Most popular baby names of 2019

The baby name landscape saw some interesting shifts in 2019, with certain classic favorites holding strong while newcomers made impressive gains. In the US, Liam maintained its reign as the top boys' name for the second consecutive year, while Noah and William rounded out the top three, showing remarkable stability from 2018. For girls, Emma's five-year streak at number one finally ended as Olivia claimed the top spot, with Ava holding steady in third position.

Looking at the top 10 girls' names in the US for 2019, Olivia's rise to first place represents the most significant change. Charlotte held firm at sixth place, while Amelia jumped one spot to seventh, continuing its steady climb in popularity. Mia remained consistent at eighth, and Harper held the ninth position. Interestingly, names ending in "a" dominated the US top 10 for girls, with Olivia, Ava, Sophia, Isabella, Amelia, and Mia all following this melodic pattern.

For boys in the US, the top 10 showed notable stability, with only subtle position changes. Oliver made the most impressive jump, rising from fifth to third place. Benjamin, James, and Lucas maintained their positions from the previous year. Elijah entered the top 5, showing strong momentum as parents increasingly embrace biblical names with modern appeal. Alexander rounded out the top 10, reflecting the enduring appeal of classic names with history and substance.

Across the Atlantic, the UK showed different naming preferences, with George maintaining its hold on the top spot for boys, followed by Noah and Arthur, the latter climbing from sixth place in 2018. For girls, Amelia remained the most popular name in both years, with Isla and Ava consistently holding the second and third positions respectively. Interestingly, the UK and US share several top names like Noah, Ava, and Olivia, though they rank differently in each country, indicating cross-cultural naming trends in the English-speaking world.

Some broader patterns emerged across both countries in 2019. Short, vowel-rich names continued their dominance, with names like Mia, Ava, Noah, and Leo appearing in top rankings. Traditional names with historical roots showed staying power, especially among boys, with William, James, and George remaining popular choices. For girls, vintage names with a modern feel gained traction, with Amelia, Charlotte, and Evelyn climbing the charts. The letter "L" featured prominently in boys' names (Liam, William, Lucas, Elijah), while the soft "a" ending remained a defining characteristic of popular girls' names.

Top baby names of 2019