Liam and Olivia Remain Top Baby Names for 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the sixth consecutive year, Liam and Olivia are the most popular baby names in the United States. The Social Security Administration released this information just in time for Mother’s Day on Friday, revealing the names given to children born in 2024.

Liam has held the number one spot for boys for an impressive eight years, while Olivia has topped the girls’ list for the past six years.

Following Liam, the most common names for boys include Noah, Oliver, Theodore, James, Henry, Mateo, Elijah, Lucas, and William. Emma remains in second place for girls, with Amelia, Charlotte, Mia, Sophia, Isabella, Evelyn, Ava, and Sofia rounding out the top ten.

Sophie Kihm, editor-in-chief of a baby naming website, noted a trend toward names with cross-cultural appeal. She mentioned that many American parents are increasingly opting for heritage choices that function well internationally. “More families in the U.S. come from mixed cultural backgrounds and I hear parents commonly request names that are relatively easy to understand,” said Kihm.

According to the Social Security Administration, about 3.6 million babies were born in the U.S. last year, marking a slight increase in the birthrate. The agency also observed that social media and popular TV shows significantly influence the rising popularity of various names.

Among the names gaining traction, the Hawaiian name Ailany, meaning “chief,” topped the list for girls. For boys, the name Truce, meaning “peace,” surged 11,118 spots, landing at 991. The complete, searchable data can be found on the Social Security website.