From names inspired by old ladies and grandpa monikers (but for girls) to feminine feminist and old money options, there’s no shortage of baby name trends forecasted each year—and it’s enough to make an expectant parent’s head explode! (It’s also super fun if you’re like me and love to pour over lists to procrastinate making all major life decisions). But over at Babylist, editors looked to the moms and dads on their Babylist Babes list who had submitted announcements of their new additions’ arrivals and came up with a list of the top 20 most popular names so far in 2024. With so much emphasis on finding monikers others haven’t used, you might be surprised by which ones made the cut. Check out the list below:
20. Miles
Bye-bye, Peter Parker; hello, Miles Morales! That’s right, popular names have evolved much like Spiderman. Number 20 on the list, the English take on Milo also has Latin and German origins. It means “soldier” or “merciful,” but the dashing moniker definitely makes us think of improvisational jazz legend Miles Davis.
19. Bennett
This lucky name has Latin origins and means “blessed,” so you can expect big things for baby Bennett. The moniker is a more dapper take on Ben or Benjamin, but it’s a great option for girls, too. Try spelling it with an extra e: Bennette.
18. Emma
It’s no wonder Emma means “universal” or “whole.” When you take baby Emma home, you’ll spend the whole day every day tending to her every need—but with good reason, because she’ll be the center of your universe. This beloved moniker has been a top-three girls’ name for over 20 years, one that each little Emma gets to share with a clever, beautiful, and strong-willed Jane Austen character and Oscar winner Emma Stone.
17. Harper
Music lovers who don’t want rocker names like Lennon, Elton, Iggy, or Stevie will love the subtle nod from Harper, a name of English origin that means “harp player.” In the 1800s, Harper was very much a boy’s name, and though it’s still unisex, David and Victoria Beckham’s decision to call their only daughter Harper in 2011 solidified its place as a top choice for girls.
16. Owen
One of the go-to Celtic names for bonnie babes, this one’s actually of Welsh origin. Originally Owain but anglicized to Owen, it has a few meanings: “young warrior,” “noble,” and “well-born.” Talk about a humble brag! This one’s typically a boy’s name, but singer Michelle Branch shed new light on the moniker when she called her baby girl Owen.
15. Riley
If you watched Daisy Jones and the Six, you probably love Riley Keough (who played Daisy) as much as we do. But Elvis’s granddaughter isn’t the only inspiration for this gender-neutral name. Originally of British descent, Riley means “rye clearing,” referencing the grain that makes such awesome bread. And in its use as a surname, Reilly means “valiant” or “courageous.”
14. Scarlett
You might not realize this, but Scarlett was a last name in the Middle Ages, long before it became the modern classic it is now. Back when names related to trades, this one referenced the bold hue as well as sellers of a luxurious red wool fabric called scarlet. (Industrious and stylish? Ok!) It wasn’t until Scarlett O’Hara starred in Gone with the Wind that it became a blockbuster of a first name.
13. James
It’s safe to say that James may never go out of style, given its widespread use among kings, presidents, and celebrities. Its Hebrew roots are in the name Jacob, which means “holder of the heel” or “supplanter.” But in recent years, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds named their daughter James, breathing new life into the moniker for girls.
12. Rowan
Rowan’s Irish meaning is relatively simple: red-haired. That being said, this gender-neutral name isn’t reserved for redheads alone. The first Rowan that comes to my mind is Mr. Bean actor Rowan Atkinson, but if comedy’s not your thing your little one can be named in honor of their hair color (or a relative’s ruddy locks), your favorite hue, or your hopes that they’ll have a fiery personality.
11. Avery
One of the most popular baby names of the decade for girls, Avery was long considered a favorite boy’s name. With English and French origins, the name’s folky meaning is “ruler of elves.” (Do we have a future Lord of the Rings lover on our hands?) If you want to play with the spelling, consider Averey, Avary, or Avry.
10. Jack
There is no shortage of famous inspiration for this name, from writer Jack Kerouac to White Stripes frontman Jack White and Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson—not to mention childhood stories like Jack and the Beanstalk, and Jack and Jill. Derived from its more serious counterpart, John, in Medieval England, Jack means “God is gracious.” It’s a favorite moniker not only in the US, but also in Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Scotland, and Sweden.
9. Penelope
Honestly, is there a cuter nickname than Penny? She’s got a sweet and sassy vibe (think Penny from The Big Bang Theory), but her roots are far more classical. Penelope was the wife of Odysseus in Greek mythology, as shown in Homer’s The Odyssey, a crafty woman who kept her suitors at bay by pretending to weave a burial shroud for her husband that was conveniently neverending.
8. Henry
We’d guess you know a few Henrys—this one’s been a favorite for a long time. It has graced eight English kings (and is Prince Harry’s actual name), though its roots are Germanic, meaning “estate ruler.” In 2021 it crept onto the top 10 chart in the United States and is now number 7. It’s giving classic-cool Theodore and James vibes.
7. Theodore
All those Theos and Teddys in your kids’ classes? Some of them are short for Theodore. The name is no joke, meaning “gift of God” in Greek, and since jumping into the US’s top 10 for the first time ever in 2021, it has further climbed to the 7th spot in 2023. It’s holding the same position on the Babylist rankings, where parents can’t get enough of regal Theodore.
6. Eleanor
Though it doesn’t have the trendiness of an Ella or an Eden, Eleanor has a legacy vibe that lends it substance—and we love the cute nicknames Nell, Nellie, and Ellie. The name’s meaning is a little hazy. There are definitely ties to England (two Queens have born the moniker), but Eleanor may also derive from the Provencal name Aliénor.
5. Olivia
She’s twin sister to the list’s top moniker, Oliver, but with an extra little flourish at the end that makes her a tad more feminine. Olivia has Latin origins and means “olive tree,” but this peaceful name first caught attention thanks to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. And when the Social Security Administration (SSA) released the top names of the decade from 2000 to 2018, Olivia was sitting pretty in third place (though she often tops the annual lists). If you feel like this name is too popular, lean into the grandma trend and try Olive.
4. Charlotte
Yes, your little one could be named after a real-life princess, but that’s not the only reason to love Charlotte. This vintage name with French origins, which means “free man” or “petite,” has the cutest nicknames—think Lottie and Charlie, both great options on their own too. This one definitely has staying power (more than 700 years and counting, thank you very much).
3. Liam
The luck of the Irish is with this one! Meaning “strong-willed warrior” and “protector,” your little Liam is sure to leave his mark on the world—and take care of you when you get old. As for the SSA’s most popular boy names of the decade, Liam was in second place only to Noah. Some famous Liams: Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, One Direction’s Liam Payne, and The Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth.
2. Luca
Luca has long been a favorite in Italy, but the Italian moniker has also swept through the United States in recent years. Meaning “man from Lucania,” a historical region of Southern Italy, little Luca is sure to be a charmer—and will love seeing their name on the big screen in the 2021 Disney film Luca, about a young boy (who is secretly a sea monster) spending the summer on the Italian Riviera. Though the character is male, Luca is also a cool choice for girls.
1. Oliver
And finally, at the top of the list, you’ll find Oliver and we’d bet that if you don’t have an Ollie you know one (three, in my case). That’s because Oliver is energetic and stylish without being overly trendy. The moniker means “olive tree” in Latin and is a chart-topper not only in North America but also in England, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe, Scandinavia, and Latin America. That’s one popular guy!
So yes, we’ve been told that in 2024 we should expect trendy names like Tabitha, Elio, Harlowe, Bowie, and Zephyr, but Babylist parents seem to be leaning on more classic monikers. We’ll see which other names pop up during the second half of the year.
