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Most popular baby names of the 2010s
Did your child?s name make the list?
In 2026, America’s baby names are becoming bolder and far more unique.
According to new Google Trends data, parents across the United States are moving away from predictable naming conventions and embracing everything from double-barreled classics to entirely invented words.
‘Double barrel names’ surge
Big picture view:
Search interest in "double names" has reached an all-time high this year, with double names that start with "Mary" (such as Mary-Kate) emerging as a top related search over the past 12 months.
American parents in 2026 are embracing more unique and unconventional baby names. (Credit: Getty Images)
The trend suggests a growing desire among parents to blend tradition with individuality.
Unexpected naming styles
Dig deeper:
Among the fastest-rising searches of the year are questions such as, "is Billiam a name" and "is Iso a name," signaling curiosity around playful or unconventional creations.
The data found that parents are also increasingly focused on customizing spellings. The top all-time search in the category "different ways to spell…" is simply "different ways to spell names."
This year’s most-searched spelling variations include Ava, Nicole, Phoebe, Crystal, and Mila.
Linguists say the rise of invented names mirror broader cultural shifts toward personalization and online identity.
‘Girl names that mean…’
Dig deeper:
Google Trends also found that experimentation is extending beyond spelling into meaning. Searches for "girl names that mean chaos" and "boy names that mean darkness" are among the top trending "names that mean…" queries so far this year, suggesting parents are gravitating toward names with emotional edge, fantasy influences or darker mythology.
Meanwhile, "bear name meaning" has surged to a record high, and searches for "Artemis name meaning" jumped 250% this year, suggesting growing interest in these type names, as well.
The top trending baby name meanings in 2026 have included Brooks, Harlow, Milo, Christopher and Raya.
Trends vary by region
Local perspective:
Regional differences also reveal how naming culture continues to vary across the country.
Google Trends data noted that West Coast states are primarily searching for "Aiden," while East Coast states favor "Jayden."
Washington stood alone as the only state searching for "Jaxon" more than both "Braxton" and "Paxton."
Elsewhere, Texas is the only state where searches for "Katy" outpace "Katie," and one of just two states searching "Madeleine" more than "Madeline."
Nicknames are having a moment
Nicknames are also having a moment.
"What is Lenny short for" and "what is Pippa short for" are among the top trending nickname-related searches this year.
Wyoming and Utah, meanwhile, are the only states consistently searching the Elizabeth nickname "Liz" more than "Beth" dating back to 2004.
Bottom line: If current search trends are any indication, America’s next generation may include more Mary-Annes, Billiams, and Artemis babies than ever before.
Top baby names of 2025
The backstory:
Earlier this month, the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) released its annual lists of the most popular baby names for both boys and girls.
According to the data, Olivia and Liam were America's most popular baby names for 2025 – the seventh consecutive year both names have held the top spot.
RELATED: Most popular baby names in US revealed: See the list
Among girls, Charlotte climbed to second place, ending Emma’s six-year run in the runner-up slot.
A top-10 fixture for years, Ava dropped from the list entirely – replaced by Eliana, which debuted at number 10.
The Source: The information for this story was provided by Google Trends. This story was reported from Los Angeles.