From Apple to North West and Bambi, celebrities have been giving their children unusual names for years.
This week, trad wife, Nara Smith, famed for her eyebrow raising choices, named her fourth baby, Fawnie Goldie — a sister for Rumble Honey, Whimsy Lou and Slim Easy.
Meanwhile, singer Anne Marie revealed she’s named her son Forever Sugar, not in tribute to a beloved relative, but to her gestational diabetes.
Speaking on This Morning, she said: ‘Sugar is his middle name, because I had the diabetes thing that you get when you’re pregnant…so I thought: “What a perfect middle name.”‘
But unique names are no longer the reserve of A-listers. A new list has revealed the top baby name predictions for 2026 — and among many weird and wonderful choices, there’s set to be a trend for naming babies after numbers.
According to the experts at Nameberry, number names represent a more modern-day version of lineage. Instead of parents naming their kid, for example, James Anthony IV, you keep it simple, and just go for Four.
As Nameberry’s name guru Sophie Kihm explains: ‘These names can be used to honour relatives, allude to a birth order, and connect to culture.’
The trend has trickled into celebrity and pop culture over the years. For example, Blossom’s best friend in the early 90s sitcom was called Six, while Andre 3000, of Outkast fame, has a son named Seven.
But Nameberry predict it’s going to become a thing among ‘regular’ mums and dads. And while some of their suggested names are literally numbers (think Four, Eleven and Seven), parents-to-be can be a little more creative, using other languages, for example.
Sophie also cites names including Billion, Cinco, Octavia, Prima, Quade, Tres, and Una.
More baby name trends for 2026
Numbers certainly aren’t the only trend predicted for 2026: on the whole, the expert reckons that ‘amid bleak headlines and growing uncertainty, parents are turning to entertainment for escape.’
‘After losing themselves in an epic romantasy series, historical novel, anime adaptation, or reality TV show, many emerge with fresh inspiration for their baby name lists, choosing names that feel fanciful, nostalgic, or full of hope,’ Sophie explains.
With that in mind, names relating to Ancient Civilisations are also on the list, suggested as a way to keep children in touch with history.
This might refer to a more literal way of connecting with a family’s specific lineage, or an escapist way to fast-forward and honour a perhaps romanticised past, as is often the case with Ancient Greek and Roman names. Sophie’s top picks include the likes of Cassander, Johari, and Vita.
Following the release of Taylor Swift’s latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, Sophie reckons that this’ll reflect in the choices made by Swiftie parents adding to their brood in 2026.
These picks include options directly referenced by Taylor, like the ill-fated Ophelia from Hamlet, as well as those inspired by both real-life and fictional starlets, including Nomi, Reverie, Roxie, Sakina, and Tallulah.
Meanwhile, Taylor might’ve penned an entire song bidding farewell to the UK (So Long, London) on Tortured Poets Department, but in 2026, baby names evoking those so-called ‘Brit Lit’ vibes will enjoy a renaissance.
Bookworms might pick out famous character names (we’re looking at you, Eyre), as well as literary surnames and tributes to their favourite authors, with suggestions like Brontë, Conrad, and Wilde. Heathcliff, it’s me, Cathy.
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