The topic of baby names always seems to interest people.
Whether it's parents eager to find the 'rarest' baby names for their tots, or possibly know all they can about the 'vintage' monikers which have since made a comeback or even investigate AI's predictions of the most popular choices over the next 10 years - it's clear the subject of newborn naming is a buzzy one indeed.
Not only can they tell us a lot about a child's parents, but they can also tell us heaps about what went down during a particular birth year and a generation's major pop culture influences at the time of birth.
And now, a baby expert has urged anyone expecting a child in 2026 to avoid these 10 specific monikers and revealed the reasons why.
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Chris Smith, operations manager and baby expert at Formuland, has been tracking naming patterns and shared his predictions that 2026 will see a surge in escapist, media-inspired names.
However, while names that wouldn't look out of place in romantasy novels and historical dramas may sound all whimsical and lovely now, Chris warns that not every trending name is worth choosing.
"When a name becomes too trendy, it loses the very quality that attracted parents in the first place," the expert explained. "What starts as a unique choice quickly becomes ubiquitous. In five years, these names won't feel special anymore, they'll just feel very 2026."
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He continued: "It's also worth doing the ‘playground test’ and the ‘resume test’. Imagine calling the name across a busy park. Does it feel natural? Then picture it at the top of a job application. If a name passes both tests, you're on the right track. Trust your instincts over trends.
"If you genuinely love a name and it feels right for your family, don't let popularity alone put you off. But if you're choosing something mainly because it's trendy right now, that's worth pausing to reconsider."
So, without further ado, let's get into what Chris reckons is the top five boys and girls name which are expected to dominate 2026 and why he urges parents to avoid them.
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Ladies first.
1. Ophelia
Chris notes that while Ophelia sounds romantic and sophisticated, with allusions to Shakespeare and classic literature, it does carry some unfortunate baggage and is becoming increasingly common among trendy parents.
And, with the new 'The Fate of Ophelia' track released by Taylor Swift earlier this year, you can imagine that many will be keen on this one!
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"Ophelia is beautiful, but it's everywhere right now," the expert said. "Plus, the literary association isn't exactly positive, either. It's worth considering whether you want your daughter's name tied to a character known for her tragic fate."
2. Khaleesi
Yes, Game of Thrones may be legendary right now, but Chris warns that pop culture names inspired by recent TV phenomena can date incredibly quickly.
"What seems cool today might make your child cringe tomorrow," he warned. "We've seen this pattern repeat with names from popular shows and films. The cultural moment passes, but the name remains."
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3. Elodie
You can't help but think of French elegance when you hear the name Elodie - something which Chris says is driving its current popularity. However, he notes, the problem is that it's having such a major moment that it's losing its distinctive quality.
"Elodie is pretty, but it's exploding in popularity right now," said Chris. "By 2026, it could be the new Emma or Olivia. They’re lovely names, but so common they've lost their special quality."
4. Azura
Now this is a very pretty name - that's undeniable.
However, Chris points out that it's quite stylised and may not translate well into formal or professional environments.
"Azura sounds like a stage name, which is fine if that's the vibe you want," he explained. "But think about how it will look on a CV or in a boardroom. Some children grow to resent names that feel too whimsical or performance-oriented."
5. Deia
And last on the girl name list is Deia.
Chris notes that names with adjoining vowels and minimal consonants are predicted to surge in 2026, adding that names like Deia, Aya, and Amael look beautiful written down, but they often create pronunciation confusion.
"These names are gorgeous on paper, but people will constantly mispronounce them," he added. "Your daughter might spend her whole life correcting people, which can be frustrating."
And, now, onto the boys.
6. Jaden (and variations like Jayden, Jadon)
Up first on the apparent no-go name list for boys is Jaden.
According to Chris, the '-aden' ending has been super popular for the past two decades, but it's now experiencing a significant decline.
Other examples include Jayden, Brayden, and Aiden which the expert says have saturated playgrounds across the country.
"These names were everywhere in the 2000s and 2010s," Chris explained. "While they're still being used, they're starting to feel quite dated. The name could feel very tied to a specific era as they grow older."
7. Magnus
Chris acknowledges that Magnus has that bold, fantasy-hero quality that's attracting parents right now.
While it sounds striking and distinctive, he notes that names that feel heavily tied to current pop culture trends can become very of-the-moment.
"Magnus is powerful, but it's the kind of name that might feel like a 2026 time capsule in 20 years," he warned. "It's also quite formal and could be difficult to shorten into a casual nickname, which many children prefer as they get older."
8. Azlan
You can't hear Azlan without thinking about Narnia.
Clearly, the name choice draws clear inspiration from literary characters, but with an unconventional spelling twist. Christ notes that the problem is that unique spellings of familiar-sounding names often create lifelong spelling corrections.
"Your child will spend years saying ‘Azlan with a Z’ every time they introduce themselves," the baby expert pointed out. "It's a burden that might seem small now, but it adds up over a lifetime of form-filling, coffee orders, and email introductions."
9. River
Chris notes that nature-inspired names have climbed the charts as parents look for more meaningful and earthy choices, with River becoming a particularly popular choice.
However, he highlights that's precisely why it might be worth reconsidering.
"Nature names are lovely, but River has become incredibly common," Chris said. "If you're choosing it for its individuality, you might be disappointed when your son shares the name with multiple classmates."
10. Bronson
According to Chris, Bronson exemplifies the trend of surname-style first names with a rugged, masculine feel.
While some parents may love that, Chris notes that the challenge is that these names can feel very tied to specific trends and may carry quite heavy expectations.
"Ultra-masculine names like Bronson can box children into certain expectations and may not age well across different life stages," he outlined.
Obviously, naming your child is totally up to you, but it's always interesting to hear what the experts make of it all!
Rhiannon Ingle