Missouri’s Top Baby Names for 2026—Plus 14 Unusual Picks

Due to the fact that I have a strange name, I won't be laughing too hard at this new list of the top baby names that parents are choosing in Missouri for 2026. I'll toss in 14 new ones that are trending (and a bit odd) as an added bonus.

While I'm very suspicious of artificial intelligence, I'll admit it has its uses and this is an example. I innocently asked ChatGPT what the most popular baby names were in Missouri for 2026 and it happily obliged. (Editor's Note: it wasn't asked all that innocently) Let's begin with the top 5 baby names for boys in Missouri for the first 4 months of 2026:

1. Oliver
2. Henry
3. Theodore
4. Noah
5. Liam

Not unexpected. I've heard of many new Liam and Oliver children. But, what about the girls? Here are the top 5 Missouri parents are picking this year:

1. Amelia
2. Charlotte
3. Olivia
4. Eleanor
5. Evelyn

Is it just me or does it seem that some turn-of-the-century (as in 1900's) female names are making a comeback? There are some aunts in my family with a few of those names and (no offense intended) they aren't young anymore.

Here are 14 baby names that are currently trending in Missouri:

• Wren
• Lux
• Noa
• Zia
• Theodore
• Henry
• Eleanor
• Waylon
• Stetson
• Ember
• Oakley
• Elio
• Shepherd
• Cedar

I was given the nickname "Doc" nearly 40 years ago and it stuck (for better and for worse, but mostly for the better). My dad gave me my real first name of Jeff because he said it didn't rhyme with any bad words and I'm not even making that up. Each of my kids have names that my wife and I chose very carefully and all have family and deeper meanings. Let's hope this new generation of Missouri babies experiences the best that the years ahead offer and let's hope their names are something they love and appreciate.