Overview

• Nameberry published a forecast of 2026 baby-name trends organized into ten themed categories with illustrative examples.
• Sophie Kihm describes the predicted trends as shaped by escapist media that channel idealized pasts and imagined futures.
• The Showgirl category is linked to Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl, with picks such as Ophelia, Roxie and Farrah expected to gain attention.
• Anime-inspired names are predicted to rise, with Nameberry pointing to increased travel to Japan and streaming availability on platforms like Netflix.
• Unconventional groupings include Number Names such as Billion, Cinco and Four, and a Straight Out of Utah set featuring Brighton, Bronson and Coast, which drew a mix of praise and derision on TikTok from creators like Sonya (the BB Namer).