Popular Baby Names in New York City
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) of New York City collects baby names through civil birth registration. The following analysis is on the naming trends across different genders and ethnic groups from 2011 to 2019.
Overview
Note that the names being analyzed include all names that appeared at least 10 times in any given year for a specific gender and ethnic group.
Key Findings
- Girls are afforded a broader array of naming options compared to boys, reflecting a wider array of inspirations for female names.
- The choice of names is significantly influenced by ethnic backgrounds, indicating that cultural heritage plays a significant role in naming conventions.
- Certain names like Liam, Noah, Emma, and Olivia have maintained high popularity, consistently appearing in the top ranks.
Gender and Ethnicity Distribution
There were 1,077 unique names among the 266,242 girls, compared to 897 names among the 339,862 boys. This indicates that there is a greater variety of distinct names for girls than for boys.
| Category | Distinct Names | Total Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Boys | 897 | 339,862 |
| Girls | 1,077 | 266,242 |
The table below presents the number of different names and the total counts of occurrences for each ethnic group.
| Ethnicity | Distinct Names | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| Asian and Pacific Islander | 593 | 82,045 |
| Black Non-Hispanic | 614 | 84,173 |
| Hispanic | 930 | 197,749 |
| White Non-Hispanic | 1,088 | 242,137 |
This table provides a clear overview of naming diversity and popularity across different ethnic groups in NYC. White Non-Hispanic and Hispanic ethnic groups not only have a larger number of unique names compared to the other groups but also have significantly higher total counts, indicating a wider variety of names and possibly a larger population size. Asian and Pacific Islander and Black Non-Hispanic groups have fewer unique names and total counts, suggesting a narrower range of popular names and a smaller population size.
Data Analysis
Most Popular Names Overall
The following table showcases the top-20 most popular baby names in New York City for each gender, highlighting a diverse array of names that have captured the preferences of parents. Ethan and Sophia lead the rankings as the most popular names for boys and girls, respectively.
| Rank | Boy Name | Occurrences | Girl Name | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ethan | 5,867 | Sophia | 4,814 |
| 2 | Jacob | 5,649 | Isabella | 4,584 |
| 3 | Liam | 5,453 | Olivia | 4,492 |
| 4 | Jayden | 5,210 | Emma | 4,477 |
| 5 | Noah | 5,171 | Mia | 4,197 |
| 6 | Daniel | 4,753 | Emily | 3,371 |
| 7 | Matthew | 4,649 | Leah | 3,326 |
| 8 | David | 4,617 | Ava | 3,225 |
| 9 | Michael | 4,512 | Chloe | 2,902 |
| 10 | Aiden | 4,504 | Sarah | 2,787 |
| 11 | Alexander | 4,237 | Sofia | 2,746 |
| 12 | Dylan | 4,023 | Madison | 2,700 |
| 13 | Joseph | 4,020 | Abigail | 2,532 |
| 14 | Lucas | 4,011 | Victoria | 2,272 |
| 15 | Ryan | 3,866 | Esther | 2,235 |
| 16 | Mason | 3,571 | Zoe | 2,144 |
| 17 | James | 3,220 | Charlotte | 2,132 |
| 18 | Sebastian | 3,110 | Rachel | 2,017 |
| 19 | Benjamin | 3,107 | Amelia | 2,016 |
| 20 | Joshua | 3,081 | Maya | 1,866 |
The list for boys features a mix of traditional and contemporary names, including Jacob, Liam, and Jayden, while the girls' list includes timeless choices like Isabella, Olivia, and Emma, as well as modern favorites such as Mia and Ava. The occurrences reflect not only the popularity of these names but also suggest trends in naming that blend classical influences with modern tastes.
Names like Michael, David, and James, which have been popular across generations, appear alongside newer favorites like Aiden and Mason for boys. Similarly, the girls' list juxtaposes traditional names like Emily, Leah, and Sarah with newer trends such as Chloe, Sofia, and Madison.
Overall, the diversity of names across both genders points to a wide range of influences shaping naming practices, from cultural and familial traditions to popular culture and beyond. The table reflects the rich tapestry of naming preferences in New York City, showcasing the uniqueness and variety of choices among its residents.
