Greek-inspired names are predicted to dominate baby name trends in 2027, according to experts at British name label manufacturer My Nametags. Film and TV characters, along with popular musicians, are expected to influence parents' choices for the coming year.
Greek-Inspired Names on the Rise
For girls, the name Athena is expected to climb the charts, inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. The name currently sits at number 90 in the top 100 girls names, and My Nametags anticipates it will make the top 50 in 2027. In Christopher Nolan's 2026 film The Odyssey, Athena is portrayed by actress Zendaya.
For boys, the name Troy is inspired by the ancient city in modern-day Turkey, made famous by Homer's epic poem Iliad. The name symbolizes strength, ancient times, and heroism, and it is also the starting point of The Odyssey. With a 98% spike in Google searches when the film was released, it is expected to be a popular choice for expectant parents.
Percy and Persephone Gain Popularity
The name Percy, after the character Perseus 'Percy' Jackson from the live-action TV reboot Percy Jackson & the Olympians, is also predicted to rise. With the third season set to premiere on Disney+ in November 2026, My Nametags predicts Percy will enter the top 100 boys names in 2027.
Persephone is expected to see a surge in interest, starring in the 2026 TV adaptation of the Regency romance novel Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden. The name also appears as a main character in Anaïs Mitchell's folk, jazz, and blues musical Hadestown, which retells the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.
Music and Film Influence Names
After Greek-inspired names, musicians are expected to have the biggest influence on baby names in 2027. The name Michael is predicted to rise again, boosted by the biographical film about Michael Jackson, starring his nephew Jaafar Jackson. The film saw hit song Billie Jean soar to No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200, Spotify Global, and Billboard R&B Digital Song Sales.
Bonnie Tyler's 1983 hit Total Eclipse of the Heart surged on music charts and streaming platforms during the total solar eclipse this August. Spotify streams jumped by 94% in the UK, marking the platform's biggest single-day jump for any song. The name Bonnie is also associated with the actress recast to play Ginny Weasley in the second HBO series of Harry Potter. My Nametags predicts Bonnie will climb into the top 50 girls names next year.
Viral singer Raye is set to influence names after her song Where Is My Husband! reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Raye's second album, This Music May Contain Hope, recently won the 2026 Mercury Award.
Damon, Joseph, and Hannah Expected to Trend
The name Damon is inspired by Matt Damon, the actor behind The Odyssey's main character, Odysseus, which has grossed approximately $1.79 billion worldwide. Damon is an ancient Greek name meaning "to tame," "subdue," or "conquer," making it a strong choice for parents.
Newcomer actor Joseph Zada stars in the latest instalment of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, set for release in late 2026. My Nametags expects a resurgence in popularity of the name Joseph, jumping up from its current spot at 59.
The name Hannah is inspired by Hannah Wells, the main character of hit series Off Campus, which drew 36 million viewers in just twelve days. Disney's Hannah Montana also marked its 20-year anniversary with a special episode featuring Miley Cyrus earlier this year.
Lars B Andersen, Managing Director at My Nametags, said: "We've been tracking name trends for more than twenty years and see how time and again how parents' choices are influenced by the media and pop culture. 2026 has been the year of escaping reality and leaning into the mythical, which really echoed in some of the key film and TV moments of the year. Films have always been a strong indicator of baby name trends, but with younger parents attending the cinema more and more, the popularity of this year's blockbusters has taken this to new heights."
Top baby girl name predictions for 2027: Bonnie, Athena, Hannah, Persephone, Raye. Top baby boy name predictions for 2027: Damon, Michael, Troy, Percy, Joseph.
