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Latin Times

Lifestyle

Rocío Magnani

Hispanic Names 2023: Olivia and Mateo Were the Most Popular for Babies in the U.S. This Year

Olivia NewtonJohn Olivia Rodrigo Olivia Wilde Hispanic BabyCenter Joel

Latin names, such as Olivia and Mateo, topped the ranking of the most popular for babies. (Credit: Freepik)

Hispanic and Latino names gained significant popularity in the U.S. during 2023. Olivia was the favorite among all newborn girls, while Mateo was the fifth most popular for boys, according to a BabyCenter analysis of more than 300,000 babies born this year.

Among the top twenty most popular names for baby girls, eight hailed from Latin origins. Olivia claimed the top spot, followed by Amelia in third position, Isabella in seventh, Luna in ninth, Aria in 13th, Aurora in 14th, Sofía in 18th, and Camila in 19th.

In contrast, Latin names were less present among the top twenty names for boys. Mateo was followed by Lucas (No. 6), Leo (No. 8), and Luca (No. 10). There were also names traditionally popular among Latinos, such as Sebastian, which has Greek origins.

The presence of Latin names is no surprise as the demographic continues to grown in the country, already making up close to 20% of the population.

According to analysts at BabyCenter, the currently trending names may not only be connected to Latin roots but also associated with celebrities or popular characters featured in TV shows, series, or films.

For example, Ellie and Joel, the main characters of hit TV show The Last of Us, experienced a surge in popularity, with Ellie advancing three spots to No. 15, and Joel undergoing a significant rise of 35 spots, now at No. 185.

Latin roots are present in the names of newborns in 2023. (Credit: Freepik)

What happened with the names of the central characters of Succession, whose final season was released also in 2023? Logan, Roman, and Connor, all experienced a decline in popularity (from No. 32 to No. 37; No. 70 to No. 71; and No. 127 to No. 155, respectively).

Meanwhile, Kendall and Siobhan saw an increase in popularity (from No. 1,543 to No. 1,351 and No. 2,135 to No. 2,106, respectively).

BabyCenter keeps its list of the most popular names constantly updated in real-time. Meanwhile, the Social Security Administration annually releases a list of the most popular names based on actual births.

The updated list from the federal agency, showcasing the most popular Latin names for newborns in 2023, won't be available until 2024.

Latin Names: Olivia's Story and Meaning

Chances are you already know someone named Olivia. This Latin name might evoke memories of the cartoon character from the twenties featured in Popeye's The Sailor, but its popularity skyrocketed in 1985 with the release of the music video for "Soul Kiss," a song by Olivia Newton-John. Since then, it has not stopped growing.

Olivia, with its primary significance linked to the "olive tree," first gained popularity in the early 17th century, thanks to its usage in Shakespeare's romantic comedy, Twelfth Night. Currently, several celebrities bear the name Olivia, including Olivia Wilde, the actress renowned for her role in Tron, and Olivia Rodrigo, the actress from High School Musical.