Liam and Olivia have once again topped the list of the most popular baby names in the United States, according to data from the Social Security Administration as of March 2024.
This marks another year in which both names have captured the affection of new parents, continuing a relatively steady trend. Liam has held the title of the most popular boy’s name since 2017, and Olivia has been the first choice for girls since 2019. Both have been consistently among the top names for several years, showing widespread and persistent appeal.
Spokeo broke down state-level trends in baby name popularity, examining how some of the most dominant names took off. For baby boys, Oliver is actually the most popular name in a broad swath of America. And for baby girls, Charlotte and Amelia have their own regional appeal.
Illinois parents stick with Olivia and Noah
While Liam and Olivia lead the nation, Olivia and Noah were also the top picks for Illinois parents in 2023. These timeless names continue to trend across the Midwest, with Olivia’s classic charm and Noah’s quiet strength resonating with families throughout the state.
While Emma had been the first choice for baby girls from 2014 through 2018, followed by Olivia, both names switched places in 2019, with Olivia taking the mantle of the most popular girls’ name and Emma becoming the second most popular.Beyond these two, Charlotte and Amelia recently became the third and fourth most popular names for girls. The two have maintained those ranks since 2021.At the same time, Sophia—one of the most popular baby girls’ names in the mid-2010s—has become less popular but remains the fifth most popular name for girls.The continuing appeal of Olivia and Liam
Olivia has Latin roots meaning “olive tree” and gained popularity thanks to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and stars like Olivia Newton-John and Olivia Rodrigo.
Liam, the top boys’ name since 2017, is Irish for “strong-willed warrior” and has been popularized by celebrities like Liam Neeson and Liam Hemsworth.
Noah remains a strong contender at #2, while Oliver, James, and Elijah round out the top five boys’ names.
Olivia’s appeal strongest in the Sun Belt
Olivia remains the top baby name in the U.S., especially popular in 21 states across the West, Southwest and Southeast. Meanwhile, Charlotte leads in 18 states, including much of the Midwest and Northeast. Amelia is the favorite in parts of Appalachia and the South, while Emma holds strong in Texas and New York.
Liam leads across the Southwest, Southeast and Appalachia
Liam is the top boys’ name in 22 states, especially across the South, Southwest, and parts of the East Coast. Oliver leads in 13 states, mainly in the Northwest and Midwest. Noah ranks first in nine states, including big ones like California, New York and Michigan.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.
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