Top Baby Names 2024: The Playground Analysis

Once again, the Social Security Administration crowned Olivia and Liam the most popular baby names in the US. But if you feel like you hear other names more often, you're not imagining things. Statistics can be deceiving, and certain names sound much more common than their ranking suggests.

The baby name data released each year by the SSA lists variant spellings like Eleanor and Elinor, Luca and Luka as totally separate names — which can impact their official position on the charts.

The Playground Analysis groups the names from the official US popularity charts according to their sound and then ranks the groups instead of the individual spellings. Listing the various spellings together gives us a more accurate view of the top names in the country.

When all variants are combined, these are the girl and boy names you are actually likely to hear most often on the playground!

Top Girl Names 2024

The girls’ Playground Analysis Top 5 remains unchanged from last year: Sophia, Amelia, Olivia, Emma, and Charlotte. Besides Adeline at #8 and Evelyn at #10, the rest of the Top 10 saw some shifts. Mia and Isabella switch places to #6 and #7, respectively, and Eliana jumps 4 spots to enter the Top 10 at #9 while Aria drops 3 spots to #12.

Within the Top 100, the biggest movers between 2023 and 2024 are Wrenley (#118 to #84), Alana (#114 to #82), Clara (#121 to #100), Juliette (#113 to #93), Melanie (#117 to #99), Lainey (#51 to #37), Vivian (#67 to #54), Aurora (#41 to #29), Valentina (#75 to #63). But Ailani had the highest jump by far — it moved 234 spots up from #300 to #66.

The names that moved down the most are Aubrey (#76 to #98), Madison (#32 to #47), Kaylee (#62 to #74), Addison (#77 to #89), and Gabriella (#83 to #94).

It’s also interesting to note that there are two separate spellings of Sophia in the SSA Top 10, which helped it handily take first place in the Playground Analysis. On SSA's official charts, Sophia is #6 and Sofia is #10.

Speaking of the SSA list, let’s compare it to the Playground Analysis to show how the combined spellings can really impact the popularity of a name. The names from the PA Top 100 influenced the most by combining the spellings are the following:

1. Kaylee — moved 147 places to #74

2. Journee — moved 121 places to #96

3. Kehlani — moved 113 places to #37

4. Callie — moved 97 places to #79

5. Amaya — moved 93 places to #76

6. Isabel — moved 90 places to #77

7. Emerson — moved 79 places to #72

8. Charlie — moved 73 places to #67

9. Alaia — moved 67 places to #45

10. Wrenley — moved 65 places to #84

See the Top 100 most popular girl names 2024, according to our Playground Analysis, below.

Names are given in their most popular form, together with their SSA rankings and total combined births, plus the most common variant spellings.

All spellings given to five or more babies are included in the figures, but I have only listed those with 50 or more births due to length. For example, Sophia has 10 alternate spellings used in 2024, but only 3 are listed here.

As happens with several names in the Playground Analysis, there has been some speculation that Aaliyah and Alaia are the same name and should be combined. In my analysis of names and their pronunciations, I go with my gut and with the full understanding that parents are going to pronounce them however they choose. I hear Aaliyah pronounced uh-lee-uh and Alaia as uh-lay-uh and have categorized spellings accordingly. If Aaliyah and Alaia were combined, however, the name would be in the Top 10.

Playground Analysis Top 100 Girl Names

1. Sophia (6) — 20336 births — Sofia, Sofiya

2. Amelia (3) — 18375 births — Emilia, Emelia, Amilia

3. Olivia (1) — 15777 births — Alivia, Alyvia

4. Emma (2) — 13629 births — Ema

5. Charlotte (4) — 12693 births — Charlette

6. Mia (5) — 12633 births — Miah, Miya, Miyah

7. Isabella (7) — 12056 births — Izabella, Isabela

8. Adeline (58) — 11764 births — Adalynn, Adaline, Adalyn, Adelyn, Adelynn, Addilyn, Addilynn, Adilene, Addalyn, Addelyn, Adilynn, Addalynn, Adelyne, Adalyne, Adilyn

