With a new year comes new opportunities, fresh starts, and for some, big life changes. Those changes may come in the form of a growing family.
Baby name experts have issued their predictions for some of the hottest names they think we’ll see in 2026. While gender-flex names are still popular, the return of classic feminine and masculine names has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Many parents also reject trends and think outside the box when naming their babies. We’ve compiled a list of country-inspired names for parents-to-be to consider. We’ve included names inspired by country music artists from the past and present, as well as monikers that every country boy or girl would be proud to be called.
Check out our list below!
Gender-Neutral Names
Most of these names have landed on top baby name lists before, but we thought it was worth suggesting them again. They are also names that could be for either gender and are clearly nods to some of country music’s biggest talents.
- Carter (The Carter Family, June Carter Cash)
- Brooks (Garth Brooks and Brooks & Dunn)
- Riley (Riley Green)
- Blake (Blake Shelton)
- Morgan (Morgan Wallen)
Girl Names
Feminine baby girl names are making a big comeback, as are vintage names. For parents wanting to keep with trends, the comeback is a great way to honor some of country music’s most beloved stars.
- Chesney (Kenny Chesney)
- Lainey (Lainey Wilson)
- Dolly (Dolly Parton)
- Loretta (Loretta Lynn)
- June (June Carter Cash)
- Ella (Ella Langley)
- Whitley (Keith Whitley)
- Audrey (Audrey Faith Hill)
Boy Names
Some of our favorite baby boy names are unique or rarely heard and have a masculine air. Our list includes a few classics, along with some country music-loving parents-to-be should consider.
- Austin (Austin Post aka Post Malone)
- Campbell (Glen Campbell)
- Judd (The Judds)
- Chet (Chet Atkins)
- Charlie or Charley (Charlie Daniels, Charley Pride)
- Jones (George Jones)
- Cash (Johnny Cash)
- Jennings (Waylon Jennings)
- Jackson (Alan Jackson)
- Nelson (Willie Nelson)
RELATED: 21 COUNTRY STARS WHO HAVE LOTS OF CHILDREN
Country-Inspired Names
Possibilities for country-inspired names are almost endless. Whether it’s a name attributed to a country singer, beloved actors and actresses who are known for their roles in westerns, legendary wild west characters, southern cities, or brands associated with the country aesthetic, no names are off limits. Here are some of our favorites:
- Stetson (Stetson cowboy hats)
- Levi (Levi jeans/denim)
- Lane (Lane Frost)
- Clint (Clint Eastwood)
- Dale (Dale Evans Rogers, wife of Roy Rogers)
- Jane (Calamity Jane, Jane Powell in 7 Brides, Jane Russell)
- Oakley (Annie Oakley)
- Rhett (Thomas Rhett, Rhett Butler from Gone With the Wind)
- Kayce or Kacey (Kacey Musgraves or Kayce Dutton from “Yellowstone”)
- Cody (Buffalo Bill Cody and Cody Johnson)
- Wayne (John Wayne)
- Marshall (Marshal Matt Dillon)
Which names are your favorite? Are there any we missed?