most popular baby names in australia 2026
the complete guide to trending, popular and unique baby names for australian parents — girl names, boy names, gender neutral picks and aboriginal names with meanings.
jessie is a parenting writer and name nerd based in melbourne. she tracks baby name trends across australian state registries.
choosing a name is one of the biggest decisions you will make as a new parent. whether you want something classic, something trending or something completely unique — this guide covers the most popular baby names in australia for 2026, based on the latest data from state births registries.
we have pulled together the top 20 girl and boy names, the fastest rising names, gender neutral options, and a selection of aboriginal names with their meanings.
top 20 baby girl names 2026
| rank | name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte |
| 2 | Olivia |
| 3 | Amelia |
| 4 | Isla |
| 5 | Mia |
| 6 | Ava |
| 7 | Willow |
| 8 | Harper |
| 9 | Ella |
| 10 | Grace |
| 11 | Chloe |
| 12 | Matilda |
| 13 | Ivy |
| 14 | Luna |
| 15 | Zoe |
| 16 | Sophia |
| 17 | Evelyn |
| 18 | Hazel |
| 19 | Lily |
| 20 | Frankie |
top 20 baby boy names 2026
| rank | name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Oliver |
| 2 | Noah |
| 3 | Leo |
| 4 | Jack |
| 5 | Henry |
| 6 | Theodore |
| 7 | Liam |
| 8 | Charlie |
| 9 | William |
| 10 | James |
| 11 | Archie |
| 12 | Lucas |
| 13 | Oscar |
| 14 | Ethan |
| 15 | Hudson |
| 16 | Luca |
| 17 | Hugo |
| 18 | Thomas |
| 19 | Harrison |
| 20 | Sebastian |
trending names in 2026
these names are climbing the rankings fast. they may not be in the top 10 yet but they are on track to get there.
nature names — names like willow, sage, river and ivy continue to grow. parents are drawn to names that feel grounded and earthy.
vintage revival — old-fashioned names like aurelia, theodore, hugo and maeve are back. grandparent-era names feel fresh again.
short names — punchy one or two syllable names like kit, kai, arlo and ivy are trending. easy to spell, easy to say.
gender neutral baby names
gender neutral names have been steadily growing in popularity across australia. here are 20 names that work beautifully for any baby.
aboriginal baby names and meanings
the names below come from publicly shared aboriginal language resources. aboriginal australians are the custodians of one of the oldest living cultures on earth, and many of these names carry deep connection to country, nature and spirit. if you are considering an aboriginal name, we encourage you to learn about the language group it comes from and to use it with respect.
tips for choosing a baby name
say it out loud with your surname
the flow matters. say the full name a few times — does it feel natural? watch out for awkward rhymes or sounds that run together.
check the initials
write out the first, middle and last initials. make sure they do not accidentally spell something unfortunate.
think about nicknames
most names get shortened. if you love the name theodore but hate theo, that is worth knowing now.
check popularity if it matters to you
if you want something unique, search the NSW or VIC births registry to see how many babies got that name last year. if you love a popular name, do not let the numbers put you off.
use the middle name as a backup
the middle name is a great place to honour a family member, use a more adventurous name, or give your child options later in life.
sleep on it
you do not have to decide before the baby arrives. in most states you have 60 days to register the birth. take your time.
where the data comes from
the name rankings in this guide are based on births registry data published by the NSW Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages and the Victorian Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages. we use the most recent full-year data (2024-2025) and project forward based on trending patterns.
individual state registries may show slightly different rankings — a name that is number one in victoria might sit at number three in queensland. the lists above represent a national picture based on the two largest states by birth volume.
related guides
this guide is for informational purposes only. name rankings are based on publicly available births registry data and projected trends. actual 2026 rankings will depend on final registration figures published by each state. mini mode is not affiliated with any government registry.