What's happened
New York City’s top baby names for 2024 reflect a mix of traditional, vintage, and gender-neutral choices. Liam and Emma, long-standing leaders, were overtaken by newer favorites like Noah and Mia. Experts note a trend toward nostalgia and old-fashioned names, alongside growing popularity of gender-neutral options.
What's behind the headline?
The 2024 NYC baby name trends reveal a clear move toward nostalgia and gender neutrality. The rise of vintage names like Esther and Muhammad suggests a desire for connection to the past, driven by cultural and familial influences. The popularity of gender-neutral names such as Riley and Charlie indicates a societal shift toward gender inclusivity. The decline of long-standing top names like Liam and Emma underscores changing preferences, possibly influenced by broader cultural conversations about identity and tradition. These trends will likely continue into 2025, with vintage and unisex names becoming more mainstream, reflecting a society that values both heritage and diversity.
What the papers say
The New York Post reports that Liam and Emma, long-time top names, were overtaken by Noah and Mia in 2024, with experts citing nostalgia as a key factor. Yahoo! Life quotes Colleen Slagen, who notes vintage names evoke nostalgia, and that old-fashioned names are making a comeback. The Scotsman features Slagen’s predictions for 2026, highlighting the popularity of short, trendy names like Jude, Arlo, Levi, and Kai for boys, and Sofia, Tove, Willow, and Rosie for girls, emphasizing a shift toward simplicity, cultural roots, and botanical influences. These insights demonstrate a broader societal trend toward embracing both tradition and modernity in naming practices.
How we got here
The list of popular baby names in New York City is compiled annually by the city’s Health Department, reflecting evolving cultural trends. In 2024, traditional names like Liam and Emma were replaced by newer favorites, with vintage and gender-neutral names gaining popularity. This shift aligns with broader societal trends toward nostalgia and inclusivity.
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