Most Popular Names by Ethnicity
The tables below provide a ranking of the top-10 names for boys and girls within each ethnic group, showing the name alongside its occurrence count.
| Rank | Asian and Pacific Islander | Black Non-Hispanic | Hispanic | White Non-Hispanic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ethan (1518) | Noah (1202) | Liam (2719) | David (2485) |
| 2 | Jayden (1437) | Aiden (1133) | Jacob (2630) | Joseph (2464) |
| 3 | Ryan (1370) | Elijah (985) | Ethan (2595) | Michael (2233) |
| 4 | Lucas (1331) | Jeremiah (962) | Daniel (2511) | Benjamin (2225) |
| 5 | Muhammad (1302) | Joshua (945) | Matthew (2355) | Jacob (2216) |
| 6 | Aiden (1286) | Isaiah (925) | Jayden (2303) | Samuel (2196) |
| 7 | Daniel (1263) | Christian (903) | Alexander (2288) | Alexander (2187) |
| 8 | Kevin (1195) | Michael (883) | Noah (2273) | Jack (2124) |
| 9 | William (1164) | Caleb (864) | Dylan (2256) | Daniel (2093) |
| 10 | Jason (1153) | Tyler (848) | Oliver (2236) | James (2084) |
Ethan and Liam are notably popular across multiple ethnic groups, with Ethan leading among Asian and Pacific Islanders and Liam being the most popular in the Hispanic category. David and Joseph are particularly favored in the White Non-Hispanic group, indicating a preference for traditional biblical names within this demographic. The names vary significantly across ethnicities, reflecting diverse cultural influences and preferences. For instance, Jayden ranks high among Asian and Pacific Islanders and Hispanics but is not in the top for White Non-Hispanics.
| Rank | Asian and Pacific Islander | Black Non-Hispanic | Hispanic | White Non-Hispanic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sophia (1192) | Madison (898) | Isabella (2700) | Emma (2287) |
| 2 | Chloe (1167) | London (887) | Sophia (2592) | Olivia (2190) |
| 3 | Emily (964) | Ava (785) | Mia (2514) | Leah (2175) |
| 4 | Emma (927) | Skylar (776) | Camila (2468) | Sarah (2155) |
| 5 | Isabella (918) | Aaliyah (775) | Valentina (2459) | Esther (2140) |
| 6 | Olivia (813) | Kayla (774) | Olivia (2443) | Rachel (2135) |
| 7 | Mia (795) | Nevaeh (738) | Emma (2418) | Chaya (2126) |
| 8 | Zoe (774) | Arianna (731) | Victoria (2409) | Miriam (2107) |
| 9 | Lily (763) | Serenity (727) | Sofia (2390) | Ava (2075) |
| 10 | Ella (758) | Peyton (724) | Emily (2378) | Sophia (2060) |
Isabella and Sophia are overwhelmingly popular across all ethnic groups, highlighting a universal appeal of these names in New York City. Ethnic preferences are also evident in girls' names, with Emma and Olivia being top choices in the White Non-Hispanic group, while Madison and London are favored among Black Non-Hispanics. The Hispanic community shows a distinct preference for names like Camila and Valentina, which are less common in the other groups.
The tables collectively offer insights into the naming trends within New York City's diverse communities, showcasing how cultural backgrounds influence naming decisions. The data reveals both shared preferences across ethnicities for certain names and unique choices that reflect the rich cultural heritage of each group.
Naming Trends Over the Years
The number of unique names given to boys has remained relatively stable over the years, fluctuating slightly around an average of around 580 names per year from 2011 to 2019. The total counts of names (indicative of the number of male births recorded with those names) have shown a slight decreasing trend, from 38,437 in 2011 to 33,876 in 2019.
Similar to boys, the number of unique names for girls has been quite stable, with a slight trend towards fewer unique names from 644 in 2011 to 623 in 2019. The total counts for girls have also shown a decreasing trend, from 29,487 in 2011 to 26,820 in 2019.
