The top twin baby names of 2026 revealed - and there's a surprising theme

Deciding what to call your newborn baby is one of the first major decisions parents will ever make for their child. With such an abundance of monikers, choosing between timeless classics, family favourites and those with a more unique edge can be tricky. And parents bestowed with twins have an even bigger challenge on their hands.

Around 10,000 to 12,000 sets of twins are born in the UK each year, with 2026 having already welcomed over half of these. And already, there has been a running theme in this year's most popular twin titles.

Sophie Kihm, baby name expert and Editor-in-Chief at Name Berry, the world’s largest website devoted to baby names, has shared her findings on what some of the most popular twin names of 2026 are.

Speaking exclusively to HELLO!, Sophie said this year has seen a rise in twins with names that "are matching sets based on sound, theme, or style."

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Combinations that start with the same initial, for instance, Sienna and Sophia or Leo and Luca, have been popular twin choices for many years running. So too, she said, are choices with an "obvious connection" such as nature combinations like Lily and Poppy."

But we’re also seeing twin name combinations with less overt themes — matching in number of syllables (Amelia & Olivia) or ending sounds (Daisy & Alfie).

"Additionally, names that have international roots, such as Maryam & Muhammad, which both have Arabic heritage, are also becoming popular among Muslim families. Other popular combinations like Finley and Rory come from Ireland, and Willow and Oakley "feel more American".

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Girl-Girl names

Lily & Poppy

Amelia & Olivia

Elsie & Mabel

Sienna & Sophia

Florence & Isabella

Boy-Boy

Leo & Luca

Arthur & Oliver

Freddie & Theo

George & Henry

Finley & Rory

Girl-Boy

Amelia & Arthur

Willow & Oakley

Daisy & Alfie

Freya & Freddie

Maryam & Muhammad

General themes

According to the expert, 2026 has generally seen a shift in focus to names originating from particular cultures and communities around the world.

While English-origin names are leading the charge, Arabic and Indian monikers are running swiftly behind. Reflecting on some of the most popular singular baby names, Sophie explained: "Names in the top ten, like Lily, Ivy, and Elsie for girls, Oliver, George, and Archie for boys, are all English. 

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But Arabic and Indian names are rising very quickly in the UK. Muhammad, the new top name in England and Wales, is Arabic in origin."

Reem, Hadiya, and Huda are fast-rising Arabic girl names, and Hadi, Essa, and Kabir are fast-rising Arabic boy names. Trending names with (various) Indian origins include Avani, Saanvi, and Aadhya for girls, Gurnawab, Agastya, and Rudra for boys."

Elsewhere, she said that fantasy literature and film were also driving a new age of names. "As we enter 2026, parents are seeking names fueled by escapism. Literature - both romantasy and the classics - epic movies, and favourite music are driving many of our 2026 trends, including romantasy names, Brit Lit names, ancient civilisations, and showgirl names.”