The New Year hasn't even arrived yet but the list of 2026's most popular baby name predictions is here - and there are some surprise additions.
Naming a baby is often one of the hardest decisions parents have to make while waiting for the arrival of their little bundle of joy.
After all, you want something that captures their personality while not leaving them vulnerable to teasing or, worse, unemployable in the future based on their moniker.
And, if the current predictions are to be believed, next year parents will be flocking to failsafe names from the past for their newborn offspring.
WhatToExpect.com explained: "A classic, old-fashioned baby name that was popular in decades past may strike the perfect balance between modern sensibilities and time-honoured traditions.
"Vintage baby names may not be right for everyone, but it's good to know which ones are making a comeback."
According to their list, these are the top 25 vintage boy names that are going to be big next year:
- Ezra
- Ezekiel
- Jasper
- Grant
- Theo
- Emerson
- Ellis
- Atticus
- Edgar
- Otto
- Hank
- Isaac
- Leonard
- Nathaniel
- Otis
- Raymond
- Earl
- Ralph
- Harold
- Howard
- Paul
- Leroy
- Alfred
- Eugene
- Hugh
The options for girls are set to be just as sweet and wholesome, with these 25 set to surge in popularity:
- Charlotte
- Scarlett
- Cora
- Clara
- Rose
- Margaret
- Esther
- Adaline
- June
- Ada
- Ruth
- Lucille
- Miriam
- Millie
- Maeve
- Felicity
- Mabel
- Rosemary
- Edith
- Beatrice
- Dorothy
- Coraline
- Mildred
- Doris
- Edna
According to HappiestBaby.com, there are some other name trends that will be big next year, too.
While they predict the classics will remain most popular, they suggest that names with meanings relating to light will also be a big trend.
They predict that names like Soleil and Solana will continue to rise, as well as Goldie, Elio, Lucien, and Aurelia.
Wildflower, bird, and forest names are also tipped to be popular, with the site predicting choices including Wrenlee/Wrenleigh/Wrenley, Lavender, Marigold, and Meadow to be among those often chosen. For boys, Aspen, Forrest, and Ocean are all set to be popular choices.
It also predicts that "heritage" names will make a big comeback, with parents opting to honor their roots by giving their babies names that relate to their culture, such as Mateo, Sofia, and Mustafa.
It also predicts gender-neutral names will be big, including Rowan, Tatum, and Bellamy, as well as classic names reinvented with new spellings.
If you've read through this list and have yet to find any name that takes your fancy for your 2026 baby, that's fine too - names are completely subjective and whatever feels right is often the best choice rather than trying to follow a trend.
Either way, it seems that there will be classrooms full of Wrenleighs in a few years to come.