Much like fashion trends, the popularity of baby names ebbs and flows over time.

Influences such as global events, celebrity figures, and significant moments in pop culture heavily influence the names that parents gravitate towards each year.

Names like Charlotte and William have seen a resurgence, largely due to their association with the British Royal Family.

Conversely, some names that were once considered timeless have witnessed a steep decline in popularity.

Names burdened with negative societal connotations often see their appeal vanish swiftly, and the year 2026 will likely continue this trend.

The Daily Mail has consulted experts to identify which names expectant parents should steer clear of, along with the reasons behind these recommendations.

Pamela Redmond, CEO of Nameberry, and Colleen Slagen, baby name consultant at Naming Bebe, have revealed the latest trends as well as how to avoid a naming faux pas by suggesting current alternatives.

So, is your baby name on the list? 

Jeffrey 

Jeffrey, a variant of Geoffrey, derives from Germanic roots meaning ‘pledge peace.’

The name reached its peak in the US in 1966 and has been declining steadily for the past 60 years. [according to TK source]

But even still, nearly 600 boys were named Jeffrey in 2024, the most recent year counted in the US. [source]

‘Many of those little Jeffreys were undoubtedly named for dads and grandpas, but we expect the name to fall off the charts completely when the baby names for 2025, 2026 and beyond are counted due to Jeffrey Epstein’s notoriety,’ Redmond explained, talking about the late American financier, convicted sex offender and socialite. He died by suicide in a New York prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.

‘Alternatives, if you still want to name your baby boy after grandpa Jeff, [include] Jefferson,’ she added.

‘Another alternative, given that Jeffrey has a peace-related meaning, [is] the popular Oliver, because of the olive branch, or the wise Solomon, which means peace.’

Similarly, Slagen said that ‘Jeffrey is a quintessential millennial classic that not only feels a little dated at the moment, but now has a very negative association.’

She suggested Jordan as a millennial alternative that has ‘nostalgic appeal to parents right now.’

Andrew 

Andrew is a classic masculine name of Greek origin, meaning manly, strong or courageous.

It was a top ten name in the US in the 1990s and early 2000s but had started to sink further in recent years. [source]

The moniker is now set to plummet further due to the disgrace of the former Prince Andrew, according to Redmond.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has faced scrutiny over his close friendship with convicted sex offender Epstein.

The former Duke of York was arrested earlier this year for ‘misconduct in public office’ and was officially stripped of his royal titles and privileges by King Charles III in October 2025.

‘Andrew’s arrest and ouster from the royal family is sure to drive the name further south in the English-speaking world,’ she said. ‘Though, its longtime popularity – it’s always ranked in the US top 100 – means it qualifies as a family name for many.’

To get around any potentially negative connotations, she suggests Drew as a unisex alternative.

For those who aren’t married to some version of that once-royal moniker, Redmond has other ideas.

‘Trending New Testament names such as Felix and Silas, or other names that mean strong, such as Matilda for a girl or Griffin for a boy, should be considered,’ she said.

Elon 

Elon is a primarily masculine name of Hebrew origin, meaning ‘oak tree’ or ‘strong tree.’

It has experienced fluctuating popularity over the years, but made the top 1,000 three times (1885, 2018 and 2021). [source]

But now, the name is more polarizing than ever.

‘[Elon] Musk made his biblical nature name famous. But today, naming your baby Elon is akin to buying a Cybertruck, branding you as a supporter of the DOGE meister,’ Redmond declared.

‘Alternatives include Oak, which has the same meaning, Judge, as the biblical Elon was a judge, and Zebulon, as in the bible, Elon was a member of the tribe of Zebulun.’ 

Tesla founder Musk recently topped the billionaires list for the second year in a row and is the richest person ever recorded, worth a whopping $839billion according to Forbes.

While in the past, his tech reputation for Tesla and SpaceX was admired by many, his role in President Donald Trump’s administration has left a sour taste in the mouths of many people around the world.

Musk was appointed by Trump to helm the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial federal commission, which saw major cuts to foreign aid agency USAID and the Education Department.

Donald 

The name Donald is of Scottish origin and means ‘ruler of the world’ or ‘proud chief.’

It was last truly fashionable in the late 1920s and 1930s, but according to Nameberry it should soon be coming back in style thanks to the Hundred-Year Rule – a theory that suggests names return to fashion a century after an initial surge.

‘While some parents are still naming their babies Donald after the president or, more likely, grandpa Don, this name is now officially on the notorious list because of Trump,’ Redmond said.

‘Naming your baby Donald today would be majorly MAGA.’

