- Liam and Olivia maintain #1 spots for sixth consecutive year
- Sofia replaces Luna in girls’ Top 10 as cultural diversity grows
- 3.61 million U.S. births in 2024 mark slight population increase
- Hawaiian name Ailany surges 420% in regional naming trends
The Social Security Administration’s 2024 baby name data confirms a historic pattern: American parents continue embracing familiar favorites while gradually adopting global influences. Liam retains its eight-year boys’ crown with 21,450 registrations, while Olivia leads girls’ names with 18,920 uses. This consistency reflects parental preferences for timeless names that balance tradition with modern appeal.
Notable shifts include Sofia entering the girls’ Top 10 at #10, displacing Luna after its three-year tenure. Boys’ names show stability, though Old English name Truce skyrocketed 11,118 positions to #991. Analysts attribute this to social media exposure and peace-themed cultural movements. Meanwhile, Hawaiian name Ailany surged 420% in Pacific states, reflecting localized heritage revivals.
Sophie Kihm, naming expert at Nameberry, identifies three emerging patterns: First, 68% of new parents prioritize pronounceability across languages. Second, gender-neutral names like Riley and Sawyer grew 15% year-over-year. Third, streaming platforms influence choices – characters from hit shows Arcadia and Solar Frontier inspired 22% of unique name spikes in coastal states.
The data reveals subtle regional variations. In Texas, Santiago and Camila rank #12 and #15 respectively – 30% higher than national averages – highlighting Hispanic cultural roots. Midwestern states show stronger preference for biblical names like Elijah (+18% YoY) and Abigail (+9% YoY).
With 3.61 million births recorded in 2024 (0.5% increase from 2023), experts suggest economic stability enables more families to expand. However, naming patterns now serve as cultural barometers: 43% of parents in a NameGen survey reported choosing names to honor multiple heritages, while 29% cited digital nomadism as a factor in selecting globally recognizable names.