Both boys and girls show a stable diversity in names with a slight decrease in the total number of births recorded over the years. The number of unique names for girls is consistently higher than for boys, suggesting a greater variety in naming conventions for female children.
| Year | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 | Rank 4 | Rank 5 | Rank 6 | Rank 7 | Rank 8 | Rank 9 | Rank 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Liam | Noah | Ethan | Jacob | Lucas | Aiden | Daniel | Michael | David | Matthew |
| 2018 | Liam | Noah | Ethan | Jacob | Aiden | David | Lucas | Matthew | Daniel | Alexander |
| 2017 | Liam | Noah | Jacob | Ethan | David | Matthew | Jayden | Lucas | Daniel | Joseph |
| 2016 | Liam | Jacob | Ethan | Noah | Matthew | Aiden | Daniel | Lucas | Michael | Dylan |
| 2015 | Ethan | Liam | Noah | Jacob | Jayden | Matthew | David | Daniel | Dylan | Aiden |
| 2014 | Ethan | Jacob | Liam | Jayden | Noah | Daniel | Michael | Alexander | David | Matthew |
| 2013 | Jayden | Ethan | Jacob | Daniel | David | Noah | Michael | Matthew | Alexander | Liam |
| 2012 | Jayden | Ethan | Jacob | Daniel | Matthew | Michael | Aiden | David | Ryan | Alexander |
| 2011 | Jayden | Jacob | Ethan | Matthew | Michael | Daniel | Justin | David | Aiden | Alexander |
| Year | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 | Rank 4 | Rank 5 | Rank 6 | Rank 7 | Rank 8 | Rank 9 | Rank 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Emma | Olivia | Sophia | Mia | Isabella | Leah | Ava | Amelia | Chloe | Charlotte |
| 2018 | Emma | Isabella | Sophia | Mia | Olivia | Ava | Leah | Sarah | Amelia | Chloe |
| 2017 | Emma | Olivia | Mia | Sophia | Isabella | Ava | Leah | Emily | Sarah | Abigail |
| 2016 | Olivia | Sophia | Emma | Mia | Isabella | Ava | Emily | Leah | Sarah | Madison |
| 2015 | Olivia | Sophia | Emma | Mia | Isabella | Leah | Emily | Ava | Chloe | Madison |
| 2014 | Sophia | Isabella | Olivia | Mia | Emma | Emily | Leah | Sofia | Ava | Chloe |
| 2013 | Sophia | Isabella | Emma | Olivia | Mia | Emily | Leah | Sofia | Madison | Chloe |
| 2012 | Sophia | Isabella | Emma | Emily | Olivia | Mia | Chloe | Madison | Leah | Ava |
| 2011 | Isabella | Sophia | Olivia | Emma | Mia | Emily | Madison | Leah | Chloe | Sarah |
For boys, names like Liam and Noah consistently appear in the top ranks towards the later years, indicating a strong preference for these names among parents. While certain names remain popular over the years, there is also a diversity in the top names, with new entries appearing and some fluctuating in rank, reflecting changing trends and preferences. The variety of names, including Aiden, Jacob, and Ethan, suggests a mix of cultural influences on naming trends.
For girls, Emma, Olivia, and Sophia consistently appear as top names throughout the years, showcasing their enduring popularity. While some names remain popular, others like Isabella, Mia, and Ava move up and down in the rankings, indicating shifts in parental preferences. Names such as Emily, Leah, and Chloe have a timeless appeal, maintaining their presence in the top 10 across several years.
Dataset Information
Popular Baby Names
This dataset is provided by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) of New York City, containing information on popular baby names in New York City, structured with the following columns:
- Year of Birth: The year the data was recorded.
- Gender: The gender of the child (Female or Male).
- Ethnicity: The ethnicity of the child (Hispanic, White Non-Hispanic, Black Non-Hispanic, or Asian and Pacific Islander).
- Child's First Name: The first name of the child.
- Count: The number of occurrences of the name.
- Rank: The popularity rank of the name within the specified year, gender, and ethnicity.
The dataset covers baby names from the years 2011 to 2019. It contains a total of 18053 entries, with names spanning across two genders and four distinct ethnic groups. A total of 1,938 unique first names are recorded. Among the genders, females have a wider variety of names with 1,077 unique names in 9,179 entries, compared to 897 unique names for males in 8,874 entries. Hispanic and White Non-Hispanic are the most represented ethnicities in the dataset.