Top changes that will affect baby names in 2027

Choosing a baby name is equal parts fun and stressful. My clients come to me when they want a name that is modern yet unusual, loved… but not too popular. Choosing the right name can feel like a huge responsibility. Luckily, name inspiration can (and does!) come from anywhere, with TV, movies, music, and celebrities often influencing our favorite names of the moment.

Although I see some names come up time and time again with my clients, the BabyCenter name database is the real source of truth about what’s going on. That’s because the BabyCenter program is where hundreds of thousands of parents register their children’s names. We then anonymize and aggregate the data, showing the real ups and downs.

Join me in looking at what inspires you to name next year’s big names, and you might just find the perfect name to add to your list.

What the game of hockey holds in our hearts will be reflected in our list of names

It’s been a great year for hockey, both in and out of the rink: The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs were the most watched on ESPN.It will open a new window – no doubt thanks to two TV romances that bring new fans into the fold.

I can’t go a day without hearing someone mention these shows – and parents are looking to them for baby name inspiration. BabyCenter Parents is a favorite from Prime Video’s Off Campuswith all the following names increasing: Garrett (up 128 spots, up to No. 659), Allie (up 39 spots, up to No. 635), Beau (up 15 spots, up to No. 57), and Jules (up 1,271 spots for girls, up to No. 1,675). With a second season expected to debut in 2027, I predict that these names are about to become even more popular.

And I can’t forget about Ilya – the Russian heartthrob on the list of enemies and lovers Hot Race. The name is making big waves with BabyCenter parents, climbing more than 6,000 spots, to No. 2,197 for boys.

The Wild West will invite parents

Names inspired by cowboys and rugged Westerns are on the parenting list — and these classic names aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

For boys, Stetson is in BabyCenter’s top 100 for the first time, climbing 46 spots, to No. 95. Also, there is Walker (up to 19, up to No. 74), Callahan (up to 88, up to No. 271), Wilder (up to 107, up to No. 414), and 5 Gunner (No.

For girls, Oakley is back in the top 100 after falling last year – climbing 52 spots, to No.

Parents should look for names with the ‘X’ factor

If you want a name that’s tough and bold, one with an X can do the trick. I see many parents adding X to names that were written without before, and I predict that 2027 will be the year of X.

For boys, you have Jaxson (up 24, up to No. 93, and back in the top 100 for the first time since 2022); Braxton (up to 30, up to No. 121); Knox (up to 27, up to No. 164); Daxton (up to 73, up to No. 372); Maximilian (until 553, until No. 871); and Xaiden (to 481, to No. 1,097).

For girls, there is Ximena (up to 35, up to No. 178); Alexandra (up to 44, up to No. 312); Xiomara (up to 99, up to No. 400); Xolani (to 477, to No. 831); Xena (up to 544, up to No. 872); and Bexley (up to 51, up to No. 925).

And several X names are not related to gender: Onyx has 152 spots, up to number 238 for boys, and 306 spots, up to number 994 for girls; and Huxley climbs 308 spots for boys, reaching No.

Names from Gilmore Girls we will be encouraged after our annual fall

It’s the time of year when the desire to curl up with a giant cup of coffee and drink Gilmore Girls to beat. I love seeing the oldest names on the show pop up right now. And it’s GG’s notesIt will open a new window in the works, I’m sure the characters’ names will continue to make other waves.

For girls, Rory is ranked 31st, up to No. 243; and Lorelai tops 12, up to No. 289. For boys, Luke is above 7, to 35; Christopher is in the top 4, up to No. 90; Dean is in the top 31 spots, that No. 100; and Richard is up 29 places, up to number 337.

The Greek gods will provide the inspiration for the name

Greek mythology features larger-than-life figures with cute and interesting names – and a Christopher Nolan adaptation. The Odyssey bringing the Bronze Age back into focus, BabyCenter parents are writing articles. I see parents leaning towards names from Greek mythology when they want a bold name that is unique and has a lot of personality.

The titular Odysseus tops 1,456 spots, up to No. 3,279 for boys – but parents are inspired by some stories from Greek mythology, too. Boys’ names on the rise include Atlas (up to No. 5, up to No. 51); Ares (up to 32, up to No. 248); Orion (up to 9, up to No. 251); Troy (up to 9, up to No. 529); Evander (up to 128, up to No. 657); Titan (up to 557, up to No. 1,017); and Perseus (to 249, to No. 1,247).

And for girls, there is Iris (up to 18, up to No. 30); Lydia (up to 38, up to No. 86); Daphne (up to 42, up to No. 246); and Gaia (up to 307, up to No. 927).

The letter of the year will be ‘E’

E is the number one baby girl name – 15% of BabyCenter’s top 100 baby girl names start with E. And for good reason – they feel classy but relatable at the same time.

Interestingly, Eliana is in the top 5, reaching number 2, being ranked in the top five girl names for the first time; and Evelyn is up 5 spots, reaching number 9, returning to BabyCenter’s Top 10 for the first time since 2023.

Other E girls’ names making the charts are Evangeline (up 50, to No. 121); Elsie (up to 23, up to No. 124); Esme (up to 222, up to No. 212); Elowyn (up to 96, up to No. 267); Eliora (to 220, to No. 284); Elaine (up to 143, up to No. 295); Elodie (up to 87, up to No. 300); Estrella (up to 311, up to No. 820); Elia (to 446, to No. 878); and Evelina (up to 224, up to No. 880).

Taylor will be removed from the roster

From Taylor Swift’s wedding to the Taylor Farms lettuce he remembers, and even though Taylors Lautner has a child (with the middle name Taylor, of course), the name Taylor has been very popular recently. It seems parents are tired of hearing it. I haven’t heard a parent come up with the name Taylor in a while, and I don’t expect to see it on anyone’s short list next year.

BabyCenter’s data agrees: Taylor is down 24 spots, to No. 399 among girls (the lowest it’s ever been in the 22 years BabyCenter has been sharing naming data), and down 262 spots, to No.

The way

BabyCenter has identified and analyzed the most popular baby names since 2004. The most popular baby names that will influence baby names in 2027 report analyzes the names that are rising and falling from BabyCenter parents’ submissions (and pull Oct. 5, 2026). This data contains the names of more than 350,000 children born from Jan. 1 to Oct. 5, 2026. In cases where two or more names have the same number of children in a given year, ties are broken by dividing the titles alphabetically.