account.) I also love to hear the stories behind baby name choices, because I know a lot of thought and intention goes into it! Share your story, and it could help us shape future baby names content.