Pop Culture Drives 2027 Baby Name Trends: Eliana, Ilya, and Stetson Lead the Charge

Key points

• Noah and Olivia remain the top names for boys and girls, respectively, in 2026.
• Eliana jumped from No. 7 to No. 2 for girls, the year’s biggest surprise.
• Names starting with 'E' account for 15% of top 100 girls’ names; 'J' leads boys at 14%.
• Pop culture drives 2027 trends: 'The Odyssey' boosts Atlas and Perseus; 'Yellowstone' lifts Stetson and Walker; 'Heated Rivalry' and 'Off Campus' elevate Ilya, Garrett, and Allie.
• Longer names are trending, with 31% of top boys’ names having 7+ letters; Christopher is the longest at 11 letters.
• Vintage names like Dean (first top 100 appearance this century) and Gilmore Girls-inspired names (Lorelai, Rory) are rising.

Background

Baby name trends have increasingly reflected pop culture in recent years. In 2026, the release of Christopher Nolan’s 'The Odyssey' and the success of hockey dramas like 'Heated Rivalry' and 'Off Campus' have directly influenced naming choices. Additionally, the announcement of a 'Gilmore Girls' documentary has revived interest in Stars Hollow names. These cultural moments, combined with a broader trend toward longer and vintage names, are shaping the 2027 landscape.

How outlets are covering it

NBC News and USA Today both highlight BabyCenter’s data, emphasizing Eliana’s rise and the impact of 'The Odyssey' and 'Yellowstone.' NBC News notes the 'E' and 'J' initial trends and the decline of Taylor, while USA Today details the top 10 lists and the 'Taylor fatigue' phenomenon. New York Family offers a different perspective, focusing on 2027 predictions from Nameberry, including celestial, coastal, and World Cup-inspired names like Romi, Coast, and Enzo, which are not mentioned in the BabyCenter data. This highlights a divergence between data-driven trends (BabyCenter) and predictive, theme-based forecasts (Nameberry).

Why it matters

Baby names reflect cultural shifts, and the 2026-2027 trends show a move toward epic, vintage, and pop-culture-inspired names. This indicates a desire for distinctiveness and a connection to broader cultural narratives, from Greek mythology to Western aesthetics and sports dramas. The decline of Taylor also signals a shift away from overexposed names, suggesting parents are seeking more unique and meaningful choices.

What to watch

BabyCenter predicts that the trends of 2026 will continue into 2027, with names from 'The Odyssey,' 'Yellowstone,' and hockey dramas remaining popular. Eliana may overtake Olivia as the top girls’ name if its momentum holds. Longer names and vintage picks like Dean are expected to gain further traction. Nameberry’s predictions suggest a rise in celestial, coastal, and World Cup-inspired names, indicating a diverse and evolving naming landscape.