9. Eliana (18) — 11219 births — Elliana, Elianna, Ellianna, Eliyanah, Elyana, Elyanna, Eliyana, Ellyana, Ellieana, Eleana

10. Evelyn (8) — 10695 births — Evelynn, Evalyn, Evalynn, Evelin

11. Isla (35) — 10666 births — Ayla, Iyla, Ila, Aila, Aylah, Eila, Aiyla, Iylah, Aayla, Ilah

12. Aria (26) — 10364 births — Arya, Ariyah, Ariya, Ariah, Aarya, Aryah

13. Camila (11) — 10096 births — Kamila, Camilla, Kamilla, Kamilah

14. Zoe (29) — 9673 births — Zoey, Zoie

15. Madelyn (65) — 9590 births — Madeline, Madilyn, Madeleine, Madelynn, Madilynn, Madalyn, Madalynn, Madelyne, Madelin

16. Elena (45) — 9328 births — Alaina, Elaina, Alayna, Alena, Aleyna, Elayna, Ellena

17. Ava (9) — 9037 births — Avah, Ayva, Ayvah

18. Riley (42) — 8997 births — Rylee, Ryleigh, Rylie, Rhylee, Reilly

19. Layla (37) — 8523 births — Leila, Laila, Leyla, Laylah, Lailah, Leilah

20. Chloe (20) — 7941 births — Khloe, Cloe

21. Lily (24) — 7879 births — Lilly, Lillie, Lili

22. Eleanor (14) — 7835 births — Elinor, Eleanore, Elanor, Eleonor

23. Nora (22) — 7528 births — Norah

24. Harper (12) — 7370 births

25. Violet (15) — 7365 births — Violette, Violett

26. Emily (25) — 7305 births — Emely, Emilie, Emilee, Emmalee

27. Elizabeth (17) — 7189 births — Elisabeth

28. Luna (13) — 7183 births

29. Aurora (16) — 6953 births

30. Scarlett (27) — 6889 births — Scarlet, Scarlette, Scarleth, Skarlett

31. Gianna (23) — 6885 births — Giana, Jianna, Jiana

32. Lyla (83) — 6747 births — Lilah, Lila, Lylah, Lylla

33. Ellie (21) — 6649 births — Elly, Elli, Ellee

34. Hazel (19) — 6572 births

35. Avery (31) — 6505 births — Averie, Averi

36. Leah (53) — 6357 births — Lia, Lea, Liah, Liya, Lya

37. Kehlani (150) — 6318 births — Kaylani, Kailani, Keilani, Kailany, Kelani, Keilany, Kaelani, Keylani, Kylani, Klani, Kaylanie, Kayloni

