The name game of 2025: Here are the baby names that may dominate Australia this year
- Replies 14
As we look ahead to the future, it's fascinating to see how trends evolve, and baby names are no exception.
The McCrindle 2025 Australian Baby Names report recently revealed some surprising shifts among Australian parents.
If you're a grandparent-to-be or curious about the names that could fill classrooms for years, pay attention to these findings.
McCrindle's 2025 report indicated a significant change in baby-naming conventions.
Names that were once staples are now becoming relics of the past.
The allure of traditional names has waned as Australian parents now opt for brevity and uniqueness over their children's names.
Michael, once a byword for a boy's name in Australia, saw a drastic fall.
No longer sitting comfortably in the top 100, Michael has plummeted to position 104.
Similarly, Charles, another classic name, now ranks at 121.
Yet, it's not just the boys' names feeling the winds of change; girls' names like Thea and Quinn also tumbled down the rankings.
Thea has dropped to the 188th spot, and Quinn slipped down from 91 to 111.
A trend towards shorter, more distinctive names has been particular among younger generations of parents.
Parents don't just choose different names; they are also reinventing existing ones.
Traditional names are being transformed through creative spellings and abbreviations.
For instance, Leo, Billy, and Tommy have emerged as popular name choices for boys.
Meanwhile, girls are being named Frankie, Elsie, and Lottie—all diminutive forms of longer, more traditional names.
McCrindle's Director of Advisory, Ashley Fell, explained that nicknames are increasingly being used as first names.
These findings showed a broader trend of parents seeking out unique identities for their children.
So, what names are topping the charts?
Oliver continues its reign as the most popular name for boys for the past 12 years.
Noah, Theodore, and Henry have remained as some of the top name choices for boys.
For girls, Charlotte has reclaimed the top spot, with Amelia and Isla close behind.
Interestingly, Charlotte has been the preferred name for girls born in Generation Alpha.
Newcomers to the girls' top ten names included Sophie and Grace.
Other names, such as Arthur, Arlo, and Luna, also became top picks.
Middle names also saw a surge in popularity.
NSW released the top ten middle names for babies born in the last year.
This list revealed that when it comes to middle names, parents have been favouring names like James, Rose, and Grace.
As we usher in Generation Beta, McCrindle has its eye on names like Millie, Maeve, Beau, and Theo, as they could rise in popularity among the newest generation of parents.
Whether you're embracing the new trends or sticking to the classics, the names we choose for our children are a reflection of the times.
You may read the full list here.
So, what do you think of these emerging trends? Do you have a favourite name from the list, or perhaps one that you feel deserves a comeback? Share your thoughts and let us know if any of your family's names have made the list!
The McCrindle 2025 Australian Baby Names report recently revealed some surprising shifts among Australian parents.
If you're a grandparent-to-be or curious about the names that could fill classrooms for years, pay attention to these findings.
McCrindle's 2025 report indicated a significant change in baby-naming conventions.
Names that were once staples are now becoming relics of the past.
The allure of traditional names has waned as Australian parents now opt for brevity and uniqueness over their children's names.
Grandparents may see a changing trend among baby names for the next few years. Image Credit: Pexels/Rene Terp
Michael, once a byword for a boy's name in Australia, saw a drastic fall.
No longer sitting comfortably in the top 100, Michael has plummeted to position 104.
Similarly, Charles, another classic name, now ranks at 121.
Yet, it's not just the boys' names feeling the winds of change; girls' names like Thea and Quinn also tumbled down the rankings.
Thea has dropped to the 188th spot, and Quinn slipped down from 91 to 111.
A trend towards shorter, more distinctive names has been particular among younger generations of parents.
Parents don't just choose different names; they are also reinventing existing ones.
Traditional names are being transformed through creative spellings and abbreviations.
For instance, Leo, Billy, and Tommy have emerged as popular name choices for boys.
Meanwhile, girls are being named Frankie, Elsie, and Lottie—all diminutive forms of longer, more traditional names.
McCrindle's Director of Advisory, Ashley Fell, explained that nicknames are increasingly being used as first names.
These findings showed a broader trend of parents seeking out unique identities for their children.
So, what names are topping the charts?
Oliver continues its reign as the most popular name for boys for the past 12 years.
Noah, Theodore, and Henry have remained as some of the top name choices for boys.
For girls, Charlotte has reclaimed the top spot, with Amelia and Isla close behind.
Interestingly, Charlotte has been the preferred name for girls born in Generation Alpha.
Newcomers to the girls' top ten names included Sophie and Grace.
Other names, such as Arthur, Arlo, and Luna, also became top picks.
Here are the top 10 baby names this year according to McCrindle. Source: news.com.au
Middle names also saw a surge in popularity.
NSW released the top ten middle names for babies born in the last year.
This list revealed that when it comes to middle names, parents have been favouring names like James, Rose, and Grace.
As we usher in Generation Beta, McCrindle has its eye on names like Millie, Maeve, Beau, and Theo, as they could rise in popularity among the newest generation of parents.
Whether you're embracing the new trends or sticking to the classics, the names we choose for our children are a reflection of the times.
You may read the full list here.
.png){kind=icon}
