Longer baby names are back. These 15 ideas stand out from the crowd.

Over the past decade, baby names seemed to be shrinking. Parents embraced compact choices, shortened names and increasingly used nicknames on birth certificates. But new data from BabyCenter suggests that longer names are once again rising in popularity. 

In 2023, three- and four-letter names made up 24% of BabyCenter's most popular choices, including Mia, Noah and Ava. The average length of boys' names fell from 5.76 letters in 2015 to 5.63 in 2023, while girls' names dropped from an average of 6.03 to 5.67 letters. Names like Alexander or Isabella became Alex or Ella, while one- or two-syllable choices such as Liam, Ezra, Emma and Mia grew in popularity.

"The shorter the name, the easier it is to say and spell, and that appeals to a lot of families, especially ones with longer or more confusing last names," Steph Coffield, baby name advisor for BabyCenter, tells Yahoo. "Short baby names tend to feel more approachable and laid-back, plus the 'nicknames as first names' trend has gotten quite popular over the years."

While short names are still in vogue, more and more parents are now opting for longer baby names instead. The average length of boys' names has rebounded to 5.70 letters, while the average for girls' names has risen to 5.80. Those differences may seem small, but BabyCenter says they are meaningful when measured across thousands of names.

"There is one type of name that is always in fashion, and that's a classic or traditional name. Those tend to be the longer ones," says Coffield. "Naming trends tend to change as we get used to seeing one style, and it's only natural that parents are drawn to something different again."

The change is already visible in the top baby names of 2026 so far. Amelia, Eliana, Charlotte, Isabella, Aurora and Evelyn all appear in BabyCenter's current girls' top 10, with Oliver, Elijah and Elias on the boys' list. At the same time, shorter names such as Noah, Liam, Leo, Emma and Ellie remain near the top, as longer names seem to be broadening parents' options rather than replacing shorter choices altogether.

Beyond the current rankings, several longer names are climbing quickly. Eleanor, Eliana, Amelia, Isabella, Gianna, Evelyn and Penelope are among the girls' names rising through the ranks. Each has multiple syllables, a melodic sound and plenty of nicknames. For boys, Sebastian, Alexander, Julian, Elias and Theodore are gaining popularity. These established, often historic, names feel polished and substantial while offering more approachable nicknames such as Seb, Alex, Jules, Eli and Theo.

The appetite for longer names may also help explain renewed interest in double baby names. Pairings such as Emma Claire, Olivia Mae, Liam Mateo and Noah Gabriel combine familiar names that are easy to spell and pronounce to create something distinctive and personal. 

Long baby name ideas

Long baby girl names to consider 

• Athena: Take inspiration from The Odyssey, with this Greek name. 

• Florence: Big in Britain but still relatively uncommon in America, it made the top 10 in the U.K. last year but sits at No. 391 in the U.S. 

• Caroline: Netflix's recent Little House on the Prairie revival has brought fresh attention to this timeless name. 

• Elizabeth: A classic four-syllable name with plenty of modern nickname possibilities, including Beth, Lizzie and Bess. 

• Persephone: You'd be hard-pressed to find a name longer or more striking than this. It also offers a variety of nicknames, like Pip, Seffy and Effie. 

Long baby boy names to consider 

• Jeremiah: This Hebrew name, used for one of the leads in The Summer I Turned Pretty, can be shortened to Jer, Remy, Jem and more. 

• Giovanni: This lyrical Italian classic has the appealing nickname Gio. 

• Christopher: Popular nicknames for this traditional choice include Chris, Topher, Kit and Kris.

• Sullivan: This charming Irish name can be shortened to Sully. 

• Augustine: Meaning "great", this Latin name can be abbreviated to the sweet and playful Auggie. 

Long gender-neutral baby names to consider 

• Indiana: Place names remain popular, and Indiana is a musical, soft-sounding option that can be shortened to Indy, Indie or Indi. 

• Cameron: Originally a surname, Cameron became a popular boys' name but is also great for girls — like Nafessa Williams' character in Rivals. 

• Maverick: This American name, which will no doubt conjure up an image of Tom Cruise in Top Gun, is confident and adventurous — a fitting choice for children with spirit. 

• Addison: A British name that's also the name of a town in the Dallas area, Addison can be shortened to Addie, Sonny, Didi and more. 

• Montgomery: This grand European name works for any gender and can be softened with the nickname Monty.