The most popular baby names of 2026 are in. Here's why so many start with E.

The most popular baby names of 2026 have been revealed — and Olivia and Noah are still the favorites, according to BabyCenter data. But while the top names are holding steady, there's been a shake-up elsewhere in the top 10.

The Social Security Administration's (SSA) official list of this year's top baby names won't be available until May 2027, but BabyCenter's ranking of the most popular names of the year offers an early look at the choices parents are gravitating toward, along with some emerging trends.

Unlike the annual SSA rankings , which are based on applications for Social Security cards, BabyCenter's data comes from names that parents submit in real time through its app. That makes it less of an official ranking and more of a live snapshot of the names gaining traction right now.

In the girls' list, Eliana has jumped to the second spot, and Evelyn has risen five places to No. 9, joining the top 10. On the boys' list, Elias has entered the top 10 for the first time, and Leo has rejoined the list at No. 10, after falling out last year.

See BabyCenter's top 10 for girls and below, compared to 2025.

Of all 26 letters in the alphabet, E is the current favorite for girls. The vowel makes up 15% — the highest share — of BabyCenter's top 100 names. Three E names feature in the top 10 list alone: Eliana, Emma and Evelyn.

The name Eliana, in particular, is one to watch. It has climbed from No. 14 to No. 2 in two years — a rise that Steph Coffield, name adviser for BabyCenter, calls "meteoric." She adds, "If it continues with this momentum, we predict that it may become the top name next year."

Knocking Olivia off the top spot would be quite the achievement. It has been No. 1 on BabyCenter's list for six years. The SSA numbers tell a similar story: Olivia has topped its list for seven years running. Noah has held the top spot on BabyCenter's boys' list for four years in a row, whereas Liam has remained the SSA's No. 1 choice since 2017.

Just like the girls' list, names starting with the letter E are popular picks for boys too. J may lead the boys' top 100 with 14 options, but it doesn't have a single name in the top 10, while E has three: Elijah, Ezra and Elias.

Baby names beginning with E that featured in BabyCenter's top 100 lists

Coffield says that E names strike a great balance between modern and traditional. "They feel new and cool," she says, "but are still soft and melodious."

Right now, baby names are in their "soft era," according to Coffield, meaning that names with lots of vowels and soft consonants — like L, M and S — are very popular. "Eliana and Elias are perfect examples of how trendy these soft 'E' names are," she explains. "Both made big jumps in BabyCenter's top 10 this year."

E names come with plenty of options. Some of the most favored are long, such as Eleanor, Elizabeth and Emilia, but plenty are short, such as Emma, Ella and Eden. "It just goes to show how versatile 'E' is; whether you want a name that's short and sweet or long and elegant, there's an 'E' name out there for you," says Coffield.

The flip side of E's popularity is that the most-loved names are quickly becoming very common. If you want an E name that's more distinctive, here are some lesser-used options to consider.

Each of the suggestions below has been cross-checked against the SSA and BabyCenter's baby name records to ensure none currently appear in the top 1,000 list.

Emmylou: A combination of Emma ( meaning "whole") and Lou (meaning "warrior") that's the name of musician Emmylou Harris.

Edie: This Old English name is often a diminutive of Edith and means "prosperous in battle."

Elspeth: A Scottish name, Elspeth means "God is my oath."

Eudora: Of Greek origin, this vintage-sounding name means "good gift."

Erasmus: This Greek name means "beloved, desired."

Ender: Originating in Turkey, this baby name means "extremely rare."

Euan: Meaning "Yew," this Scottish name is strong and has close ties to nature.

Edmund: Closely linked to Edward, this Old English name means "fortunate protector."