Kentucky’s most popular baby names changed last year. See the top 10 lists
The most popular names for Kentucky girls and boys changed in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to new data from the U.S. Social Security Administration.
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. Amelia and Oliver were the Bluegrass State’s top names in 2025, with Charlotte and Liam taking the top spots in 2024.
The U.S. birth rate declined by 1% in 2025 from 2024, nonprofit health policy organization KFF reported, and it’s seen a 23% decline since 2007.
Some parents are opting for naming trends such as taking inspiration from popular French names, sticking to short monikers or spelling common names differently, but how are the most popular baby names in Kentucky trending? Here’s what to know.
Most popular baby names in Kentucky
Here’s a list of the top 10 most popular names for baby girls born in Kentucky in 2025:
1. Amelia (212 babies)
2. Charlotte (187)
3. Sophia (166)
4. Evelyn (164)
5. Lainey (160)
6. Emma (159)
7. Willow (156)
8. Ellie (152)
9. Eleanor (149)
10. Harper (147)
Here’s how the most popular baby boy names compared in Kentucky in 2025:
1. Oliver (278 babies)
2. Liam (253)
3. Hudson (229)
4. Waylon (223)
5. Noah (203)
6., tied: Henry and Theodore (191 babies each)
8. Elijah (185)
9. James (181)
10. William (173)
Kentucky’s most popular baby names in 2024 were Charlotte, Amelia, Lainey, Willow, Olivia, Emma, Harper, Ivy, Ellie and Eleanor for girls, and the top boys’ names were Liam, Oliver, Waylon, Noah, Elijah, Hudson, James, William, Levi and Asher.
Most popular baby names in the U.S.
Here’s how the top 10 most popular baby girl names across the nation compared in 2025, according to the Social Security Administration:
1. Olivia (13,544 babies)
2. Charlotte (13,400)
3. Emma (12,754)
4. Amelia (12,699)
5. Sophia (12,561)
6. Mia (11,078)
7. Isabella (10,666)
8. Evelyn (9,123)
9. Sofia (8,252)
10. Eliana (8,191)
Here’s how the top 10 names for baby boys compared in the U.S. for 2025:
1. Liam (20,818)
2. Noah (20,358)
3. Oliver (14,939)
4. Theodore (13,355)
5. Henry (12,020)
6. James (11,945)
7. Elijah (11,111)
8. Mateo (11,045)
9. William (10,545)
10. Lucas (10,219)
Some of the names that saw the greatest increase in popularity in the U.S. from 2024 to 2025 were Klarity, Rynlee, Ailanny, Naylani and Madisson for girls, and Kasai, Akari, Eziah, Jasai and Neithan for boys.
Conversely, girls’ names Aubrie, Cattleya, Jaycee, Zendaya and Novalee saw the greatest declines in popularity in 2025, while boys’ names that declined in popularity included Karim, Khaza, Khai, Landen and Seven.
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