Eliana Ousts Olivia as UK's Top Baby Name After 20 Years

Eliana has overtaken Olivia as the most popular baby girl name in the UK for the first time in 20 years, according to the latest data from parenting platform BabyCentre. Eliana, pronounced Ellie-Ah-Nah, rose four places to claim the top spot, ending Olivia's two-decade reign.

Riviera Chic and Other Trends

BabyCentre baby naming expert and author SJ Strum said: “It's no surprise to see Eliana reach the top of the charts. Parents are increasingly looking for names that feel special and memorable, that will also grow effortlessly with their child. Eliana captures the ‘Riviera Chic’ mood perfectly: elegant, meaningful and timeless.”

Strum explained that ‘Riviera Chic’ names evoke a sense of ease, inspired by lemon-print interiors and relaxed European style. “These are luxury names that have taken a first-class ticket to the top of the baby name charts – imagine a jumper casually slung over their shoulders and a perfectly poised parasol in hand.” Other names rising within this trend include Otis (up 38 places), Christian (up 62), Elliott (up 26), Rio (up 102), Nico (up 26), Liora (up 309), Iris (up 1), Ottilie (up 38), and Talia (up 22).

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Gothic Romance and Grandmillennial Styles

BabyCentre also noted the rise of ‘Gothic Romance,’ moving from niche subculture into the mainstream, fueled by renewed interest in romantic period dramas and literary classics such as Wuthering Heights. Names rising within this trend include Azriel (up 59), Dhruv (up 112), Ezekiel (up 83), Levi (up 30), Zane (up 82), Noor (up 71), Imani (up 176), Zahra (up 25), Rosa (up 87), and Aurora (up 8).

The ‘Grandmillennial’ trend represents a return to nostalgic, traditionally styled names. Rising names include Hazel (up 53), Joy (up 62), Winnie (up 96), Penelope (up 43), Daphne (up 103), Rupert (up 110), Finn (up 26), Robin (up 68), Jasper (up 50), and Jonah (up 62).

Television's Influence

Television continues to shape baby naming trends. The UK’s TV adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s Rivals has fueled a renewed appetite for retro and character-led names. Freddie rose five places to enter the top 10 for boys, while Rupert climbed 110 places, Sarah rose 36, and Valerie entered the BabyCentre charts for the first time.

Strum added: “Baby names have always reflected the world around us, and in 2026 that influence is coming from an increasingly wide range of cultural sources. Parents are not choosing in isolation, they’re absorbing names from the shows they’re watching, the aesthetics they’re saving online, and the cultural moments that define everyday life.”

Faye Mingo, Chief Marketing Officer at BabyCentre, said: “As one of the UK’s leading sources of baby name data, we continue to see how wider cultural influences are reflected in naming patterns. Our data reflects not just naming choices, but the world parents are preparing to welcome their children into.”