Best-selling fantasy fiction is predicted to be the biggest influence on baby names in 2026, as expectant parents draw inspiration from popular fictional characters, new research suggests. For girls, experts foresee a surge in the name Violet, inspired by the protagonist of 2025's top-selling book, Onyx Storm, penned by Rebecca Yarros.

The name was already among the top 50 favourites, but with over 2.7 million copies of Onyx Storm flying off the shelves this year, it's expected to break into the top 30 for 2026. For boys, the name Rhys, taken from the character Rhysand in the fantasy series, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.

Maas, is tipped to gain popularity. With more than 1.8 million TikTok posts dedicated to the series, and most Google searches for Rhysand recorded after Februa

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