It’s no secret that naming a baby is a big task. Whether your tastes are more traditional, or you prefer the uncommon names with a bit of edge to them, it’s a decision that your baby will wear for the rest of their lives. No pressure! Looking for a little inspiration (or names to steer clear of depending on your tastes), then check out Australia’s top baby names for 2023.
Everyone loves to talk baby names! And it’s always fun to find others with similar tastes to us who have chosen the same name for their child. Thanks to the world of social media and the internet, the baby naming books have been thrown out the window, with apps and the opinion of family, friends, and even strangers online taking front seat. So, what are the new trends coming through? It appears that shorter names are on the rise, with a lot more variety coming through in the choice of names for baby girls. Turns out, people want to be different!
Generation Alpha
Welcome to the latest generation: Generation Alpha, a name given as they are being born entirely in the 21st Century. Starting in 2010, they’re unsurprisingly the most digital and visual of all generations. This generation will continue until 2024.
Top girls’ baby names
Charlotte has regained the top spot sending Isla all the way to third place after Amelia.
Olivia continues her streak in the top ten, having been one of only three names (Charlotte, Olivia and Mia) to have featured in the top 10 since 2010.
Margot, Thea, Maeve, Eliana, Rosie, Remi, Millie and Hazel are all names that have made a significant jump in the ranks this year.
Top boys’ baby names
Top of the boys’ list, Oliver has been consistently popular for the past decade, now enjoying 10 years at the top of the list. Oliver is also the only name to be given to over 2,000 babies in 2022.
Theodore made the top ten for the first time, while Lucas and Thomas end their streak in in top ten after more than a decade.
Reuben, Remy, Theo, Tommy, Roman, Louie, Alfie, Leon, Hamish and Darcy are all names that have made a signifcant jump in the ranks this year.
Trends in names
If we take a look at the top 100 names list for the past decade, there are a number of interesting trends taking place:
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Classic names are still popular for baby boys and girls.
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Shorter names are more common for boys.
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Unique spelling and variations are trending, as parents look for distinctive ways to make traditional names stand out.
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Gender-neutral names are becoming increasingly popular.
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Gen Alpha names are still inspired by nature.
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Pop culture influences baby names: Archie, Harvey, Margot, Ariana, Bella and Pippa.
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Names with ‘-ie’ and ‘-y’ sounds are in, especially for girls: Daisy, Ellie, Millie, Rosie and Frankie.
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Vintage names are making a comeback: Vincent, Lennox, Connor, Nora, Margot and Adeline.
Trends in NSW
Luca and Charlie join NSW’s top ten for the first time.
Sienna and Willow also make their debut on the girls’ top ten list.
Want to find about more about popular names and trends in different states? 2023 Australian Baby Names report is here.
