Selecting the best name for your baby is a milestone every parent has to go through. However, while you might want to follow the trends of today, choosing a popular name could quickly appear outdated within just a few years.
Baby expert at Formuland, Chris Smith has been monitoring trends across the years and cautioned: « When a name becomes too trendy, it loses the very quality that attracted parents in the first place. What starts as a unique choice quickly becomes ubiquitous. In five years, these names won’t feel special anymore, they’ll just feel very 2026. »
10 baby names to avoid in 2026
Boys
Jaden (variations like Jayden, Jadon)
Previously extremely popular in the « 2000s and 2010s », Chris said « -aden » names are « beginning to feel rather dated » and could be « tied to [that] specific era » moving forward.
Magnus
Chris said: « Magnus is powerful, but it’s the kind of name that might feel like a 2026 time capsule in 20 years. It’s also quite formal and could be difficult to shorten into a casual nickname, which many children prefer as they get older. »
Azlan
Drawing inspiration from the Narnia books, this bold name’s unconventional spelling is problematic, according to Chris. He said: « Your child will spend years saying ‘Azlan with a Z’. »
River
Chris said: « River has become incredibly common, [so] if you’re choosing it for its individuality, you might be disappointed. »
Bronson
The baby expert said: « Ultra-masculine names like Bronson can box children into certain expectations and may not age well across different life stages. »
Girls
Ophelia
This Shakespearean name « is beautiful », Chris said, but the « literary association isn’t exactly positive » as the character is « known for her tragic fate ».
Khaleesi
Popular because of the TV series Game of Thrones, Khaleesi is at risk of becoming « cringe », warned Chris. « What seems cool today might make your child cringe tomorrow, » he elaborated.
« We’ve seen this pattern repeat with names from popular shows and films. The cultural moment passes, but the name remains. »
Elodie
While the « pretty » name of Elodie is « exploding in popularity », by next year « it could be the new Emma or Olivia; they’re lovely names, but so common they’ve lost their special quality ».
Azura
Likened to a « stage name », Chris advised parents to think ahead. « Think about how it will look on a CV or in a boardroom, » he urged. « Some children grow to resent names that feel too whimsical or performance-oriented. »
Deia
Such a name can be « gorgeous on paper, but people will constantly mispronounce them », Chris remarked. « Your daughter might spend her whole life correcting people, which can be frustrating. »
