The names chosen by NSW parents for their newborns reveal a cultural moment caught between nostalgia and individuality. Eight new names have entered the top 100 baby names list, showcasing the latest trends in the names being chosen for NSW's newest residents.
Breaking into the top 100 for the first time are boys' names Louie, Ibrahim, Myles, Matteo, Grayson, Maverick and Malakai, with Lainey making the list for the girls. This represents a broader pattern across Australia. Each Australian state and territory compiles data from their Births, Deaths and Marriages registries to reveal the most popular names parents picked for their babies and 2025's results show our love affair with certain classics is far from over.
At the summit of NSW's rankings, Charlotte claimed top spot, jumping up from 5th in 2023, while Noah nails it for the boys, beating previous favourite Oliver. These names signal a return to convention, yet the emergence of eight new entries suggests parents are simultaneously seeking distinction for their children.
These trends show the baby name landscape in NSW continues to be diverse, with parents embracing both modern and timeless choices. Registrar for NSW Birth, Deaths & Marriages Theresa Fairman said: "Parents are making creative choices when it comes to naming their children, and this top 100 proves evolution in preferences."
What often goes unmentioned is the dramatic pace of change in naming culture across the decades. From classic favourites to emerging trends, the names chosen by parents reflect the ever-changing NSW community and its growing families. When the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry began tracking names in 1952, the cultural preferences were fundamentally different. The girls' names that have seen the biggest rise in rank include Luna (rising 811 ranks), Maeve (308 ranks), Florence (206 ranks), Aria (191 ranks) and Hazel (185 ranks). The name Hazel is worth noting, as not only has it climbed 185 ranks to hold a spot within the top 40, but it currently sits in the top 10, at #6. Luna and Maeve are also worth noting as names that have rapidly increased, with Luna only entering the top 100 in 2017 and Maeve in 2020.
Nationally, Mr McCrindle said Oliver, which has been the number one boys' name in Australia for 12 years in a row, has kept the crown once again, while Noah was rapidly rising as a top contender. Yet even this stability masks generational shifts. When it comes to middle names, parents tend to prefer traditional choices over trendy ones.
The strategic calculus here involves several competing considerations. Parents wish to anchor their children with names of substance and heritage. Simultaneously, they seek to distinguish their sons and daughters in an increasingly crowded world. The fact that 65% of current or aspiring parents said they would be more likely to choose a unique name, than a popular/well known one, with younger people more likely to choose a unique name compared to their older counterparts (83% Gen Z, 71% Gen Y, 60% Gen X, 43% Baby Boomers) suggests this tension will intensify as Generation Beta comes of age.
For NSW families seeking guidance, the most popular baby names from 1952 to 2025 are available through the NSW Government's popular baby names portal. The data extends beyond mere curiosity; it serves as a record of how communities evolve, what values parents hold dear, and which cultural currents shape each generation's identity.