NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The New York City Health Department on Thursday announced Emma and Liam were the most popular baby names of 2020.
Data released this week showed 442 Emmas and 682 Liams were born between January and December 2020.
"2020 was a challenging year, but these babies were bright spots,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi. “We are thrilled to celebrate our newest New Yorkers and welcome them to the world.”
According to health officials, Emma and Liam were also the most popular baby names in 2019 and 2018, showing that while the pandemic changed many things – it did not affect naming trends.
In fact, nine of the top 10 girls’ names from 2019 remained the same throughout 2020. The only name that dropped off the list was Charlotte.
Meanwhile, eight of the boys’ names from 2019 also stayed the same. Michael and Matthew were dropped while Joseph and Alexander were added.
The most popular names in 2020 were:
Girls:
1. Emma
2. Sophia
3. Mia
4. Olivia
5. Isabella
6. Ava
7. Leah
8. Sarah
9. Chloe
10. Amelia
Boys:
1. Liam
2. Noah
3. Jacob
4. Ethan
5. Lucas
6. Joseph
7. David
8. Aiden
9. Alexander
10. Daniel
New York City health officials said over 100,000 babies were born in 2020, marking a 9.4% decrease from 2019.
In total 38,951 babies were born in Manhattan; 24,129 in Brooklyn; 19,877 in Queens; 11,516 in the Bronx; and 5,549 on Staten Island.
A trend that increased during 2020, according to health officials, was parents naming their children after scientific icons. Approximately 181 babies were named Anthony, “perhaps in honor of Dr. [Anthony] Fauci,” and 36 babies were named Albert, like Albert Einstein.
Meanwhile, there was also a trend of “seeking peace during a difficult year.”
“2020 was a year filled with adversity, so it’s no wonder many parents may have sought a more peaceful state of being for their babies,” the health department said.
Some of the top “peace” inspired named included Grace, Serenity, Zion, Harmony, Hope, Joy, Dream, Heaven, Love, Sincere and Eden.
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