Fourth straight year Germany sees Noah as the most frequently chosen baby name
In a comprehensive study conducted by the website Babell, the top 10 most popular baby names in Germany for the year 2024 have been revealed. The research, which analysed almost 145,000 birth registrations from January to December 2024, provides an insightful look into the naming trends of parents across the country.
Girls' Names
The top three names for girls in Germany for 2024 are Emilia, Emma, and Mia. These names have remained unchanged from the previous year, reflecting their enduring popularity. Emilia, a name of Latin origin, has been a consistent favourite, while Emma, a German and English name, has also been popular for many years. Mia, a short form of Maria or Mary, takes the fourth position, marking its return to the top three positions after being replaced by Sophia in 2023.
Sophia, which has moved from the third position to the fourth position for girls' names, remains a popular choice, as does Lilly, which holds the sixth position. New entrants Lia and Leni have made significant strides, with Lia moving up two places to the seventh position and Leni moving up four places to the eighth position.
Boys' Names
On the boys' side, Elias, Noah, and Emil top the list. Noah, the most popular name for the fourth year in a row, originates from the Hebrew and means "comfort" or "the bringer of rest." Elias, a name of Hebrew origin meaning "God is my God," has been a consistent favourite for several years. Emil, a German name, is a variant of the name Emilie and has been popular for many years.
Finn, which slipped significantly out of the top 10 last year, has made a strong comeback, securing the fifth position in 2024. Other popular names include Leo, Luca, and Lou, which are also popular as unisex names.
Notable mentions include Henry/Henri, which is continuing its upward trend of recent years and is now in fourth place, and Leon, one of the evangelists in the New Testament, which is also a popular name for boys.
The research covered birth registrations from all over Germany, as there is no official body that keeps statistics on first names given nationwide. This makes the findings of Babell's study a valuable resource for understanding naming trends in the country.
[1] Babell, the website that conducted the research, provides more detailed information about the naming trends in Germany, including the full top 100 lists for both boys and girls, as well as insights into the popularity of unisex names.
In the home-and-garden sphere, one might find a keen interest in interpreting the shift in baby naming trends reflected in the lifestyle of German parents, as revealed by Babell's study. For instance, the popularity of the name Emilia, which maintains its top spot for girls, could influence the choice of gender-neutral or vintage home decor. Similarly, the rise of Leo and Luca among boys' names could spark a resurgence in classic, timeless home designs echoing these names' historical significance.
