The National Records of Scotland has released its latest data on baby names for 2024, revealing a fascinating array of trends and inspirations that have influenced new parents across the country. This year’s report focuses on names given to three or more babies in Scotland, allowing for a clearer understanding of the popularity of various names.
In the rankings, Noah and Olivia emerged as the most popular baby names in Scotland for 2024. Noah has previously held the number one position, having last claimed it in 2022, and has maintained a presence in the top three since 2020. Olivia, having topped the girls' list a remarkable seven times, has been a staple in either first or second place since 2016. Notably, Noah reclaiming the top spot from Luca, which fell to fifth place this year after only one year of prominence, highlights the shifting naming landscape.
Amidst the trends, the influence of pop culture remains a significant factor in baby naming. The year 2024 saw a flourishing of inspiration from contemporary film, television, and music, with Scottish parents frequently drawing from their favourite pop icons. Billie was identified as the most popular name among girls, possibly influenced by the music of Billie Eilish. Names like Dua, stemming from singer Dua Lipa, and Sabrina, after Sabrina Carpenter, also showed slight year-on-year increases in popularity. Despite the summer of pop success labelled "Brat Summer," Charli managed a modest rise from fourth to fifth place in the rankings.
Names from beloved media franchises also appeared on the list. Notably, three babies were named Renesmee, a name derived from Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, which is experiencing a revival largely due to social media engagement. The books, published between 2005 and 2008, and the films released between 2008 and 2012, have kept the name relevant in recent years.
Beyond pop culture, current events also appear to influence naming decisions. The name Elon saw a rise in popularity, with three babies named Elon in 2024, likely influenced by the high-profile status of businessman Elon Musk. Prior to this year, the name had seen sporadic use, with only five instances recorded from 2016 to 2021.
An interesting trend observed this year relates to the enduring fascination with mythology. Names inspired by ancient mythology, particularly Norse and Greek, continue to attract attention. Odin, the king of Asgard, appears to be the frontrunner in popularity among mythological names, while Freyja—reflecting the Old Norse spelling for the goddess of love—also enjoys favour.
The report also examined names that have fallen out of favour. In the past year, names such as Graeme, Dale, and Kelly, which were once popular, were not used at all for newborns, marking a first in their absence from the list. This year's dataset also for the first time excludes names that were recorded fewer than three times.
While some names fade into obscurity, others are experiencing a notable surge. The name Maeve underwent a significant increase, soaring from just 19 registrations in 2019 to 129 in 2024—a remarkable rise of 578.9%. Additionally, Myles and Callan emerged as popular choices for baby boys, each surpassing the 100-baby mark for the first time.
As the trends in baby naming continually evolve, the report provides a glimpse into the diverse sources of inspiration that Scottish parents are exploring in 2024. Parents and interested observers alike can delve deeper into the data to examine local trends and historical naming patterns.
Source: Noah Wire Services