Most popular baby names of 2022

In 2022, the baby name landscape showed fascinating patterns across both the US and UK. Olivia, Emma, and Charlotte maintained their powerful grip as the top three girls' names in the US, displaying remarkable consistency from the previous year. For boys in the US, Liam, Noah, and Oliver held their championship positions, continuing their reign from 2021. Meanwhile, the UK showed a different trend with Amelia, Isla, and Lily leading for girls, while Muhammad rose to claim the number one spot for boys, followed by Oliver and Leo.

Luna continues its meteoric rise in popularity, climbing into the US top 10 girls' names for the first time in 2022. Other names like Charlotte, Amelia, and Sophia maintained their top positions, showing the enduring appeal of classic feminine names with soft sounds. Evelyn and Mia also held strong in the top 10, while Harper dropped slightly but remained popular. The most notable trend among girls' names is the continued dominance of names ending in 'a' or featuring soft, flowing sounds. Interestingly, four of the top ten US girls' names (Olivia, Sophia, Isabella, and Amelia) share this melodic 'ia' ending.

For boys, Theodore has firmly established itself in the US top 10, climbing to the 10th position in 2022. Liam and Noah have held the top two spots for several consecutive years, showcasing their enduring appeal. Names like William, Henry, and James continue to demonstrate the staying power of traditional masculine names. The newcomer to watch is Mateo, which climbed from 15th in 2021 to 11th in 2022, nearly breaking into the top 10. Classic names with modern flair seem to dominate boys' naming patterns, with shorter names (Liam, Noah, Jack) balanced against longer traditional options (Benjamin, Theodore, Alexander).

Looking at broader patterns, we're seeing a continued preference for vintage names with modern appeal across both genders. Names that were popular in the early 20th century are experiencing a strong revival, particularly those with soft sounds and classic origins. The letter 'L' features prominently in many popular names for both genders (Liam, Lily, Luna, Leo, Levi). In the UK, there's a more noticeable multicultural influence, with Muhammad claiming the top spot for boys. Another interesting observation is the rise of nature-inspired names like Lily, Ivy, Willow, and Violet for girls. These nature connections reflect a growing trend of parents seeking names that evoke natural beauty and tranquility in an increasingly digital world.

Top baby names of 2022