Baby name expert SJ Strum, known for appearances on This Morning, has shared her top alternative girl names for parents seeking something different from the crowd in 2026. Her suggestions aim to give daughters a "cool it girl edge" while avoiding names that might make them stand out in the wrong ways at school.
Alternatives to Popular Names
For Olivia, which has topped girl name charts for five years, SJ recommends the more unique Ophelia, noting its literary namesake and Taylor Swift's hit "The Fate of Ophelia." She also suggests Verity, meaning truth, as a beautiful name matching Olivia's vibe with a cool edge.
For Lily, a leading name since Victorian days, floral and nature-inspired options like Posie, Marigold, Hyacinth, and Dahlia serve as brilliant alternatives. Poppy sits at number seven and Ivy at number nine, showing the enduring popularity of such names.
Vintage and Goddess-Inspired Choices
Timeless vintage choices like Amelia can be substituted with Aurora or Eliana. For Isla, Alba, meaning fair, emerged as one of the fastest-climbing girl names in the top 500, while Iris is an exceptional choice for those drawn to Isla but finding it overly common.
Names from the 1800s like Daphne, Harriet, Winifred, or Pearl offer charm and elegance. Goddess-inspired names are gaining traction, with Athena, Celeste, or Phoebe, goddess of the moon, all making excellent choices for Freya alternatives.
Classic Nicknames and Ella-Style Names
Classic nicknames used as given names never go out of fashion. SJ's favourites include Tess, Bessie, Willa, and Sylvie as rare gems in this style. For Isabella, elegant Arabella or charming Luella are recommended.
Parenting site The Bump has revealed that Mia is a surprisingly popular name for 2026, though they highlight a "retro-cute" trend featuring names like Evelyn, Harper, Eleanor, and Ophelia, as SJ suggested. For something more playful, light, and breezy, mums and dads on The Bump have also been drawn to Lyra, Ayla, and Freya.
