The 16 Most Popular Baby Names Of 2026 Inspired By TV Shows

As far as baby name trends go, 2026 has been an interesting year. While location-themed names and millennial monikers were among the baby names that went out of style in 2026, mainstream pop culture is currently having a major influence on newborn naming conventions. Television and film have always been places for new parents to find inspiration; however, with shows like "Yellowstone," "Off Campus," and "Bridgerton" becoming mini-cultural phenomena among American audiences, this year in particular has seen a rise in TV-themed names. 

From Western dramas to Greek mythology, these increasingly popular baby names capture a unique vibe that will set your child apart from others. Whether you're looking for a name that projects power, charm, grace, or timeless beauty, these TV-inspired monikers will provide plenty of inspiration. As these trendy names are predicted to remain popular throughout 2027, you don't have to worry about them feeling dated in just a few months.

Western clothing, media, and overall aesthetics are on the rise. And, thanks to "Yellowstone," Wild West-inspired baby names are growing increasingly popular. The beloved Taylor Sheridan show has spawned a cultural phenomenon around it — including multiple spin-offs with similar country vibes. Naturally, some have become so enamored with the series that they've chosen to name their children after their favorite characters. The Western vibe of "Yellowstone" main character names is both charming and rustic, which makes for surprisingly evergreen choices. 

If you're searching for the perfect name for your son, look no further than the "Yellowstone" leading men. Stetson, Tate, and Walker are among the fan-favorite male characters in the series, which has made their names (especially Stetson) the biggest hits with new parents. For baby girls, "Yellowstone" character names like Monica have similarly risen in popularity in the years since the show's premiere. So if you're a Wild West enthusiast, you may find inspiration from these "Yellowstone" monikers.

According to BabyCenter, Charlotte and Violet were among the top 20 baby names of 2026 — with Charlotte ranking 4th overall for girls. If you are a fan of Netflix's "Bridgerton," these names are especially recognizable. Queen Charlotte is the indomitable force at the center of the series, whose  origin story was told in the hit spin-off "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story." It's no surprise that the classic name would be revived in recent years, as the show's massive reach would have influenced popular culture even indirectly. 

Similarly, the name Violet is also used in the series for the Bridgerton family matriarch. Violet leads her family with strength and kindness above all else, which also makes her a thoughtful reference for any child's name. The success of "Bridgerton" isn't the only influence on the popularity of Violet, however; this moniker is among the vintage floral baby names from the '30s and beyond that are still beautiful today.

Eloise has also staged a huge comeback in 2026, and we can't help but wonder whether this is due to the popularity of everyone's favorite Regency-era heroine, Eloise Bridgerton. For boys, Anthony has remained a steadily popular name this year, perhaps partly inspired by Jonathan Bailey's charming character.

Greek mythology has been a fixture in mainstream culture for centuries. From classic literature to modern television and film, the figures, themes, and stories created for these legends have been revived time and time again. In 2026, however, Greek mythology has re-emerged into pop culture in a major way, particularly thanks to the second season of Disney Plus series "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." Ancient Greek-inspired names are among the baby name trends you're going to see everywhere in 2027, and fans can turn to the "Percy Jackson" franchise for inspiration. 

Ares, the Greek god of war portrayed by Adam Copeland in the series, has been steadily rising in popularity since the turn of the millennium. Then there's Thalia, who was one of the famous muses in Greek mythology, and the increasingly popular Nico. While this isn't strictly a mythological name, it does sound similar to Nike, the goddess of victory, and shares a similar meaning: "victory of the people." Even Perseus, which can be shortened to "Percy" as both a cute nickname and a coy reference to the titular protagonist of "Percy Jackson", has been floated by parents who want an especially old-school name for their child.

With romance-dramas like "Heated Rivalry" and "Off Campus" taking pop culture by storm, ice hockey has become media's hottest new phenomenon. Given the heavy romantic theming of these shows, you may think that viewers will have trouble finding baby name inspo while watching. However, many new parents have been inspired by "Off Campus," the Amazon Prime show based on the first book in the best-selling series of the same name. The leading man and romantic interest Garrett is one name that has enraptured parents this year, as well as Dean — which similarly stands out for its unique, old-school appeal.

For girls, "Off Campus" leading ladies Hannah and Allie have also become increasingly popular with parents in 2026. Hannah has consistently been a common name choice for parents for decades. However, thanks to the massive influence of shows like "Off Campus," the name has been given new life. If you're a fan of the ice hockey romance genre, these names may be for you.