Professional baby namer predicts 2026 trends as 'pardon my french' names to become popular
If you’ve ever been bored on the internet, you’ve probably typed in the meaning of your name to try and figure out if your parents named you something profound.
For example, Olivia - the most popular girls name in the UK - is of Latin origin, meaning ‘olive tree’.
Meanwhile, Muhammad, which officially overtook Noah as the top baby name for boys in 2023, translates to ‘the praised one’ or ‘worthy of praise’.
According to Colleen Slagen, who runs a baby name consultation business in America, people are gradually gravitating toward short, four-letter names, citing that they feel ‘effortlessly cool and nickname-proof’.
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The former nurse said that Indi, Gwen, Elio, and Bode make this particular list.
But what else is likely popular for 2026? And why does she believe ‘Pardon My French’ names are going to have their real moment in the sun?
‘Andi Anderson’ style names
The professional baby namer recently spoke to People about 2026 trends, claiming that anyone who is having a baby next year may want to tap into certain, hyper-specific genres.
The first is that many mothers and fathers may be choosing traditional male monikers for their little girls.
“Us millennials have never forgotten Kate Hudson’s iconic role as Andi Anderson in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” she reasoned.
“So much so that it’s influencing our baby naming. Parents are using names for their daughters that are traditionally used for boys.”
These can include names such as Drew, Dylan, Stevie, and Logan, according to the expert.
What are ‘Pardon My French’ names?
For a baby name to fit into the ‘Pardon My French’ category, it must straddle the line of being ‘classic, but not too popular’, according to Slagen.
“When everyone is looking the other way at the same time, a trend is born along with the baby. French names have a classic elegance that people are really drawn to.”
If you’re expecting a girl, then Camille, Margot, Colette, and Beatrice nail the Pardon My French trend.
Have a boy on the way? You may want to try Sebastian, Hugo, Louie, or Patrice on for size.
According to Motherly, these French-inspired names are ‘romantic, refined, and rich in meaning’.
“They strike a balance between vintage charm and modern minimalism, making them especially appealing to today’s parents,” the experts added.
“Parents are revisiting the past with a fresh perspective.
“In a fast-moving world, these names bring a sense of calm and thoughtfulness. A sense of story. Of softness. Of soul.”
Other 2026 baby name trends
If naming your child a traditional boys name isn’t on the cards, and you don’t fancy plucking a French tag out of the list, then don’t worry— Slagen has some more options.
‘Merriam-Webster’ names have gained traction among celebrities, the expert revealed.
“Everybody remembers where they were when Gwyneth Paltrow named her daughter Apple, and has trickled down to us normal folks," she explained.
“It’s a way for people to pick something that is very unique as a baby name, but a word that is familiar/easy to say and spell.”
Her final trend for 2026 baby names are ‘sustainably sourced names’; monikers that evoke a sense of nature while not ‘feeling quite as hippie as names like Clover’.
Names that slot into this classification include Star, Dove, Rocky, and Stone.
Ella Scott