Most popular baby names of 2024

Our 2024 baby name data shows some fascinating patterns as we compare trends across the US and UK. In the US, Olivia, Emma, and Amelia lead for girls, while Liam, Noah, and Oliver remain the top three choices for boys. Interestingly, in the UK, Muhammad has claimed the number one spot for boys, followed by Noah and Oliver, while Olivia, Amelia, and Lily are the most popular girls' names.

Looking at the top 10 girls' names in the US, Olivia continues its remarkable reign at number one for another year. Amelia has shown impressive momentum, climbing from fourth to third position. Charlotte, previously in third place, has slipped to fourth, while Sofia has moved up two spots to enter the top 10 at number 10. Names ending with the feminine "a" sound dominate the list, with Olivia, Emma, Amelia, Mia, Sophia, Isabella, Ava, and Sofia all following this pattern.

In the UK girls' rankings, Olivia has reclaimed the crown after being overtaken by Amelia last year. Lily has maintained its strong position at number three, while Isla dropped slightly from second to fourth. Freya rounds out the top five, maintaining its popularity from 2023. The UK continues to favor slightly more traditional names with British heritage like Ivy, Poppy, and Florence in the top 10, showing a distinct preference compared to their American counterparts.

For US boys, the top three names remain unchanged with Liam, Noah, and Oliver holding steady. The most notable movement comes from Theodore, which has climbed one spot to claim fourth position, pushing James down to fifth. Henry has also gained ground, moving up two spots to sixth place. Mateo continues its impressive rise in popularity, now sitting at seventh position and highlighting the growing influence of Hispanic naming traditions in American culture.

In the UK, Muhammad has risen to become the most popular boys' name, overtaking Noah which now sits at second place. Oliver remains firmly in third position, showing remarkable consistency across both countries. Leo and Arthur complete the UK top five, demonstrating the British preference for shorter, classic names with historical significance. The top 10 also features distinctly British favorites like George, Archie, and Freddie that rarely appear in American rankings.

Overall naming patterns show some fascinating trends across both countries. Short, vowel-rich names continue to dominate for both genders, particularly those with softer sounds. Names with classical roots are experiencing a resurgence, with Theodore, Ezra, and Elijah gaining popularity for boys, while vintage girls' names like Eleanor, Violet, and Hazel continue their upward trajectory. The letter "L" features prominently in top boys' names (Liam, Lucas, Leo, Luca), while girls' names strongly favor the "a" ending sound.

We're also seeing increasing convergence between US and UK naming preferences, particularly in the boys' top 10, where Noah and Oliver feature prominently in both countries. However, cultural distinctions remain clear, with the UK showing stronger preference for traditional British names like Archie and Freddie, while the US embraces more diverse influences, particularly with names like Mateo gaining ground. As we move through 2024, these trends suggest parents are balancing timeless appeal with fresh sounds when choosing their children's names.

Top baby names of 2024