Why 'Khaleesi' and 'Rhaenyra' Are Trending as Top Baby Names in 2026

Will SayreFri, July 31, 2026 at 5:06 AM UTC

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It's been a whopping seven years since Game of Thrones took its bow on HBO.

George R. R. Martin's beloved universe lives on, of course, with the prequel series House of the Dragon already into its third season. Fans, however, may always return to the original series as their favorite.

The never-ending buzz generated by Game of Thrones even trickles down to naming your real-life offspring, believe it or not. New data from BabyCenter reveals "Khaleesi" (the iconic character portrayed by Emilia Clarke) has officially overtaken "Britney" in popularity as a baby name in the U.S. — proving that the show's naming trend is far from over.

And now, with the latest season of House of the Dragon reigniting the obsession, the trend could be back. Searches for the name "Rhaenyra" (a character played by Emma D'Arcy) have soared by 474% in the past month, according to recent Google Trends data.

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An expert at the language-learning app Preply recently explored the history behind House of the Dragon's more memorable names and revealed which of them from the show could have real-world potential.

“Rhaenyra is one of the most recognizable names in the series, but the name doesn’t come from a historical figure or traditional language," said Preply's Cristina Miguelez in a statement shared with Parade on Thursday, July 30. "Instead, it’s an original creation that borrows familiar sounds from Welsh, Latin and Old English naming traditions to create something that feels ancient and regal without belonging to any one culture."

Miguelez continued, "Rhaenyra’s unusual spelling and pronunciation could actually work in its favor, as more parents are looking for distinctive names that stand out. It has an elegant feel, while nicknames like ‘Rae’ or ‘Nyra’ make it much more wearable for everyday life."

Then there's the character name "Alicent," which could have some appeal since it "has genuine historical roots," says Miguelez. "It’s considered a medieval variation of names like Alice and Alys, which ultimately derive from the Old German name Adelheid, meaning 'noble' or 'of noble birth.'"

This story was originally published by Parade on Jul 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”