38. Aaliyah (93) — 6212 births — Aliyah, Alia, Aleah, Aliya, Aliah, Alya, Eliyah, Aleigha, Alyah, Aaliya, Alea

39. Lainey (38) — 6153 births — Laney, Laynee, Laynie, Lainee, Lanie

40. Maya (51) — 6131 births — Mya, Maia, Myah, Mayah, Maiya

41. Ella (30) — 5851 births — Ela

42. Ivy (36) — 5822 births — Ivey, Ivie

43. Everly (81) — 5783 births — Everleigh, Everlee, Everley, Everlie

44. Penelope (28) — 5765 births

45. Alaia (112) — 5758 births — Alaya, Alayah, Alaiya, Aleia, Alaiya, Alahia, Aleyah, Aleya, Alaiah, Eleia, Elaia, Elaya

46. Abigail (32) — 5742 births

47. Madison (46) — 5742 births — Maddison, Madisson, Madisyn, Madyson

48. Mila (33) — 5739 births — Milah

49. Emery (70) — 5684 births — Emory, Emerie, Emeri, Emori, Emmarie, Emry, Emmery, Emorie, Emrie

50. Lucy (34) — 5631 births — Lucie, Luci

51. Naomi (44) — 5501 births — Nyomi, Nahomi, Nahomy, Naiomi, Nayomi, Naomie, Niomi

52. Nova (39) — 5386 births — Novah

53. Hannah (52) — 5080 births — Hanna, Hana

54. Vivian (77) — 5041 births — Vivienne, Vivianne, Vivien

55. Grace (40) — 5019 births

56. Leilani (66) — 4883 births — Leilany, Laylani, Leylani, Lailani, Lelani

57. Lillian (54) — 4863 births — Lilian, Lilyann

58. Delilah (50) — 4843 births — Dalilah, Dalila, Delylah

59. Liliana (80) — 4778 births — Lilliana, Lilyana, Lilianna, Lillianna, Lilyanna, Lillyanna, Lillyana

60. Willow (41) — 4688 births

61. Ariana (103) — 4552 births — Arianna, Aryana, Aryanna

62. Allison (99) — 4524 births — Alison, Alisson, Allyson, Alyson, Allisson

63. Valentina (47) — 4438 births

64. Sarah (95) — 4374 births — Sara

65. Genesis (55) — 4373 births — Jenesis

66. Ailany (101) — 4370 births — Ailani, Aylani, Ailanny

67. Charlie (140) — 4355 births — Charlee, Charli, Charley, Charleigh, Charly

68. Paisley (61) — 4329 births — Paislee, Paisleigh

69. Victoria (48) — 4310 births

70. Stella (49) — 4291 births

71. Anna (94) — 4263 births — Ana

72. Emerson (151) — 4057 births — Emersyn, Emmerson, Emmersyn

73. Kaylee (220) — 4054 births — Kayleigh, Kaeli, Keily, Kaylie, Kailey, Caeli, Caylee, Kailee, Keyli, Caleigh, Kaley, Kaleigh, Kaily, Kaely

74. Maria (74) — 4053 births — Mariah, Mariyah

75. Natalie (73) — 3975 births — Nataly, Nathaly, Nathalie, Natalee

76. Amaya (169) — 3958 births — Amiyah, Amaia, Amayah, Amiya, Amya, Amyah

77. Isabel (167) — 3898 births — Isabelle, Isabell, Isobel, Izabel

78. Hailey (100) — 3894 births — Haley, Hayley, Hailee, Haylee, Hailie

79. Callie (176) — 3889 births — Kali, Cali, Kallie

80. Sadie (57) — 3851 births

81. Kinsley (85) — 3833 births — Kinslee, Kinsleigh, Kinzley, Kynslee, Kinzlee, Kynsley

82. Alana (143) — 3830 births — Alanna, Alannah, Elana, Alanah, Ilana

83. Raelynn (113) — 3819 births — Raelyn, Raylynn, Raylin

84. Wrenley (149) — 3796 births — Wrenlee, Wrenleigh, Wrenly, Renley, Renlee, Renleigh

85. Ruby (63) — 3795 births — Rubi

86. Sophie (60) — 3780 births — Sofie

87. Josephine (56) — 3773 births

88. Eloise (64) — 3740 births — Elouise

89. Addison (68) — 3724 births — Addyson, Addisyn

90. Claire (67) — 3709 births — Clare, Klaire

91. Amira (136) — 3700 births — Amirah, Amyra, Ameera, Ameerah, Emira, Amyrah

92. Alice (62) — 3641 births

93. Juliette (129) — 3572 births — Juliet, Julieth

94. Gabriella (106) — 3555 births — Gabriela

95. Kennedy (89) — 3516 births — Kennedi

96. Journee (217) — 3496 births — Journey, Journi, Journie, Journei, Jurnee, Journii

97. Cora (102) — 3451 births — Kora, Korra

98. Aubrey (130) — 3428 births — Aubree, Aubrie, Aubri

99. Melanie (122) — 3324 births — Melany, Melani

100. Clara (78) — 3294 births — Claira, Klara

Top Boy Names 2024

The first three names on the boys’ Playground Analysis stay the same from the PA 2023: Liam, Noah, and Oliver. The rest of the Top 10 — aside from James at #10 — has changed.

