Which boy names emerged in the U.S. baby name data in 2024 for the first time ever?
A total of 628 boy names debuted in the data last year, and the most impressive debut was made by Lahiam. Here are the top debuts overall:
- Lahiam, 152 baby boys
- Xyleek, 115
- Ezelio, 53
- Kenzai, 37
- Rahzi, 34
- Akaay, 32
- Zeovanni, 32
- Kisen, 31
- Acyris, 26
- Zyro, 24
- Arcaius, 22
- Neeom, 22
- Zyleel, 21
- Khamazi, 19
- Zyleek, 19
- Soan, 18
- Mattisyahu, 17
- Jasyi, 16
- Zamariel, 16
- Manoe, 15
- Vedang, 15
- Eirian, 14
- Mcaiden, 14
Colombian social media influencer Katy Cardona (who has over 10 million followers on TikTok and over 3 million on Instagram) had a son named Lahiam in March of 2024.
Here are some more debuts:
| 13 baby boys | Aviance, Bayker, Emren |
| 12 baby boys | Nivam, Omiras, Syierre, Ziovanni |
| 11 baby boys | Aliam, Dovy, Izam, Keiver, Meylan, Rivian, Rumani, Sabar, Tezekiah |
| 10 baby boys | Acyrus, Adwait, Arzen, Jeider, Jhyzir, Kameiro, Kazai, Kyis, Naunihal, Ohtani, Ravilucca, Renlen, Santori |
Ohtani was inspired by baseball pitcher/DH Shohei Ohtani, the three-time MVP who won his first World Series last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers. (His first name returned to the data in 2023.)
Finally, here’s a sampling of the rest of the debuts:
- 9 baby boys: Alessi, Giomani, Kavello, Rudeus, Seoul, Stolas, Zaelix
- 8 baby boys: Azuryn, Banjo, Briadam, Cassio, Dieumerci, Ezzeldin, Kovey, Nischay, Ozian, Solano
- 7 baby boys: Altai, Arize, Bellingham, Esoni, Frantzley, Gursher, Hakari, Kodis, Lyham, Omiri, Rennox, Woodmael, Yloan
- 6 baby boys: Axios, Bandit, Camzen, Dunia, Ezrian, Franyel, Grizz, Gurtegh, Invictus, Josthin, Kallo, Lawakua, Mpano, Oceanus, Ripper, Ritsu, Sangwa, Vajra, Xolo, Yelson, Zelle
- 5 baby boys: Atreides, Beaudie, Charter, Crow, Damjan, Elionai, Fatehbir, Galahad, Gratian, Jingze, Kanekoa, Lienzo, Methuselah, Nofal, Olukolade, Pressure, Rexley, Searcher, Stunner, Teotl, Thrasher, Vedavid, Whip, Xol, Yitbarek, Zanvil
Briadam was likely influenced by Cuban-American diver Briadam Herrera, who was featured on two seasons of the reality competition series Exatlón Estados Unidos.
Atreides probably refers to Paul Atreides, the main character of the recent movies Dune and Dune: Part Two, which were based on the 1965 book Dune by Frank Herbert.
(A few extra facts: Seoul is the capital of South Korea, Dieumerci means “thank God” in French, Grizz is the mascot of the Memphis Grizzlies, Invictus means “unconquered” in Latin, Kanekoa is a Hawaiian deity, Lawakua means “strong-backed” in Hawaiian, and Teotl refers to “a divine or sacred force” in Nahuatl.)
If you can explain any of the other debuts, please leave a comment!
Sources: SSA, Wikipedia, Online Nahuatl Dictionary, Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian Language Dictionaries
Image: Adapted from LotusBud0048a (public domain) by Frank “Fg2” Gualtieri
