Emma or Olivia? Liam or Noah?

This post utilises the Baby Names data (2012 - 2021) from New York City.
Click here to explore an interactive chart of the Top 10 Baby Names.

Table of contents

1. Introduction

Naming a baby is no simple feat — it involves dreams, hopes, and sometimes even spirited debates. In the bustling city of New York, have you ever wondered which names have been stealing the spotlight?

Over the past decade (2012–2021), four names have been in a friendly competition at the top of the charts: Emma vs. Olivia for girls, and Liam vs. Noah for boys.

Let’s dive into this playful showdown and see how these names have captured the hearts of New York parents throughout the decade.

2. Top Baby Names

A Dual Battle of Favourites

Analyzing the top three baby names in NYC from 2012 to 2021, we notice some interesting shifts:

• For girls, we see Emma has steadily climbed the rankings, clinching the top spot since 2017. Olivia, meanwhile, has had a winding journey to second place in 2021, consistently in the top five but with a few twists and turns along the way.
  Names like Sophia and Isabella, crowd favourites earlier in the decade, have gently stepped back, but still shine brightly within the top seven — a testament to their timeless charm.

• For boys, the competition for the top spot was a lot fiercer. Liam rocketed from 18th place in 2012 to seize the number one position from 2016 onward. Noah followed a similar path, rising in popularity mid-decade and has secured the number two spot since 2017.
  The ascent of Liam and Noah nudged earlier favorites like Ethan and Jacob slightly down the list, though these classics continue to charm parents, remaining solidly within the top five throughout the decade.

3. Trends Over Time

What’s in a Name?

The reasons behind the popularity of certain names have been a delightful topic of speculation. Some reporters have attributed the rise of “Liam-mania” to influences from celebrity and pop culture. Consider the timeline:

• The success of “Taken” starring Liam Neeson in 2008.
• The split of Oasis (fronted by Liam Gallagher) in 2009.
• The “Hunger Games” franchise featuring Liam Hemsworth from 2012 to 2015.

Whether these celebrities and films have had a delayed impact on naming trends is anyone’s guess, but it is fun to imagine.

What we do know is that choosing a baby name is an emotionally charged process. Parents often ponder the long-term impact of a child’s name — how it shapes identity and influences name stereotypes.

During the 2020 pandemic, the online baby-naming website Nameberry reported a surge in searches for names with optimistic meanings.

For instance:

• Zora, meaning “dawn,” saw a 40% increase.
• Alma, meaning “soul” in Spanish, rose by 37%.

It seems challenging times inspire hopeful names.

4. Ethnic Diversity

Name Choices Across Communities

New York City’s rich cultural tapestry adds even more flavor to these naming trends. While names like Emma and Noah are popular across the board, others hold special significance within different communities.

For example, in 2020 and 2021:

• Ava and Nova were the top two girl names among the Black (Non-Hispanic) community, reflecting unique cultural preferences.

• Boy names like Moshe, Joseph, and David were the top three for the White (Non-Hispanic) community, highlighting cherished traditional choices.

Given that over 70% of babies each year were from the White (Non-Hispanic) and Hispanic communities in NYC, the city’s top name choices also mirror the preferences within these communities.

5. What Names Will Trend in NYC Next?

As we look to the future, some emerging names have already made a splash on NYC’s baby name charts:

• For girls, Luna soared from 118th place in 2012 all the way up to 9th in 2021.
• For boys, Mateo climbed from the 93rd position in 2012 to 38th in 2021.

These rising stars might be aided by the influences of popular culture and the growing Hispanic community. Meanwhile, names like Harper and Elijah are also catching on, hinting at a shift toward names that are both unique and traditional.

While we can’t predict whether favourites like Emma or Liam will continue to reign supreme or if new contenders will capture the hearts of NYC parents, let’s remember that choosing a name for your child is a delightful privilege — one that’s meant to be fun and liberating.

So embrace the journey, enjoy the process, and who knows? Maybe your little one’s name will be the next big trend.

Feel free to dive into the data, have fun exploring names, and perhaps you’ll spot the next rising star on the NYC’s baby name charts.