Top Baby Names 2024 – Top 100 Boy and Girl Names of 2024

Looking for the top 100 baby names for boys in 2024 or the top 100 baby girl names in 2024? We have them all here. We also include some great advice on things to consider when choosing baby names.

Are you searching for ideas for baby names? Check out the names below for a list of International favourites as well as a list of the top baby names in New Zealand.

When considering baby names there are a few things to consider – trends and traditions, nicknames and meanings. Some names are banned in New Zealand. And, most importantly, once you choose a name, it has to last a lifetime… literally!

Choosing a baby name can be quite tricky.

So, How Do You Choose a Baby Name?

Choosing a name for your baby is not something parents do at the last minute. Most parents start thinking about names from the moment they know they’re pregnant and some even have names picked out before they conceive.

At the very least, there’s usually a short list of favourites to choose from once baby is born.

All sorts of reasons lead to parents choosing a particular name, and often the hardest part is finding a name that both parents agree on.

Some parents look for names which are purposefully unique and distinctive, while others prefer more classic or traditional titles. A new spelling of an old name is one way to get a compromise.

Usually the meaning or origin of a name is also considered, but more often as an afterthought once the name has already been ‘short listed’.

Family tradition, or remembering a loved one also has a part to play, particularly for middle names.

Old-fashioned names are sometimes modernised so that parents can respect tradition, without landing their child with a name they’ll be embarrassed by.

Trendy celebrity baby names

Just like everything else, there are definite trends in naming your baby. These trends are often influenced by celebrities and major shifts happen every 5-6 years.

Whether it’s a celebrity’s baby or the celebrity themselves, don’t worry too much about the namesake.

Chances are the celebrity will be well and truly forgotten by the time your baby hits their teens and your child will share their name with ordinary people across the world.

Choosing a unique baby name

Some parents like names which are particularly distinct, and search out names they have never come across amongst their own community.

Sometimes these names are chosen for their meanings, but often simply because of the way they sound. Some parents even create names or combine traditional names together to create something truly unique.

Giving your child a unique or distinctive name is a nice way to celebrate their identity, but be aware that as your child grows up, they may not be as grateful as you had hoped.

If other children (and adults for that matter) struggle to pronounce your child’s name, then nicknames and teasing can result.

Choosing a traditional baby name

Some families have a name or names that have been carried down for generations. If you like the name and both you and your partner are happy to use it, by all means do so.

If, however, the name or the tradition makes you gasp, there are ways you can keep everyone happy. Find a derivative of the traditional name that you actually like.

Margaret for example could be carried on as Margo or Mariah, and James could become Jamain or Jamie.

If you really dislike the name, but would like to carry on some form of family tradition, have a look through the family tree (after naming my daughter Courtney, I discovered both sides of the family had a Courtney several generations back).

A unique spelling of a traditional name

Giving a traditional name a unique spelling is a nice way to carve out your child’s identity, but be prepared for people to misspell their name their entire life (even if they are copying it from the correctly spelled version!)

Granted, it’s not necessarily the end of the world, but if you are choosing a unique spelling so that your child can have a distinctive name, then do think carefully about it.

Jazmin will be called Jasmine, Jhorgia will be called Georgia, and Leigham will still be called Liam.

If you do choose a unique spelling because you prefer the way it looks, then you should go for it. You child will get used to saying that’s with 2 r’s and an i. Trust me.

Could the name be used for teasing?

Like it or not kids can be cruel, and there’s little to battle with it except self confidence and resilience.

Even with a perfectly plain name, there’s bound to be something else your child will be teased about (but don’t panic about it just yet!).

When choosing a name you might want consider how it can be twisted in the playground, but don’t even try to get in the head of an 8 year old – you’ll never win.

Stay away from obvious teasing taunts like initials that spell rude words, or names that rhyme with less than pleasant words, but other than that you’re better spending your energy on building self confidence and a resilient nature.

And, what about a nickname?

Nicknames are a bit of a two-edged sword. Some people believe nicknames are a term of affection, whereas others feel it’s a slur on their identity.

If you don’t want your child’s name to be shortened, then you need to be directive with your friends and family. As your child grows older, you should be prepared to let them make their own decisions regarding a nickname.

Choosing a short name (or one that’s hard to shorten) can sometimes help deter nicknames, but not always.

I chose my daughter’s names with the ‘no nickname’ theory, but already at ages 8 and 10 their nicknames are well and truly ingrained. Courtney has been shortened to Courts, and Eden to Eeds. Go figure?

Or, what about the meaning of a name?

