Top 100 Baby Names for 2026: Boys and Girls

Looking at baby name popularity helps parents understand which names are being chosen most often in a given year. In 2026, naming trends continue to favor a balance between familiar classics and newer names influenced by global culture, nature, and modern lifestyles.

This ranking presents the most popular baby names for boys and girls in 2026. Names are grouped alphabetically to make the list easier to explore while preserving the full Top 100 selection.

Boys’ Names

The first group of popular boy names in 2026 includes many established classics alongside modern favorites. These names are widely recognized and have remained strong choices across recent years.

• Aaron - High mountain
• Abel - Breath
• Adam - Man, earth
• Adler - Eagle
• Aiden - Little fire
• Alexander - Defender of the people
• Amir - Prince, commander
• Andrew - Manly, brave
• Archer - Bowman
• Asher - Happy, blessed
• Atlas - Bearer of the heavens
• August - Great, magnificent
• Axel - Father of peace
• Beckett - Beehive or brook
• Benjamin - Son of the right hand
• Bennett - Blessed
• Bodhi - Awakening, enlightenment
• Brooks - Small stream
• Caleb - Faithful, devoted
• Calvin - Bald, hairless
• Carter - Transporter of goods
• Charles - Free man
• Christian - Follower of Christ
• Cole - Charcoal, victory
• Colton - Coal town

This section reflects a strong preference for biblical names and internationally familiar options, many of which are short, versatile, and easy to pronounce.

• Connor - Lover of hounds
• Cooper - Barrel maker
• Daniel - God is my judge
• David - Beloved
• Declan - Man of prayer
• Dylan - Son of the sea
• Eli - Ascended, uplifted
• Elias - Yahweh is God
• Elijah - Yahweh is God
• Elliot - Jehovah is God
• Emmett - Universal
• Ethan - Strong, firm
• Everett - Brave as a wild boar
• Ezra - Help
• Felix - Happy, fortunate
• Finn - Fair
• Gabriel - God is my strength
• Gideon - Hewer, warrior
• Grayson - Son of the steward
• Henry - Ruler of the estate
• Hudson - Son of Hudde
• Ian - God is gracious
• Isaac - He will laugh
• Isaiah - Salvation of the Lord
• Jack - God is gracious

Names in this group balance tradition with modern usage, including many options that work well across cultures and languages.

• Jackson - Son of Jack
• Jacob - Supplanter
• James - Supplanter
• Jasper - Treasurer
• Jaxon - God is gracious
• Jeremiah - God will uplift
• John - God is gracious
• Jonah - Dove
• Jonathan - God has given
• Joseph - God will increase
• Joshua - God is salvation
• Josiah - God supports
• Jude - Praised
• Julian - Youthful, downy
• Kai - Sea
• Knox - Round hill
• Leo - Lion
• Levi - Joined, attached
• Liam - Resolute protector
• Lincoln - Town by the pool
• Logan - Little hollow
• Luca - Bringer of light
• Lucas - Light-giving
• Mason - Worker in stone
• Mateo - Gift of God

The final group of boy names highlights enduring classics, nature-inspired choices, and surname-style names that continue to rise in popularity.

• Maverick - Independent, nonconformist
• Micah - Who is like God
• Miles - Soldier, merciful
• Nathan - He gave
• Noah - Rest
• Nolan - Champion
• Oliver - Olive tree planter
• Owen - Young warrior
• Parker - Park keeper
• Rhodes - Where roses grow
• River - Flowing water
• Roman - Citizen of Rome
• Rowan - Little red-haired one
• Ryder - Horseman
• Samuel - Heard by God
• Sawyer - Woodcutter
• Sebastian - Venerable, revered
• Silas - Of the forest
• Theo - Gift of God
• Theodore - Gift of God
• Thomas - Twin
• Wesley - Western meadow
• Weston - Western town
• William - Resolute protector
• Wyatt - Brave in war

Girls’ Names

Popular girl names in 2026 reflect elegance, strength, and versatility. This first group includes many widely used classics alongside modern favorites with international appeal.

• Abigail - Father's joy
• Addison - Son of Adam
• Adeline - Noble
• Alice - Noble
• Amara - Eternal
• Amelia - Hardworking
• Anna - Grace
• Aria - Air, song
• Ariana - Most holy
• Athena - Goddess of wisdom
• Aubrey - Elf ruler
• Aurora - Dawn
• Autumn - Season
• Ava - Bird or life
• Avery - Ruler of elves
• Bella - Beautiful
• Camila - Young ceremonial attendant
• Caroline - Free woman
• Charlotte - Free man
• Chloe - Blooming
• Clara - Clear
• Cora - Maiden
• Daisy - Flower
• Delilah - Delicate
• Eden - Paradise

This group highlights names with strong meanings and cultural depth, many of which have remained popular for several years.

• Eleanor - Bright, shining one
• Elena - Bright light
• Eliana - God has answered
• Eliza - Pledged to God
• Elizabeth - God is my oath
• Ella - Fairy maiden
• Ellie - Bright shining one
• Emilia - Rival
• Emily - Rival
• Emma - Universal
• Esme - Esteemed, beloved
• Evelyn - Desired
• Everly - From the boar meadow
• Freya - Lady, goddess of love
• Gianna - God is gracious
• Grace - Grace
• Hadley - Heather meadow
• Hailey - Hay meadow
• Hannah - Grace
• Harper - Harp player
• Hazel - The hazelnut tree
• Iris - Rainbow
• Isabella - Pledged to God
• Isla - Island
• Ivy - Vine

Short, friendly names and modern nature-inspired choices continue to shape the middle of the popularity list.

• Jade - Stone
• Josephine - God increases
• Julia - Youthful
• Juliana - Youthful
• Juniper - Evergreen shrub
• Kennedy - Helmeted chief
• Layla - Night
• Leah - Weary
• Leilani - Heavenly flower
• Lila - Night
• Liliana - Lily
• Lillian - Lily
• Lily - Flower
• Lucy - Light
• Luna - Moon
• Lydia - Beautiful one
• Madeline - High tower
• Madison - Son of Maud
• Maeve - She who intoxicates
• Magnolia - Flower
• Maisie - Pearl
• Margaret - Pearl
• Maya - Illusion
• Mia - Mine
• Mila - Gracious

The final group includes enduring favorites and names known for versatility and long-term appeal.

• Naomi - Pleasantness
• Natalie - Birthday of the Lord
• Nora - Light
• Nova - New
• Olive - Olive tree
• Olivia - Olive tree
• Penelope - Weaver
• Piper - Flute player
• Quinn - Wise
• Rose - Flower
• Ruby - Red gem
• Sadie - Princess
• Scarlett - Red
• Sienna - Orange-red
• Sofia - Wisdom
• Sophia - Wisdom
• Stella - Star
• Thea - Goddess
• Valentina - Strong
• Victoria - Victory
• Violet - Purple
• Vivian - Alive
• Willow - Willow tree
• Wren - Small bird
• Zoe - Life
• Zoey - Life

Final Thoughts on Baby Name Trends in 2026

The Top 100 baby names for 2026 highlight a year where familiarity and individuality continue to coexist. Many parents gravitate toward names with lasting appeal, while others prefer modern options shaped by culture and nature.

Using popularity rankings as a reference can help you understand broader trends, but the right name is ultimately the one that feels meaningful to your family. Exploring how names rise and fall over time can provide valuable context as you make your decision.