Baby Names Surge: From Mythology to TV

BabyCenter's latest report highlights significant shifts in popular baby names for 2026. While Noah and Olivia maintain their top positions, Eliana has surged to second place for girls, marking a surprising climb that experts suggest could lead to the number one spot next year. The initial 'E' is currently the most popular for girls, and 'J' for boys among the top 100 names.

Pop culture is a major driver of these trends, with TV shows and movies heavily influencing parental choices. Names inspired by hockey dramas, the 'Yellowstone' series, and Greek mythology are on the rise. For instance, Ilya has seen a massive jump in popularity. Similarly, cowboy-themed names like Stetson and Wilder are gaining traction, alongside mythological names such as Atlas and Ares.

Further adding to the variety, new names like Stetson, Archer, and Milo have debuted in the top 100 for boys. Longer names are also trending. Conversely, the name Taylor has fallen significantly in popularity, dropping out of the top 1,000 for both boys and girls in 2026.