Mateo continues its rise by switching places with Jackson for #4 and #5, respectively. Luca also rises from #8 to #6, and Theodore jumps into the Top 10 from #11 to #8. Lucas drops one spot to #7, and Elijah drops two spots to #9. Aiden falls out of the Top 10 to #12.

This year’s biggest risers within the Top 100 are Thiago (#85 to #67), Santiago (#52 to #36), Beau (#74 to #59), Roman (#80 to #65), Bennett (#87 to #72), Wesley (#73 to #61), and Rowan (#75 to #64).

The biggest droppers are Kai (#58 to #80), Enzo (#74 to #88), Lincoln (#72 to #86), Axel (#69 to #81), Jayden (#33 to #44), Mason (#34 to #45), Aaron (#62 to #73), and Carson (#86 to #97).

Compared to the SSA list, the names from the PA Top 100 influenced the most by combining the spellings are the following:

1. Kayson — moved 223 spots to #68

2. Zayn — moved 149 spots to #100

3. Kayden — moved 106 spots to #19

4. Elliot — moved 68 spots to #82

5. Malachi — moved 60 spots to #89

6. Nicholas — moved 60 spots to #58

7. Jace — moved 57 spots to #57

8. Aiden — moved 35 spots to #12

9. Giovanni — moved 31 spots to #91

10. Jackson — moved 30 spots to #5 and Grayson — moved 30 spots to #18

Below, see the full Top 100 most popular boy names 2024 according to our Playground Analysis.