Slagen told the Daily Mail that ‘Donald is a deeply loaded choice, shaped both by Donald Duck and Donald Trump – no matter your perspective, it carries strong associations.’

Alternatives include other traditional Scottish boys’ name, such as Callum, which means peace, or Lachlan. 

Equally, Ray might suit parents ‘looking for a throwback that feels fresh again,’ Slagen said.

Harvey 

Harvey is a boy’s name meaning ‘battle worthy’ or ‘strong in battle.’ 

The name was ‘on a straight uphill run in the US until it stumbled from 2017 to 2021, when disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein was arrested and tried,’ Redmond explained.

She believes the name has somewhat recovered its footing, now ranking number 244 in the US, [according to what data source] though it’s fallen off the UK top 100. 

Weinstein was accused by over 80 women of sexual harassment, assault or rape spanning decades, sparking the global #MeToo movement which gained viral popularity on social media starting in 2017.

He was convicted in New York in 2020 and Los Angeles in 2022 for sex crimes.

[Do we have alternates for this name too? place here if so please] 

Meghan 

The name Meghan is primarily of Welsh origin and means ‘pearl.’

But the moniker has been on a rollercoaster popularity ride.

‘The name Meghan peaked in the 1980s and early ’90s but fell off the top 1,000 in the US in 2013,’ Redmond said.

‘It had a brief upturn in 2018 when Meghan Markle and Prince Harry married, but has now fallen off the top 1,000 again – probably for good (or at least for 100 years).’ 

Redmond attributed the downfall largely to Markle being an unpopular figure for many.

Markle remains a polarizing figure both in the UK and US. 

Critics have often described her as divisive and self-interested but supporters claim she has been the victim of unfair scrutiny since she married into the royal family.

Her alternatives include stylish forms of Margaret, such as Marguerite or Margot, Pearl or Daisy, taken from the flower’s French name, marguerite.

Beckham 

The name Beckham is primarily of English origin, meaning ‘homestead by the stream.’ 

According to Redmond, ‘the surname of the soccer star David and wife Victoria rose into the Top 200 for boys in the US in 2023 and 2024.

‘But the famous family’s feud is sure to knock the name down the charts over the coming years.’

Shortly before Christmas 2025, their son Brooklyn blocked his parents on Instagram. In January, he posted a brutal, bombshell, six-page letter on the social media platform in which he claimed David and Victoria controlled him for most of his life. 

He also alleged they tried to split him and wife Nicola Peltz up, and left him embarrassed when his mother danced ‘inappropriately’ with him during his first dance at his wedding. All of which the Beckhams have denied.

Suggested alternatives for the name include short form Beck and other popular soccer player names such as Kylian and Declan. 

Melania 

Melania is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning ‘black,’ ‘dark’ or ‘dark-skinned.’

‘Fans of First Lady Melania Trump pushed the name into the top 1,000 in the US only once, in 2017, but we see it continuing to sink into oblivion,’ Redmond told the Daily Mail.

Melania, wife of President Trump, suffered a recent controversy over her documentary, with democratic lawmakers raising questions about a $40million deal with Amazon MGM Studios for the film.

She also sparked outcry over a jacket she wore in 2018 to a detention center for migrant children, which had ‘I Really Don’t Care, Do U?’ written on the back. The jacket sparked major backlash over its tone-deaf nature.

Alternatives for this moniker now include the Anglo-Saxon form Melanie, as well as other names that mean dark, including the Arabic Lila or Layla and Raven.

Karen  

The name Karen primarily originates from Danish, serving as a short form of Katherine and meaning ‘pure’ or ‘chaste.’

It was long considered a ‘boomer classic,’ Slagen said, before noting that ‘its fall has been swift thanks to its evolution into a cultural shorthand for a… “Karen.”‘

The name is now considered a cutting insult used to describe a middle-class white woman perceived as entitled, demanding or racist.

It was given to more than 40,000 girls during its US peak in the 1960s, but the name fell off the US charts in 2020. [source]

A more modern – and appropriate – alternative is Maren which feels ‘fresh, classic and cool,’ Slagen added.

Alexa 

Alexa is a female given name of Greek origin, meaning ‘defender’ or ‘defender of mankind.’ 

It was a popular name in the US until 2013, when Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa was released. [source]

And that appears to have marked the beginning of the end for the moniker – despite other famous faces, such as British fashion designer Alexa Chung, remaining popular icons.

‘No thank you to the Bezos branding team on this one,’ Slagen said jokingly.

Instead, she suggested the name Amara for your little one.