Baby names don’t usually change overnight—but sometimes a quiet comeback speaks louder than any flashy trend. Heading into 2026, experts at the Official Book of First Names are spotting a surprising shift: parents aren’t chasing the newest, trendiest monikers.
Instead, they’re reaching into the past, rediscovering names that once felt old-fashioned—but now feel vibrant, authentic, and full of meaning.
Leading the charge is a name few expected: Marcel. Once associated with vintage photographs and family stories, Marcel had faded from baby lists.
That absence, however, is exactly what makes it feel fresh today. Parents see it as warm, grounded, and effortlessly stylish—classic without being dated.
Marcel’s resurgence is part of a broader “neo-vintage” wave. Names like Augustin, Léonie, Eugène, and Colette are quietly reclaiming their place, offering parents a sense of stability in an unpredictable world.
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