Are you expecting in 2026? Congratulations, what an exciting time! And whilst you’re soaking in the baby joy, your mind is probably also starting to be filled with questions like…

• What pushchair do I need?

• How long is 9 months, really?

• Where is the baby going to sleep?

• What do I name this tiny human?

While you may have had your baby names saved in your notes app from before you were even thinking about starting a family… for a lot of people the task feels a lot more daunting.  

So if you’re needing some inspiration, we’ve collated a list of the most exciting up-and-coming names for this year. From the timeless classics to trendy new names that are rising in popularity, here are our predictions for the top names of 2026.

Ophelia Meaning “helpful warrior”

Ophelia is one of our top name predictions for this year, following the success of Taylor Swift’s latest single ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ we are expecting this name to see a rise in popularity this year. It also falls within the ranks of our ‘timeless classics’ as Ophelia was the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet’.

Rhys Meaning “enthusiastic & passionate”

The name Rhys comes from Welsh origin, and its historic meaning associates the name with power and enthusiasm. The name is shared with Welsh Royalty (King Rhys ap Tewdwr), it has a classic yet modern sound that makes it an attractive name for 2026.

Violet Meaning “purple flower”

Floral names are such timeless classics; their vintage and delicate sound make for a sweet name for your little one. Violet is no different, made popular through literature characters like Roahl Dahl’s Violet Beauregarde “Violet, you’re turning Violet!” and being a much-loved name amongst celebrities. Violet is a name that withstands the tests of time.

Conrad Meaning “brave counsel” 

The name Conrad comes from German origin, meaning brave counsel. Its association makes it a powerful name for connoting wisdom and courage. In 2025, we saw the name rise in popularity due to the success of the show “The Summer I Turned Pretty”, increasing its modern appeal. We expect to see a lot more Conrad's welcomed into the world in 2026.

River Meaning “flowing body of water”

River is a gorgeous gender-neutral name derived from nature. With its calming and sophisticated sound that gives it both modern and timeless appeal.  A sweet pick for a winter baby due to its connection with Joni Mitchell’s much-celebrated Christmas song “River”, “I wish I had a River, I could skate away on.”

Arlo “Meaning between two highlands”

Arlo’s growth in popularity comes from its appealing ‘O’ sound and its relevance within pop culture. We’ve seen the name used in Pixar’s ‘The Good Dinosaur’, making it an adorable choice for little ones. Its modern sound makes it a trendy pick which we’ve seen through it being a much-loved choice amongst celebrity parents. 

Sage “Meaning a wise person”

The name Sage has positive associations with health and wisdom, making it a bright and friendly sounding name. It also has gender-neutral appeal, aligning with current trends of nature-inspired and inclusive names.

Blake “Meaning a poet”

The name Blake is commonly associated with famous Romantic poet, William Blake. It has old English-roots that give it a vintage feel while its modern popularity has grown due to the success of actors like Blake Lively. It also has a gender-neutral appeal that makes it a trendy choice for 2026.

Sunday “Meaning day of rest”

Derived from Old English "Sunnandæg" meaning day of the sun, its positive and restful connotations make it a bright and timeless name that can be shortened to affectionate and gender-neutral names like ‘Sunny’.  We’ve seen a rise in the trend of naming little ones after days of the week, with the name ‘Wednesday’ seeing a boost from its association with the Adamms Family.

Navy  Meaning “protector”

We’ve seen a lot of nature-inspired names in this list but another growing trend is the use of colours as names. Names like Hazel have been popular for a while, whereas we’re starting to see names like “Blue” rising in the ranks. And of course our top pick, Navy, is a gorgeous emerging name. Associated with bravery and loyalty, Navy is a strong gender-neutral name that we love.

We hope these names have helped to inspire you on your baby-naming journey. If you’re expecting in 2026, we are here to guide you through every baby  step of the process. Click here to begin your baby shopping journey with us.