Australia Top Baby Names 2024

The most interesting thing about the Top 200 Baby Names Australia 2024 is that Charlotte has dropped down to the third most popular baby name for the first time in over a decade.

I have to wonder if the reason for this is the TV show Queen Charlotte airing in 2023. There is a fine line between names in media and popular culture increasing the popularity of name or it sharply falling out of use. I don’t think that the Bridgeton prequel would have the same level of influence as Taylor Swift. I’m expecting Charlotte to make a speedy recovery in 2025. 

Top 10 Girls Baby Names

Other than Charlotte and Isla swapping positions,  the Top 10 girls names has maintained Olivia (4), Mia (5), Ava (6) and Matilda (7) all in the same positions as last year. But Harper (8), Lily (9) and Hazel (10) all popped up into the top 10 this year. Lily has risen quickly from position 21 in 2021. 

Top 10 Boys Baby Names

Oliver holding the top spot for 11 years  And Noah number 2 since 2020. Otherwise there have been some reasonably “big” changes to the other top spots despite Australian’s typically being very consistent in the naming of our sons. Jack in position 10 after being in the top 3 since 2011.  William also dropped down to 9 after being in the top 3 since 2010. Henry creeping up into number 3 after climbing up to the top 10 in 2018.  And Luca has replaced Lucas in the top 10 for 2024. (And Lucas dropped down to number 13) 

Baby Names Trends for 2024

Girls’ names ending with vowel sounds 

This has  been a consistent trend with girl baby names, but a staggering 78 out of the top 100 girls names for 2024 ends with a vowel sound. This naming trend is mostly split between the “a” sound in Isla (1)  Amelia (2)  and Olivia (4). Or the “ie” sound in Lily (9), Ivy (13) and Sophie (17).

With the outlying vowel sounds being “or” in Eleanor (45) “o” in Willow (15), Margot (68) and Harlow (83).

Shortened versions of names

Nicknames or shortened versions of existing names have firmly become names of their own as an ongoing trend. Generally the full version of the name is more popular. For example Oliver (1) and Ollie (84), Theodore (5) and Theo (36), Harrison (23) and Harry (35). But in some cases the shortened version is more popular, like Leo (4) and Leonardo (94) and Jack (10) and Jackson (60)

This is also seen with the girls names in Bella (76) and Isabella (16)

Botanically inspired girls names

Not a surprise here that botanical girls’ names are still trending. Lily (9), Hazel (1), Ivy (13), Willow (15), Daisy (23), Violet (24), Poppy (46),  Olive (59),  Rose (85). If we expanded to a broad definition of nature/naturally occurring things this would also include  Sienna (21), Ruby (22), Luna (41), Aurora (44), Summer (62), Savannah (73)

And I feel like Eden fits the vibe as a reference to a garden. 

Traditional English names 

Again, no surprises that many popular boys’ baby names in Australia are traditional English names. Quite a lot of the names are shared with British royals – past and present.

For the boys that includes Henry (3), William (8), Charlie (9), Thomas (11) James (17), Arthur (24), George (26) Edward (49) 

For girls we have fewer names immediately associated with well known British royals like Charlotte (3) and Elizabeth (80). But still quite a few examples of very traditional names like Audrey (34), Mauve (43), Eleanor (45), Abigail (58), Eloise (66)  and Adeline (77).

Source mccrindle.com