Name of the generation for babies born in 2026 finally revealed - it might surprise you

There’s talk that a new label could soon be added to the long list of generational names, with babies born in 2026 potentially getting their own title.

Over the years, we’ve seen familiar groupings like Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (Gen Y), and Gen Z. Gen Z typically includes those born between 1996 and 2010, while Millennials are those born from 1981 to 1996. More recently, Gen Alpha has been used to describe children born between 2010 and 2024.

From Boomers and their technological ineptitude to the apparent entitlement of Millennials, there will undoubtedly be unwanted stereotypes bestowed on this newly-touted generation, with AI set to have a large bearing on their upbringing.

What will the new generation of babies be called?

Some reports suggest that babies born from 2026 onward may be referred to as Generation Sigma. While it’s still early and the name isn’t officially established, the idea reflects expectations about how future generations will grow up.

Gen Sigma is expected to be even more digitally fluent than those before them, likely growing up deeply connected to artificial intelligence and rapidly advancing technology. Given how quickly AI is evolving, it seems likely that children born in the coming years will be even more comfortable navigating a highly digital world.

However, there’s some uncertainty around the naming. Earlier reports had already introduced another term, Generation Beta, which is expected to include those born between 2025 and 2039, directly following Gen Alpha. That overlap has led to questions about whether “Generation Sigma” will actually stick or just become another informal nickname.

What researchers are saying about the new generation

Social researcher and futurist Mark McCrindle, who originally coined the term Gen Alpha, has shared insights into what the next generation might face, a group he named "Generation Beta". He wrote that this new group “will inherit a world grappling with major societal changes.”

He added: “With climate change, global population shifts, and rapid urbanization at the forefront, sustainability will not just be a preference but an expectation.”

McCrindle also predicts that by 2035, Gen Beta could make up around 16% of the global population and grow up in a world heavily shaped by artificial intelligence.

Meanwhile, some experts are raising concerns about how technology is already affecting younger generations. Neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath has argued that Gen Z may be experiencing cognitive drawbacks linked to heavy tech use. Speaking to a U.S. committee, he said: “More than half of the time a teenager is awake, half of it is spent staring at a screen.”

He went on to explain: “Humans are biologically programmed to learn from other humans and from deep study, not flipping through screens for bullet point summaries.”

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