Playground Analysis Top 100 Boy Names

1. Liam (1) — 22478 births — Lyam

2. Noah (2) — 20622 births — Noa

3. Oliver (3) — 15375 births

4. Mateo (7) — 14228 births — Matteo, Matheo

5. Jackson (35) — 13311 births — Jaxon, Jaxson, Jaxxon, Jaxen, Jaxyn

6. Luca (23) — 12358 births — Luka, Lucca, Lukah

7. Lucas (9) — 12097 births — Lukas

8. Theodore (4) — 12089 births — Theodor

9. Elijah (8) — 12055 births — Alijah

10. James (5) — 11827 births

11. Henry (6) — 11677 births — Henri

12. Aiden (47) — 11099 births — Ayden, Aidan, Adan, Eiden, Aden, Aydin, Eyden, Aydan, Eydan, Eidan, Adin, Aidyn, Aedan

13. William (10) — 10609 births

14. Miles (37) — 10178 births — Myles

15. Ethan (19) — 9993 births — Eithan, Eythan

16. Benjamin (11) — 9832 births

17. Levi (12) — 9643 births — Levy

18. Grayson (48) — 9497 births — Greyson, Graysen, Greysen, Gracen

19. Kayden (125) — 9496 births — Kaiden, Caden, Kaden, Cayden, Caiden, Kaidyn, Kaeden, Kadyn

20. Ezra (13) — 9092 births — Ezrah

21. Michael (18) — 8971 births — Mikael, Micheal, Mikel, Mykel

22. Sebastian (14) — 8722 births — Sebastien

23. Daniel (16) — 8482 births

24. Jack (15) — 8471 births

25. John (21) — 8416 births — Jon, Jhon

26. Samuel (17) — 8378 births

27. Elias (25) — 8304 births — Elyas, Ilyas, Alias, Ilias

28. Dylan (28) — 8266 births — Dilan, Dillon

29. Asher (20) — 8226 births

30. Hudson (22) — 8110 births — Hudsyn

31. Alexander (27) — 7861 births — Aleksander, Alexzander, Aleksandr

32. Leo (24) — 7837 births

33. Julian (30) — 7789 births — Julien

34. Carter (45) — 7738 births — Karter

35. Owen (26) — 7604 births

36. Santiago (29) — 7468 births — Santhiago

37. David (31) — 7365 births

38. Matthew (33) — 7328 births — Mathew

39. Joseph (32) — 7317 births — Josef

40. Josiah (53) — 7117 births — Jasiah, Jesiah, Joziah, Jessiah, Jaziah, Jahsiah

41. Caleb (49) — 7102 births — Kaleb

42. Luke (34) — 7079 births

43. Isaac (40) — 7064 births — Issac, Isaak, Izaak

44. Jayden (59) — 7036 births — Jaden, Jaiden, Jadon, Jeyden, Jaydon

45. Mason (42) — 6984 births — Maison, Mayson, Masyn

46. Thomas (39) — 6931 births — Tomas

47. Maverick (36) — 6916 births — Mavrick, Maverik

48. Jacob (41) — 6839 births — Jakob, Jaycob

49. Wyatt (38) — 6587 births

50. Ezekiel (54) — 6583 births — Ezequiel

51. Gabriel (43) — 6387 births

52. Anthony (44) — 6347 births

53. Logan (46) — 6277 births

54. Cameron (66) — 6234 births — Kameron, Kamryn, Camryn, Camron, Kamron, Camren, Kamren

55. Isaiah (56) — 6140 births — Izaiah, Isiah, Izayah

56. Cooper (50) — 5900 births — Kooper

57. Jace (114) — 5850 births — Jayce, Jase

58. Nicholas (118) — 5730 births — Nicolas, Nikolas, Niklaus, Nickolas

59. Beau (69) — 5663 births — Bo, Beaux

60. Christian (77) — 5654 births — Cristian, Kristian, Cristhian, Khristian

61. Wesley (58) — 5653 births — Westley, Weslee

62. Christopher (61) — 5594 births — Kristopher, Cristopher, Cristofer

63. Charles (51) — 5593 births

64. Rowan (71) — 5572 births — Rowen, Roen, Rowyn

65. Roman (52) — 5523 births

66. Weston (70) — 5481 births — Westin, Westyn, Westen

67. Thiago (55) — 5478 births — Tiago

68. Kayson (291) — 5470 births — Kaison, Kasen, Kason, Kaysen, Cayson, Casen, Cason, Kaisen, Kaycen, Caysen, Kaisyn, Kacen, Kasyn, Kaeson, Caison

69. Nathan (62) — 5386 births — Neythan, Neithan

70. Waylon (65) — 5377 births — Waylen

71. Joshua (57) — 5265 births

72. Bennett (60) — 5194 births — Bennet

73. Aaron (79) — 5174 births — Aron, Eren, Aren, Arin

74. Nolan (64) — 5027 births — Nolen

75. Angel (63) — 4977 births

76. Silas (81) — 4925 births — Sylas, Sylus

77. Amir (95) — 4904 births — Emir, Ameer, Ahmir, Aamir

78. Adrian (72) — 4878 births — Adrien

79. Kai (76) — 4834 births — Khai, Kye, Cai

80. Axel (78) — 4833 births — Axl, Aksel, Axle, Axell

81. Jonathan (83) — 4829 births — Johnathan, Jonathon, Johnathon

82. Elliot (150) — 4819 births — Elliott, Eliot, Eliott

83. Brooks (67) — 4802 births

84. Andrew (68) — 4793 births

85. Ian (75) — 4755 births — Ean

86. Lincoln (73) — 4745 births — Linkin

87. Colton (98) — 4634 births — Kolton, Colten, Kolten

88. Enzo (74) — 4560 births

89. Malachi (149) — 4549 births — Malakai, Malakhi, Malikai, Malaki, Malachai

90. Damian (110) — 4333 births — Damien, Damion

91. Giovanni (122) — 4266 births — Jovanni, Jovani, Giovani, Jiovanni, Geovanni, Giovanny, Jovanny

92. Micah (86) — 4221 births — Mikah

93. Ryan (87) — 4193 births — Rian, Riyan

94. Dominic (108) — 4141 births — Dominick, Dominik, Domenic

95. Everett (85) — 4136 births — Everette

96. Theo (80) — 4110 births

97. Carson (123) — 4108 births — Karson, Karsyn, Karsen, Carsen, Carsyn

98. Walker (82) — 4023 births

99. Leonardo (84) — 3951 births

100. Zayn (249) — 3932 births — Zane, Zayne, Zain, Zaine

Does this list reflect what you are hearing on the playground?