As the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2026, hospitals across the United Arab Emirates were filled with the most hopeful sound of all: the first cries of newborns. From Abu Dhabi to Fujairah, the arrival of babies in the earliest minutes of the new year created unforgettable moments for families and medical staff, symbolising fresh beginnings and shared joy.
A Minute Past Midnight: The First Emirati Newborn
Right at the stroke of 12:00 AM, Burjeel Medical City in Abu Dhabi witnessed a historic birth. Saeed Saif Al Rumaithi, weighing 3.30 kilograms, entered the world and earned the distinguished title of the UAE's first baby of 2026. Born to Emirati parents as their first child, his arrival was met with immense happiness, a sentiment echoed by his name, which means "happy." The delivery room was filled with New Year cheers as doctors and family welcomed little Saeed.
The celebrations continued just one minute later. At 12:01 AM, another baby boy named Hamdan was born at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, adding to the early morning joy and setting a heartwarming precedent for the year ahead.
Celebrations Span the Emirates: From Fujairah to Abu Dhabi
The new year blessings were not confined to the capital. In a touching moment for the Indian expatriate community, a family in Fujairah welcomed a healthy baby boy at Thumbay Hospital exactly at midnight. The infant, a robust 4.26 kilograms, turned the family's New Year celebration into a cherished, lifelong memory.
Back in Abu Dhabi, the NMC Specialty Hospital was a hub of activity. At 12:11 AM, the Patil family celebrated the birth of their third child and first son. For the parents, the timing was profoundly symbolic, marking their entry into 2026 with a long-awaited blessing.
A Nurse's Full-Circle Moment
The most poignant story of the night unfolded at the same hospital around 1:00 AM. In a beautiful twist of fate, two healthcare workers, Mahalakshmi Mariappan and Nagraj, welcomed their first child—a baby boy weighing 2.84 kilograms. The couple, both nurses in the UAE, experienced a role reversal as Mahalakshmi, who typically assists other mothers in labour, found herself on the other side of the delivery process.
Her colleague, Dr. Urvi Tanna Wadhawan, who delivered the baby, expressed that the entire hospital staff felt a deep, personal pride in welcoming "one of their own" into the world. This special delivery highlighted the dedication of healthcare professionals who work tirelessly, even during global celebrations.
More Than a Fun Fact: The Significance of New Year Babies
Being a "New Year baby" carries a significance that transcends a mere calendar coincidence. For families, it represents starting the year with unparalleled joy and a new member. For hospitals and medical staff, it is a powerful reminder of their continuous, vital mission. For the culturally diverse UAE, these births offer a snapshot of shared milestones and hope for the future.
For parents curious about their child's generational cohort, here is an interesting detail: babies born on January 1, 2026, officially belong to Generation Alpha. This generation, born from 2013 to around 2029, follows Generation Z. Little Saeed, Hamdan, and their peers are true digital natives, born into a world already shaped by smartphones, artificial intelligence, and digital-first learning environments.
As 2026 unfolds, these special children will always have a unique story—they arrived precisely as a new year began, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of their families and the nation.