The meaning or origin of a name can make it extra special, but it doesn’t have to be your first consideration.

Once you’ve short-listed some favourites, you can check out the name’s meaning just for curiosity’s sake. Finding that one of your short-listed names means ‘weak willed’ or ‘unfortunate lesson’, may help you with your final decision!

If you want to jump straight to the meaning of names, go here for our A to Z list of boy names and their meanings and go here for our A to Z list of girl names and their meanings.

Follow your heart

Without a doubt, the most important thing to consider when choosing a name for your baby is ‘what feels right to you’?

Logic, tradition, trends and meanings all play a part, but when it comes to the crunch you need to follow your heart.

What’s Trending in 2022?

Well, we were all picking Neve to begin trending this year. Neve Te Aroha Gayford is of course Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford’s daughter.

But we haven’t seen a boost as of yet. In fact, Niamh (the traditional spelling of Neve) last made the top 100 back in the year 2000. Maybe next year!

Trending in baby girls names for 2024

For another year running, Charlotte tops the list for most popular girl’s names. And the increasingly popular Isla and Amelia make up the podium spots. Back in 2010 Isla wasn’t even in the top 20!

Isabella jumps back into the top 10 names this year. But the super-trendy Mila from last year has dropped out of the top 10.

Further down the list Willow, Ruby, Hazel and Ivy all make the top 25. This continues the trend for nature-related names, which gets stronger every year.

Trending in baby boys names for 2024

Incredibly Noah remains the most popular boy’s name and Oliver and Luca are still very popular, continuing their popularity streak!

Arlo, the surprise top 10 entrant from last year, drops all the way down to 18th this year. And the rest of the top 10 are the same traditional names we’ve seen for a number of years. George, William, Hunter, Leo and Lucas have been stables for 4-5 years now.

A few surprises appear further down the list with Archie and Harry in the top 25. And place names are becoming popular for boys, names like Hudson, Jordan, Austin, Phoenix and Kingston.

Top 100 Most Popular Baby Boy Names in 2024

These are the top 100 most popular boys names for 2024, in order of popularity according to Births Deaths and Marriages, a division of the New Zealand Internal Affairs:

Now you know the top 100 baby names for boys. You’ll probably want to find out more about the meanings behind those names. We’ve got you covered.

We’ve collated the 100 most popular baby boy names with meanings, where those names come from, the meanings behind each name, and also popular variations of each name you might like to consider:

Top 100 Most Popular Baby Girl Names in 2024

These are the top 100 most popular girl names for 2024, in order of popularity according to Births Deaths and Marriages, a division of the New Zealand Internal Affairs:

Now you know the top 100 baby names for girls. You’ll probably want to find out more about the meanings behind those names. We’ve got you covered.

We’ve collated the 100 most popular baby girl names with meanings, where those names come from, the meanings behind each name, and also popular variations of each name you might like to consider.

Most Popular Maori Baby Names

If you’re of Maori heritage, or even if you’re not, you should definitely check out the most popular Maori baby names below. These names are becoming more popular every year.

The names in this list are collected from registrations of births in New Zealand and, for the first time, the list includes children born overseas.

Check out our most popular Māori boy and Māori girl baby names here.

Top Biblical Baby Names

Biblical baby names are the mainstay of the most popular names.

The trendy names come and go with the whims of what’s currently cool. But these names, year in year out, remain very popular, and with good reason. Biblical names have wonderful meanings behind them, as well as all that history!

Check out our top 40 biblical baby names.

20 Trendy Celebrity Baby Names

Celebrity baby names are always trendy, and our fav celebs always seem to come up with new and fascinating names for their kids.

Over time the most popular baby names seem to trend with popular celebrity baby names. But if you want to stay ahead of the trend curve, here’s what’s currently trending in the celebrity baby scene.

Now that you know the most popular trending celebrity baby names, you might also want to check out the top biblical baby names.

50 Currently Trending Baby Names

Beyond the hundreds of names already on offer, there are a bunch of names that are currently trending higher.

We’ve broken these down into 5 categories: surnames being used as first names, place names used as names, gemstones, natural names and trending names that can be used for a boy or a girl.

Check out the currently trending baby names below:

Other categories that might get you thinking include Shakespeare, animals, plants and flowers, colours, celebrity names, family names, cars, and emotions.

If you’ve exhausted every name book and website, start reading the dictionary… or you may need to resort to “Eeeny, meeny, miney, mo……”!

Best of luck, and if you’re pregnant right now, be sure to check out all the great information in our Pregnancy section.