Gen Z

Charted: America’s Most Popular Baby Names in 2023

Published

4 months ago

June 1, 2024

Marcus Lu

Graphics/Design:

Lebon Siu

See this visualization first on the Voronoi app.

Charted:America’s Most Popular Baby Names in 2023

This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” — William Shakespeare

Most parents disagree with Shakespeare of course, and there are entire forums dedicated to baby name discussions. With concerns ranging from appropriateness, to “right fits”, to honoring heritage and legacies, what are the most popular baby names right now?

We chart the top 10 male and female names of 2023, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration. Data is based on Social Security card applications for births that occurred in the United States.

Ranked: America’s Top Baby Boy Names in 2023

“Liam” is not only America’s most popular baby boy name in 2023 (nearly 21,000 babies named) but has been America’s most popular baby boy name since 2017.

Here’s a list of America’s top 20 most popular male baby names in 2023.

Rank	Male name	Boys Named (2023)
1	Liam	20,802
2	Noah	18,995
3	Oliver	14,741
4	James	11,670
5	Elijah	11,452
6	Mateo	11,229
7	Theodore	11,041
8	Henry	10,941
9	Lucas	10,842
10	William	10,598
11	Benjamin	10,172
12	Levi	9,347
13	Sebastian	8,865
14	Jack	8,683
15	Ezra	8,437
16	Michael	8,383
17	Daniel	8,356
18	Leo	8,120
19	Owen	7,985
20	Samuel	7,973

Going back even further through the records however, there’s been a clear upward trend in “Liam’s” popularity since 1992. Between 2008 and 2012, it leapt from 75th to 6th most popular name in the country. As it happens, the massively popular Taken franchise was released in the same time period—starring Irish actor Liam Neeson.

Meanwhile, second place “Noah” has already enjoyed being the most popular name in the U.S. for a boy, reigning between 2013–2016.

Ranked: America’s Most Popular Baby Girl Names in 2023

For baby girls, “Olivia” is the most popular name in America in 2023. Like its male counterpart, “Olivia” has been the top pick for parents since 2019, and has been present in the top 10 since 2002.

Here’s a list of America’s top 20 most popular female baby names in 2023.

Rank	Female name	Girls Named (2023)
1	Olivia	15,270
2	Emma	13,527
3	Charlotte	12,596
4	Amelia	12,311
5	Sophia	11,944
6	Mia	11,359
7	Isabella	10,808
8	Ava	9,682
9	Evelyn	9,082
10	Luna	7,811
11	Harper	7,769
12	Sofia	7,641
13	Camila	7,565
14	Eleanor	6,739
15	Elizabeth	6,566
16	Violet	6,342
17	Scarlett	6,288
18	Emily	6,154
19	Hazel	6,154
20	Lily	6,146

Relatedly, hit makers One Direction released a song titled Olivia in 2015. Four years later, Olivia became the most popular name for girls in America.

Second place “Emma” has previously ranked at first place not once but twice, first in 2008 and then again between 2014-2018.

It broke into the top five in 2002, the same year where the character Rachel Greene from sitcom series Friends, has a baby—and names her Emma.