Most popular baby names of 2026 so far 👶
In need of some inspiration?
Last updated 24th Jun 2026
Naming your baby is one of the biggest decisions you'll make as a parent. It's a name they'll have for the rest of their life, so it's no surprise that finding the perfect one can be a challenge. With so many beautiful names to choose from, knowing where to start isn't always easy.
Well, if you're in need of some inspiration, BabyCentre has conducted research into the most popular baby names chosen in 2026 so far, as well as the emerging trends experts believe are behind parents’ choices.
The most popular baby names of 2026 so far:
Boys:
1) Muhammad
2) Noah
3) Leo
4) Luca
5) Theo
6) Oliver
7) Ethan
8) Elijah
9) Liam
10) Oscar
Girls:
1) Eliana
2) Olivia
3) Amelia
4) Lily
5) Sophia
6) Isabella
7) Freya
8) Ava
9) Poppy
10) Ivy
You can see the full list right here.
According to BabyCentre, there's three major trends shaping decisions in the first six months of 2026, including rainbowcore names, 2016 and poet aesthetic.
Rainbowcore names:
BabyCenter says: "This trend celebrates playfulness and optimism, two values that feel especially important to modern parents right now. Choosing a colour-inspired name brings a sense of brightness and boldness, and signals a refusal to let the weight of the world dim your child’s story."
Ruby
Violet
Scarlett
Olive
Hazel
Names like Navy, Saffron, Cherry, Blue, Coral, Lilac, Opal, Indigo, Sage and Azure are also on the rise.
2016
BabyCentre says: "Looking back at the most popular names from 2016 feels comforting and familiar. These are names with positive associations and a relaxed, effortless appeal. They don’t shout for attention — they’ve already proved they belong."
Boys:
Muhammed
Leo
Theo
Oliver
Luca
Arthur
Archie
Theodore
Louie
Arlo
Girls:
Olivia
Lily
Isabella
Freya
Florence
Matilda
Evelyn
Elsie
Aria
Luna
READ MORE: Experts warn driving in Crocs could result in huge fine
Poet aesthetic
BabyCentre says: "Poetry is more popular than ever, with modern poets gaining huge followings across social media and capturing the mood of life today in a way that resonates deeply. As this aesthetic spills into fashion - think turtlenecks, glasses, and an intentionally thoughtful look — it’s also influencing the baby names parents are drawn to."
Girls:
Evelyn
Maryam
Anaya
Arabella
Penelope
Clara
Talia
Delilah
Boys:
Nathaniel
Adriel
Isaiah
Abdullah
Gabriel
Rory
Theodore
Reuben
Now take a look at all of the banned baby names from around the world:
Illegal baby names in the UK
According to Mom Junction these names are banned in the UK:
1) Martian
2) Monkey
3) Chow Tow (which means 'Smelly Head')
4) Rogue
5) Akuma (in Japanese it mean 'Devil'
Illegal baby names in France
Over in France parents are banned from naming their children:
1) Nutella (yup, just like the chocolate)
2) MJ
3) Manhattan
4) Joyeux (which means 'happy' in English)
5) Deamon
6) Prince William
7) Mini Cooper (we can't quite believe this one)
Illegal baby names in Germany
1) Matti
2) Kohl
3) Stompie
4) Osama Bin Laden
5) Adolf Hitler
Also in Germany you are only allowed to give your child a gender neutral name if you make it double barrel and the second moniker is gender specific.
Illegal baby names in Australia
Some of the names that have been banned in Australia are certainly questionable...
1) Ikea
2) Ranga
3) LOL
4) Batman
5) Snort
6) Hitler
7) Spinach
8) Christ
9) Dame
10) God
11) Satan
12) Brother
13) Sir
14) Prime Minister
15) General
Illegal baby names in Switzerland
1) Mercedes
2) Schmid
3) Paris
4) Chanel
5) Judas
6) Lucifer
Illegal baby names in Iceland
Here's a fun fact about the Icelandic alphabet it doesn't include the letters C, Q, W or Z which makes any name with those character banned.
1) Duncan
2) Zoe
3) Enrique
4) Ludwig
5) Camilla
6) Harriet
Illegal baby names in Portugal
Judging by just a few of the banned names in Portugal it's safe to say they're not fond of names used by the royal family...
1) William
2) Catherine
3) George
4) Charlotte
5) Tom
6) Michael
7) Emily
8) Bruce
9) Jenny
10) Nirvana
11) Rihanna
12) Jimmy
13) Viking
Illegal baby names in America
Similar to the banned baby names in Portugal, in America they're not too fond of royal type names, so...
1) King
2) Queen
3) Majesty
4) Master
5) Judge
6) Duke
Illegal baby names in Denmark
If you're naming your baby in Denmark you'll most likely know someone with the same name because the country has a pre-approved list of names that you can pick from.
Not only that but if you want a name not on the list, you'll have to get permission from Copenhagen University's Names Investigation Department and at the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs.
Wowza!
A few names illegal in the country are:
1) Anus
2) Monkey
3) Pluto
4) Ashleiy
5) Jakobp
Illegal baby names in Hungary
1) Stephan (but you can give them the name Stefán)
Illegal baby names in Saudi Arabia
Some of the names banned in Saudi Arabia include:
1) Malak
2) Malika
3) Nardeen
4) Maya
5) Linda
6) Alice
7) Eleen
8) Arm
9) Lauren
Illegal baby names in Mexico
1) Facebook
2) Batman
3) Hermione
4) Rambo
5) Terminator
6) James Bond
7) Rolling Stone
8) Rocky
9) Hitler
10) Christmas Day
11) Burger King
Illegal baby names in New Zealand
In 2015 these were the top 27 names rejected in 2015, which means people tried to name their children with these monikers...
1) Messiah
2) King
3) Royal
4) Prince
5) Royale
6) Bishop
7) Empress
8) Princess
9) / (symbol in the name)