The Social Security Administration’s latest data on baby names confirms that Olivia and Liam remain the most popular choices for newborns across the United States in 2025. The agency released state-by-state rankings this month, showing little change from 2024 but notable exceptions in roughly a dozen states.
Nationally, Olivia held the top spot for girls, while Liam led for boys, matching the previous year’s results. The top 10 lists for both genders saw minimal reshuffling, indicating a sustained trend toward classic names. However, state-level data reveals regional variations, with names like Theodore, Charlotte, and Amelia gaining ground in certain areas.
State Highlights and Trends
In Alabama, John and Charlotte topped the list, while Alaska saw Noah and Charlotte rise. Arizona, California, and Florida held steady with Liam and Olivia. Notably, Theodore emerged as the most popular boy’s name in Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Wyoming, signaling a shift from Oliver and Noah in those states.
For girls, Charlotte continued to dominate in many states, including Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, and Delaware. In Hawaii, Elija and Isla took the lead, while Maryland saw Liam and Ailany top the list. The District of Columbia favored Noah and Emma in 2025, a change from James and Charlotte the prior year.
Political and Cultural Context
While baby name trends may seem apolitical, they often reflect broader cultural shifts. The rise of names like Theodore and Charlotte could be linked to popular media or even political figures. As family names loom large in the 2026 midterms, the influence of public figures on naming choices is worth noting.
Parenting site BabyCenter has predicted that TV shows, singers, sports, books, and even the papacy could influence names in 2026. However, some names may fade into obscurity as generational preferences shift.
Data Access and Methodology
The SSA’s data is based on newborn card applications filed in 2025. The agency provides top 100 names for each state and year since 1960 on its website. For 2025, the top names remained unchanged in about a dozen states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio, where Oliver and Charlotte held firm.
In contrast, states like Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota saw shifts, with Liam and Charlotte gaining prominence. The data offers a snapshot of naming trends that can inform everything from marketing to sociological research.
As the nation prepares for upcoming political battles, such as the White House threat to cut Medicaid funds over fraud compliance, even baby names can serve as a cultural barometer. The consistency of Olivia and Liam suggests a preference for established names, while regional variations hint at localized influences.
