WASHINGTON — The names Liam and Olivia have once again topped the list of most popular baby names in the United States for 2024, a position they have maintained for six consecutive years. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks naming trends dating back to 1880, these names have remained the favorites for boys and girls respectively as the agency announced the latest rankings right in time for Mother’s Day.
Liam has held the top spot for boys for an impressive eight years in a row, while Olivia continues to lead for girls. Emma follows as the second most popular name for girls, with Noah holding firm as the second choice for boys, both maintaining their ranks for the sixth straight year. Notably, Luna has slipped out of the top 10 girls’ names and has been replaced by Sofia, which makes its debut on the list at number 10.
Following Liam, the most common names for boys are, sequentially: Noah, Oliver, Theodore, James, Henry, Mateo, Elijah, Lucas, and William. In the sphere of girls’ names, Olivia is followed by Emma, Amelia, Charlotte, Mia, Sophia, Isabella, Evelyn, Ava, and Sofia.
Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief at the baby naming site nameberry, notes a rising trend where American parents are increasingly opting for names with multicultural appeal. Reflecting on her own name’s frequent appearances in the list’s variations, Kihm stated, “We’re observing more parents choosing heritage names that resonate universally.” She added that as many American families come from diverse cultural backgrounds, there is a growing desire for names that are easily recognizable around the globe.
The SSA data also highlighted a slight increase in the American birthrate, with 3.61 million births in the U.S. in 2024, up from the previous year’s 3.59 million. This rise is attributed in part to social media influencers and popular television shows impacting naming trends.
Among the names gaining popularity for girls, Ailany, a Hawaiian name meaning “chief,” emerged as a favorite. For boys, Truce, meaning “peace” in Old English, dramatically climbed 11,118 places to reach position 991 from last year.
For those interested in exploring the full spectrum of trending baby names, the SSA offers a complete searchable list on its official website.