Liam and Olivia continue to dominate baby names in the US

In 2024, the names Liam and Olivia stood out as the most popular names for newborns in the United States, marking the sixth consecutive year both names have held the top spots. This information was released by the Social Security Administration, which tracks baby names based on applications for Social Security cards. The data showed that there were 3,612,777 babies born, with 1,845,330 male births slightly outpacing female births at 1,767,447. This slight increase in the birth rate represented a reversal of a declining trend noted in previous years. The top 10 names for boys consisted of Liam, Noah, Oliver, Theodore, James, Henry, Mateo, Elijah, Lucas, and William. On the girls' side, Olivia was followed by Emma, Amelia, Charlotte, Mia, Sophia, Isabella, Evelyn, Ava, and Sofia, which made its debut at number ten, replacing Luna, which fell from the rankings. These names reflect a cultural trend where American parents increasingly choose names with cross-cultural appeal. This popularization of certain names can be attributed in part to social media influences and popular television shows. Notably, the Hawaiian name Ailany, meaning 'chief,' emerged as a rapidly rising name for girls, showcasing the broader trends in baby naming. Some names for boys also showed significant movement in ranking, with the name Truce, meaning 'peace,' climbing 11,118 spots, reflecting parents' interests in unique and meaningful names. The Social Security Administration has made its name data publicly accessible since 1880, allowing researchers to analyze trends that reflect societal changes over time. For 2024, the top names represented about 71% of all names given to babies across the country, suggesting that while there is a diverse range of names chosen by parents, a substantial majority lean towards popular choices. The agency's role as a source of naming data hinges upon parents submitting names when they apply for Social Security cards for their newborns, a process that has implications for documenting and recognizing names officially in the U.S.