NewsWFLA News Channel 8October 24, 2026Hillsborough County
BabyCenter predicts 2027 baby name trends driven by pop culture, television, and mythology
Photo: WFLA News Channel 8
Parenting site BabyCenter released predictions on Tuesday regarding the TV shows, cultural trends, and media that could shape popular baby names in 2027. The report highlights rising interest in names inspired by hockey-themed shows, 2000s television rewatches, Greek mythology, names starting with 'E' or containing 'X', and Wild West themes, alongside a decline in the name Taylor.
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8Why It Matters
Parents selecting names for newborns may find insight into broader cultural naming patterns, tracking shifts in popularity across television, film, and historical data compiled by BabyCenter and the Social Security Administration.
Key Facts
- BabyCenter released its 2027 baby name predictions on Tuesday.
- Hockey-focused TV series like 'Off Campus' and 'Heated Rivalry' are influencing names such as Garrett, Allie, Beau, Jules, and Ilya.
- Rewatching the 2000s show 'Gilmore Girls' is driving up the popularity of names like Rory, Dean, Richard, and Lorelai.
- Emily has maintained a top 100 status since 1973 according to the Social Security Administration.
- The upcoming 2026 release of 'The Odyssey' is tied to rising interest in Greek mythology names like Odysseus, Evander, Titan, and Perseus.
- Names starting with an 'E' account for 15 of the top 100 girls' names on BabyCenter's list.
- Names containing or starting with an 'X', such as Jaxson, Huxley, Knox, Daxton, Maximilian, Ximena, Xena, Bexley, and Onyx, are increasing in popularity.
- The name Taylor has dropped to No. 339 for girls and No. 1,093 for boys, its lowest ranking since BabyCenter started tracking 22 years ago.
- Cowboy and Wild West-inspired names are growing, with Stetson breaking into BabyCenter's top 100.
- Stetson has ranked among the top 100 baby names in at least 20 states since 2020.
- BabyCenter's top 2026 boy names so far include Noah, Liam, Oliver, Elijah, and Mateo.
- BabyCenter's top 2026 girl names so far include Olivia, Eliana, Amelia, Charlotte, and Sophia.
Who's Mentioned
locationMontana“State where Stetson registrations occurred”OrganizationBabyCenter“Parenting site that tracks and predicts baby names”locationAlabama“State where Stetson ranked among top 100 names”locationOregon“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationKentucky“State where Stetson ranked among top 100 names”locationMissouri“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationNorth Dakota“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationWyoming“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationKansas“State where Stetson ranked among top 100 names”OrganizationTaylor Farms“Mentioned in relation to the name Taylor”OrganizationSocial Security Administration“Provides rankings for baby name longevity”locationGeorgia“State where Stetson ranked among top 100 names”locationNebraska“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationLouisiana“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationUtah“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationTennessee“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationSouth Dakota“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationOklahoma“State WHERE Stetson registrations occurred”PersonSteph Coffield“BabyCenter baby name advisor”PersonTaylor Swift“Mentioned in relation to the decline of the name Taylor”locationIowa“State where Stetson ranked among top 100 names”PersonTaylor Lautner“Mentioned in relation to the name Taylor”locationMississippi“State where Stetson registrations occurred”locationIdaho“State where Stetson ranked among top 100 names”locationArkansas“State where Stetson ranked among top 100 names”locationWest Virginia“State where Stetson registrations occurred”