Boy names that debuted in the U.S. baby name data in 2024

lotus bud

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:

  1. Lahiam, 152 baby boys
  2. Xyleek, 115
  3. Ezelio, 53
  4. Kenzai, 37
  5. Rahzi, 34
  6. Akaay, 32
  7. Zeovanni, 32
  8. Kisen, 31
  9. Acyris, 26
  10. Zyro, 24
  11. Arcaius, 22
  12. Neeom, 22
  13. Zyleel, 21
  14. Khamazi, 19
  15. Zyleek, 19
  16. Soan, 18
  17. Mattisyahu, 17
  18. Jasyi, 16
  19. Zamariel, 16
  20. Manoe, 15
  21. Vedang, 15
  22. Eirian, 14
  23. 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 boysAviance, Bayker, Emren
12 baby boysNivam, Omiras, Syierre, Ziovanni
11 baby boysAliam, Dovy, Izam, Keiver, Meylan, Rivian, Rumani, Sabar, Tezekiah
10 baby boysAcyrus, 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

Girl names that debuted in the U.S. baby name data in 2024

lotus bud

Which girl names emerged in the U.S. baby name data in 2024 for the first time ever?

A total of 721 girl names debuted in the data last year, and the most impressive debut was made by Yashna. Here are the top debuts overall:

  1. Yashna, 170 baby girls
  2. Azeira, 65
  3. Dalzary, 44
  4. Ailanys, 34
  5. Zayelle, 30
  6. Heyssel, 29
  7. Yeshna, 26
  8. Khamyri, 25
  9. Kohani, 24
  10. Navayla, 24
  11. Dahira, 23
  12. Sveya, 23
  13. Xaelia, 22
  14. Zenayla, 22
  15. Avaylah, 21
  16. Cireya, 20
  17. Nevayla, 20
  18. Amrielle, 19
  19. Mikaely, 18
  20. Sidak, 18
  21. Ayliani, 17
  22. Rosaya, 17
  23. Yashnareddy, 17
  24. Khailany, 16
  25. Esmari, 15
  26. Hallyn, 15
  27. Xayoni, 15
  28. Zyalani, 15
  29. Alyzzah, 14
  30. Asiri, 14
  31. Islani, 14
  32. Symori, 14

Yashna could have been influenced by the main female character in the Indian movie Hi Nanna, released in late 2023. (The name of the character’s romantic interest, Viraj, also saw an increase in usage last year.)

Here are some more debuts:

13 baby girlsDenayt, Elianeth, Inti, Izalyn, Jaziriah, Soulie, Sylphiette, Vihanvi, Xialani, Zaierra
12 baby girlsCalissi, Harmyni, Isaliyah, Islarae, Layvani, Tycelyn, Umay, Zuheilyn
11 baby girlsAmaeva, Dreamlyn, Haniely, Knourish, Kylanii, Laineymae, Shreeva, Xenayla
10 baby girlsAjorie, Davileth, Ellavie, Esslyn, Kaeor, Kritara, Ozora, Ralani, Rennala, Rouh, Truce, Vidhitsa, Zeliana, Zenova

Sylphiette seems to originate with the Japanese light novel series Mushoku Tensei (which was adapted into an anime series recently), and Truce was one of the fastest-rising boy names last year.

Finally, here’s a selection of the rest of the debuts:

  • 9 baby girls: Eliel, Gelani, Iclynn, Laguna, Nadxheli, Raiha, Tahyssia, Wynrie
  • 8 baby girls: Alaula, Bimori, Canari, Daybelis, Hande, Issoria, Keyleth, Luseh, Malaica, Nashlyn, Roper, Shriva, Vexahlia, Winshaida
  • 7 baby girls: Anzish, Chrome, Dashely, Faela, Gialani, Koriandr, Luvlee, Malou, Nektaria, Reazyn, Saiomi, Takdeer, Tallinn, Wailani, Zenelle
  • 6 baby girls: Aigy, Azurra, Bibihalima, Caiani, Deluna, Emzara, Heva, Idika, Keava, Liserly, Mactzil, Mauve, Millerkate, Nephele, Omisha, Raziella, Sanoa, Talvi, Vidhatri, Wrenlei, Xanai, Ysabeau, Zissi
  • 5 baby girls: Abundance, Aikol, Bomi, Chylo, Dashelly, Esila, Fairlight, Gwiza, Haegan, Ionie, Jaomi, Kolibri, Lifsha, Menata, Nivira, Olalla, Pneuma, Quori, Rasta, Shacarri, Tullie, Valleigh, Xielo, Yaqut, Zoet

Shacarri was no doubt inspired by sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. She’s been making headlines for several years now, but in 2024 specifically she won a pair of medals (gold and silver) at the Paris Olympics.

(And, more generally: Laguna means “lagoon” in Spanish, Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, Mactzil means “miracle” in Mayan, and Pneuma means “breath” in Ancient Greek.)

If you can explain any of the other debuts, please leave a comment!

Sources: SSA, Wiktionary

Image: Adapted from LotusBud0048a (public domain) by Frank “Fg2” Gualtieri

Girl names that returned to the U.S. baby name data in 2024

young leaves

In 2024, which girl names re-emerged most impressively in the U.S. baby name data (after an absence of at least one year)?

Here are the top 10+ girl-name returns:

  1. Niamani, 49 baby girls
  2. Angelli, 43
  3. Lyanni, 43
  4. Saroya, 42
  5. Nyava, 30
  6. Nadalia, 29
  7. Sanora, 25
  8. Briggitte, 22
  9. Zyrielle, 22
  10. Francia, 21
  11. Kemistry, 21

If you can think of an explanation for any of them, please leave a comment!

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from First leaves Novosibirsk Siberia 24.04.2012 by Mikhail Koninin under CC BY 2.0.

Boy names that returned to the U.S. baby name data in 2024

young leaves

In 2024, which boy names re-emerged most impressively in the U.S. baby name data (after an absence of at least one year)?

Here are the top 10+ boy-name returns:

  1. Amai, 38 baby boys
  2. Maelo, 23 (3-way tie)
  3. Obaida, 23 (3-way tie)
  4. Sylo, 23 (3-way tie)
  5. Hayaan, 21
  6. Juaquin, 20
  7. Britt, 19 (3-way tie)
  8. Dylam, 19 (3-way tie)
  9. Tayen, 19 (3-way tie)
  10. Taige, 18 (tie)
  11. Windham, 18 (tie)

Interestingly, one of the top returns of 2023 was Wyndham.

If you can think of an explanation for any of the returns listed above, please leave a comment!

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from First leaves Novosibirsk Siberia 24.04.2012 by Mikhail Koninin under CC BY 2.0.