These were KY’s 20 most popular baby names last year. Which ones made the cut?
The most popular baby girl’s name in Kentucky has changed from 2023 to 2024, according to data from the U.S. Social Security Administration, while the top name for boys stayed the same.
The federal agency releases a list of the top 100 most frequently given names to newborn girls and boys each year by state and nationally. In 2024, Charlotte took the No. 1 spot for girls, with 204 newborns in the Bluegrass State receiving the name. It was the second most popular in Kentucky in 2023.
The state’s top baby name for boys was Liam in 2023 and in 2024, though last year saw one fewer newborn named Liam.
The updated name data comes as the U.S. national birthrate dropped to a record-low rate of fewer than 1.6 children born per woman in 2024.
Some parents are opting for unique naming trends such as spelling common names differently or choosing more ethereal-sounding monikers, but how are the most popular baby names in Kentucky trending? Here’s what to know.
What are the most popular baby names in Kentucky?
Here’s how the top 10 baby names for girls born in Kentucky in 2024 compared, according to the SSA data:
1. Charlotte (204 newborns)
2. Amelia (191)
3. Lainey (161, tied)
3. Willow (161, tied)
5. Olivia (158)
6. Emma (153)
7. Harper (148)
8. Ellie (141, tied)
8. Ivy (141, tied)
10. Eleanor (138)
And here’s how the top 10 most popular baby names for boys born in Kentucky stacked up for 2024:
1. Liam (256 newborns)
2. Oliver (244)
3. Waylon (223)
4. Noah (219)
5. Hudson (206)
6. Elijah (203)
7. James (201)
8. William (196)
9. Levi (185)
10. Asher (170)
Here’s how the top 10 most popular U.S. baby names for girls compared in 2024:
1. Olivia
2. Emma
3. Amelia
4. Charlotte
5. Mia
6. Sophia
7. Isabella
8. Evelyn
9. Ava
10. Sofia
And here are the top 10 baby names for boys born in the U.S. in 2024:
1. Liam
2. Noah
3. Oliver
4. Theodore
5. James
6. Henry
7. Mateo
8. Elijah
9. Lucas
10. William
Some of the names that saw the greatest increase in popularity in the U.S. from 2023 to 2024 were Ailany, Aylani, Marjorie, Scottie and Analeia for girls, and Truce, Colsen, Bryer, Halo and Azaiah for boys.
Conversely, girls’ names Emryn, Zhuri, Layne, Alitzel and Kamari saw the greatest declines in popularity in 2024, while less popular boys’ names included Khari, Karsyn, Kye, Kole and Khai.
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