New academicians settle in

One week has passed since 17 new academicians moved into their quarters at the Dammarie-les-Lys castle under the leadership of the new director, Quentin Mosimann. The group includes eight boys and nine girls, aged between 18 and 26, who are eager to pursue singing and build careers in the industry.

Diverse names of the candidates

The list of candidates for Star Academy 2026 includes names that reflect a wide range of cultural influences and traditions. Names like Amel, Khalil, and Ydriss, though born in France, are rooted in Arabic naming traditions, while Brieuc connects to the Celtic heritage of Brittany, even though the individual is from Belgium.

Trends in naming

All the candidates were born in the early 2000s, and their names reflect naming trends from the past few decades. Short names and a revival of older names are evident, with Antoine being a traditional French name ranked 20th in popularity since 2000. Félix and Maud are also examples of names with historical roots and enduring appeal.

Cultural references in names

Some names evoke strong cultural or media associations. Kylian brings to mind Kylian Mbappé, the famous French footballer, while Leeloo references the character from the 1997 film The Fifth Element. Elija similarly reminds people of Elijah Wood, who played Frodo in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. These connections, while not necessarily influencing the naming choices, are notable.