New York City
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Published on December 28, 2024
"Emma" and "Liam" Hold Strong as NYC's Top Baby Names of 2023Source: Google Street View

In an annual tradition as predictable as New Year's resolutions, New York City's birth name data has dropped. Brace yourselves, New Yorkers; it looks like playgrounds will continue to echo with calls for "Emma" and "Liam" — your reigning champions of infant monikers. According to the numbers released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Gothamist reports that 743 bundles of joy were named Liam, while 382 were bestowed with the name Emma in 2023.

The trove of data that's practically crawled its way into public view reinforces a trend that has held its ground since 2016 for Liams and 2017 for Emmas. Maintaining their first-place titles, these names have been winning the hearts, or rather, the naming rights, from Manhattan to Brooklyn — the latter which welcomed 22,297 new residents last year, and that's just second place in the borough birth-rate race.

But, let's not overlook the newcomers and the returners. In a move up the baby name stock market, David has snagged the bronze for boy names, sending Ethan tumbling down to seventh. Meanwhile, the ladies’ list saw Sofia rising up the ranks. Michael made a comeback in ninth place, sharing the spotlight with Muhammad, which hit the top 10 for the very first time, ABC 7 New York notes.

Unsurprisingly, New York's penchant for naming offspring after cities continues unabated, with a bevy of little Londons and Brooklyn—and let's not forget the 133 Phoenices—sure to always have a piece of their identity linked to a map. Some parents are turning to nature for inspiration, with 45 newborns answering to Violet and another 100 being called Sage. Reflecting on these christening choices, Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse was attributed stating, "Our youngest New Yorkers are what make our city so special," a sentiment gleaned from both Gothamist and ABC 7 New York.