'KPop Demon Hunters' has even changed American baby names... 'Rumi,' 'Zoey,' and 'Jinu' rise among newborn names in the first half of the year [K-EYES]

*This content was translated by AI.

"Thanks to 'KPop Demon Hunters'"... K-pop reshapes American baby name trends

'Olivia' and 'Noah' top American baby names

K-pop's influence was prominently confirmed in the 2026 first-half baby name trend report by BabyCenter, the largest U.S. parenting platform. The popularity of the Netflix animated series 'KPop Demon Hunters' has even affected American newborn names.

According to BabyCenter, which has collected newborn name data for over 20 years, one of the most notable trends this year is the sharp rise in names inspired by 'KPop Demon Hunters.' Character names from the series—Rumi, Zoey, Jinu, and Celine—are all on the rise, and 'Arden,' named after Arden Cho, the voice actress for the character Rumi, is also gaining popularity. 'KPop Demon Hunters' became the most-watched title in Netflix history last year, and its explosive popularity, which has led to Grammy and Academy Award recognition, is influencing culture across the board.

Beyond K-pop, nostalgia for the 1990s and the 'soft name' trend are also prominent. Thanks to the influence of 'Friends,' rediscovered through Netflix and YouTube, Monica and Ross have climbed the rankings. Meanwhile, the rebooted 'Scrubs' and 'Malcolm in the Middle' have driven up the popularity of Carla, Dorian, Reese, and Lois. Additionally, with 2026 being the Year of the Fire Horse in the Chinese zodiac, names associated with fire and light, such as Phoenix, Apollo, Ember, and Blaze, are also gaining popularity.

The 'soft name' trend is also drawing attention. Names that begin or end with vowels and feature soft consonants are preferred, with Leo, Elias, Rumi, Carla, Ariel, and Milo as prime examples. In contrast, girl names starting with 'Ad-' have all seen a decline. Olivia took the top spot for girl names in the first half of the year, while Noah topped the boy names.

BabyCenter releases monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports, analyzing name registration data from millions of parents over more than 20 years. The report concluded that "the K-pop boom, 1990s nostalgia, and soft names are dominating the 2026 first-half baby name charts." 'KPop Demon Hunters' is being highlighted as a symbolic case demonstrating how K-pop has penetrated deep into everyday culture beyond music and video.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.