Most popular baby names for 2026 set to be 'inspired by iconic celebrities'
Baby naming experts have predicted pop culture is about to play out in a whole new generation born in 2026.
Apparently, babies are brought into the world in July, August and September more than any other months of the year - which if you cycle back nine months, indicates the holidays - between Thanksgiving to New Year - is just as frisky as it is festive.
With the Christmas spirit now well underway, naming experts have dropped what they predict new parents will lean towards should they anticipate a bundle of joy joining them in 2026.
Interestingly, My 1st Years say vintage names as well as celebrity and culture-influenced names are leading the way, particularly names of iconic noughties couples.
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The pros say Jude and Sienna are on track to be the top two names of choice for 2026, more than two decades since the names burst in popularity thanks to actors, Jude Law and Sienna Miller.
The pair were the 'it' couple in the early 2000s, after meeting on the set of Alfie and got engaged on Christmas Day that year.
However, the spark didn't last as The Holiday star famously had an affair with his children's nanny, triggering a tumultuous on-off 'situationship' that led to their brief split in 2006 before reconciling again in 2009, and finally calling it quits for good in 2011.
Relationship woes aside, the pros say Jude has swung back in favor thanks to a resurgence in The Beatles hit, 'Hey Jude', following the announcement of a biopic on the British band, The Beatles - A Four-Film Cinematic Event, starring Paul Mescal, Harris Dickinson, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan, set to hit theaters in April 2028.
Parents are also said to be taking inspo from the England and Real Madrid footballer, Jude Bellingham.
As for Sienna, the 43-year-old The Girl star recently hit headlines for announcing her third pregnancy, after debuting her bump at the Fashion Awards in London earlier this month.
Her name is already proving popular as Love Island star, Olivia Bowen, settled on a variation of her name for her baby girl born in August, Siena, spelt the same as the Italian city.
My 1st Years add British royal, Princess Beatrice, 37, called her first daughter Sienna when she was born in 2021.
The experts add both Jude and Sienna 'have been under the radar picks in recent years', ranking seventh on its baby boys and girls list for 2025.
Molly Ejdowski, spokesperson for My 1st Years, said: “We’ve seen a huge swing towards shorter names this year, particularly names which can’t be shortened – and Jude is a great choice for this.
“While it’s slightly longer with three syllables, Sienna ticks a lot of boxes because it has both modern and timeless qualities, it’s difficult to shorten, and it’s a pretty, Italian-inspired choice."
It's not just the celebs themselves that will influence those born in the so-called Beta generation, but also the names of their own offspring.
“Names with one or two syllables are having a real moment and, having been recently chosen by celebrity parents, Ziggy and Palma will be big name picks next year," Molly continued.
TV personality Jamie Laing and his wife Sophie Habboo welcomed their first child, a boy named Ziggy, on December 4.
The naming experts say the name will particularly appeal to Davie Bowie and Ziggy Stardust fans, while searches for 'Ziggy name meaning’ and 'what is Ziggy short for' increased by more than 5,000 percent after the couple announced the their bundle of joy.
Ziggy, of German origin meaning 'victorious protector', ranked low down at 603rd for popular names over the past two years, but is set to make a comeback for those looking for a twist on Zachary or a rarer name.
Inspiration is also likely to come from cultural moments, like the popular romantic fantasy book series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, with names like Lucien, boosted further by season 5 of Emily in Paris, which dropped on Netflix on December 18.
From the books, Feyre is also tipped to be a popular but 'quirky girls' name choice' of the year.
Meanwhile, Wicked: For Good, the second movie starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, came to theaters in November this year, which My 1st Years say could go on to influence a new baby girl's name - Elphie, shortened from Erivo's character, Elphaba.
It's a 'cute moniker in keeping with the trend for short names,' the experts say.
As for the top choices, My 1st Years say Freddie and Lily remain undefeated in the top spots.
Liv Bridge