THE GREAT BABY NAME GLOW-UP! HOW COWBOY COOL, SHOWGIRL STYLE AND MEANINGFUL MONIKERS ARE SHAPING 2026

BabyCentre, the UK’s leading pregnancy and parenting destination, reveals its Top 100 Baby Names of 2025 and much-anticipated predictions for 2026, uncovering the trends shaping next year’s choices

• Cowboy Cool boy names surge, inspired by Yellowstone, country music & Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter.
• Showgirl Energy drives a rise in pop-star-powered girl names such as Dua, Nana and Lara.
• Aura Points meaning-rich names climb rapidly, as parents seek names full of personality and positive energy.
• Glow-Up Names shine, with Ayla, Clara and Nora illuminating the charts.
• Romantic Heroes replace cheeky-chappy choices, influenced by the boom in romance books and series.

From pop icons and K-pop queens to cowboy culture, the biggest influencers of 2025 aren’t just shaping our playlists and wardrobes, they’re inspiring what parents are naming their babies, according to BabyCentre’s Top 100 Baby Names of 2025.

2025’s Top Trending Names

Analysing thousands of registrations from its community, BabyCentre, working with Baby Naming Expert and author SJ Strum, has identified the biggest climbers within this year’s Top 100. These fast-rising names, whilst not the most popular overall, demonstrate a sharp rise in popularity, suggesting they’ll be among the most sought-after choices in 2026:

GIRL'S NAME	2025	2024	INCREASE	BOY'S NAME	2025	2024	INCREASE
Anaya	50	86	36	Caleb	17	50	33
Eliana	5	38	33	Austin	62	91	29
Ayla	18	45	27	Luke	45	73	28
Ruby	27	54	27	Jesse	42	66	24
Maeve	26	52	26	Ibrahim	53	76	23
Raya	72	97	25	Omar	70	93	23
Lara	63	87	24	Kai	38	60	22
Emma	54	76	22	Asher	41	62	21
Chloe	31	51	20	Musa	60	81	21
Clara	66	85	19	Ali	36	55	19

The Baby Name Trends Defining 2026…

This year’s naming trends embrace individuality, emotion and empowerment, with romantic boy names rising fast, girl-power favourites gaining momentum, and aura-rich monikers climbing the charts. Together, these themes reveal the five key trends shaping what parents will be choosing in 2026:

1. Life of a Showgirl

If 2025 belonged to the women of pop, then 2026 will be the year their names take centre stage. The influence of chart-topping female artists has danced straight into BabyCentre’s Top 100 Baby Name charts, inspiring parents to choose names fit for the next generation of pop princesses.

Girl names inspired by today’s chart-topping queens:

• Dua – Meaning “answered prayer,” a new entry at 80, boosted by the rise and reign of Dua Lipa.
• Olivia – Long-loved but given a fresh edge by pop-rock powerhouse Olivia Rodrigo.
• Lily – Given fresh, Y2K-nostalgia momentum thanks to Lily Allen’s late-2025 resurgence.
• Lara – Rising in star quality, reflecting Lara Raj of K-pop-inspired group Katseye.
• Nana – a cosy-vintage, K-pop–inspired name (from After School’s Nana) is a surprise new entry at 90.

BabyCentre’s Baby Naming Expert, SJ Strum comments: “Parents are picking names that celebrate strong, expressive female voices. These names feel bold, artistic and full of personality! Much like the women inspiring them.”

2. Cowboy Cool

With country music topping the charts, Yellowstone dominating screens and Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter bringing boots-and-hat energy back into fashion, cowboy culture has also lassoed baby naming trends. From leather looks on runways, to Barbie embracing Western glam, parents are falling for names that feel outdoorsy, grounded and full of adventure.

Top boy names bringing cowboy spirit into 2026:

• Caleb – Meaning “faithful,” and packed with rugged charm.
• Austin – Representing “magnificence” and evoking big-sky Americana.
• Luke – “light-giving,” a timeless, strong-willed staple.
• Jesse – From the Hebrew meaning “God’s gift,” it’s also a classic country favourite.

Junior – New to the charts at 88, it’s a name meaning “younger,” echoing traditional Southern practice.

3. Aura Points Phenomenon

Modern parents want a name with meaning: a name that reflects personality, values, and positive energy. Inspired by the viral social media Aura Points trend, which ‘rates’ names on qualities like kindness, strength and joy, Aura Points names are rising fast. These characterful, meaning-rich names prove that what a name represents matters as much as how it sounds.

Top Aura Names for Boys & Girls:

• Maeve – An “intoxicating,” name with flair and character.
• Myla – Meaning “merciful,” is rising fast in popularity.
• Gianna – A “gracious,” a modern favourite with heart.
• Esme – which means “esteemed,” and represents poise and distinction.
• Ahmad – “Praised,” adding depth to traditional roots.
• Caleb – Meaning “faithful,” combining strength and dependability.
• Asher – Representing “happiness” and positivity
• Jude – Meaning “praised,”
• Ronnie – For the future “advisor,” and ruler!

SJ adds: “Aura Points isn’t just a trend, it’s a reflection of how parents are thinking about names today. “Parents want names with personality and values built in. Aura Points names carry meaning, character and positivity, and that’s exactly what modern families are drawn to.”

4. Glow-Up Names

The Glow Up trend is transforming the name popularity lists and celebrates names that shine with meaning, beauty and brightness. These names are strong in symbolism and style and strike the balance between timeless charm and modern appeal.

2025’s Top Glow-Up Girl’s Names:

• Ayla – Meaning “halo of light,”
• Clara – A “bright,” classic name that’s sparkling with renewed energy.
• Nora – Representing and radiating “light,”
• Nur – Meaning “illumination,” is elegant and has global appeal.

Zahra – From the Arabic word zahara, meaning to “shine” or blossom.

5. Romantic Heroes

Gone is the era of cheeky-chappy names. Romantic Hero names have dominated 2025, reflecting a shift toward valuing sensitivity, kindness and emotional intelligence. With romance books and series soaring in popularity across all genders, from The Summer I Turned Pretty to The Love Hypothesis, parents are choosing names that feel lyrical, heroic and expressive.

Top Romantic Boy Names in 2025:

• Alexander – The “defender.” A strong, classic choice newly entering the Top 100 at number 43.
• Nathaniel – Meaning “gift of God,” offering elegance and depth.
• Adriel – Representing the “flock of God,” bringing a poetic, spiritual touch.
• Ibrahim – Meaning “father of many.” A name rooted in tradition, yet modern in appeal.

Gabriel – Meaning “man of God,” a timeless name with romantic resonance.

 

Faye Mingo, Growth Officer, BabyCentre comments: “Baby names are always a reflection of the cultural moment, and this year our data shows exactly what’s capturing parents’ imaginations. With millions of parents engaging with BabyCentre every year, our community gives us unparalleled insight into the real-time decisions modern families are making.

“2025 has been one of the most expressive naming years yet, with choices driven by identity, intention and personal values. As the UK’s largest pregnancy and parenting destination, through our new baby names tool on our app, we’re uniquely positioned to track how these trends evolve, and this year’s Top 100 reveals a generation that are naming with heart, culture and confidence.”

BabyCentre is the UK’s go-to destination for pregnancy and parenting reaching millions of new and expectant parents each month. The Top 100 Baby Names List reveals the biggest baby name themes capturing parents’ imaginations in 2025. Download the free BabyCentre app and explore the Baby Name Shuffle tool to discover the perfect baby name and build your personalised shortlist.