THE most popular baby names in Scotland in 2024have been revealed.
Noah and Olivia returned to the top of Scotland’s baby name charts in 2024, taking the top spots from the previous year’s favourites, Luca and Isla.
Noah had last been the most popular boys’ name in 2022, while Olivia returns to the number one spot for the seventh time, having stayed in the top three since 2008.
2024 marks 50 years since current records began in 1974, so NRS has also released Scotland’s top names across the past five decades.
David is the most popular boys’ name over the past half century, with more than 40,000 babies given the name.
Meanwhile, Emma tops the charts for girls, with more than 24,000 babies given the name over the last 50 years.
The body said the figures show how names have changed over the years.
Andrew, the name of Scotland’s patron saint, was the country’s third most popular name across the last 50 years, but did not make it into the top 100 names in 2024.
NRS chief executive Alison Byrne said: “I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all the new babies on behalf of NRS.
“Noah and Olivia are the comeback kids, returning to the top of the charts.
“We had a record number of different boys’ names used in registrations in 2024.
“Some of those climbing quickly are Reggie, Myles and Callan for boys; while Eliza, Romy and Nora jumped up the rankings for girls.
“Muhammad also enters the top 10 for the first time, rising nine places to second in the boys’ list.
“It’s fascinating to look at the data for the past five decades and see the growing range of names in use.
“It is much easier now for a name to rise in the charts compared with previous generations.
“In 1974, more than 1,700 baby boys were called David, but 50 years on, Noah topped the chart with only 366.”
The more unusual boys’ names in 2024 include: Delight, Nox, Adonis and Cash.
Last year’s girls’ names, meanwhile, include: Peach, Ceilidh, Indy and Dove.
Top 10 baby names for girls in Scotland in 2024:
- Olivia
- Isla
- Freya
- Lily
- Millie
- Sophie
- Amelia
- Emily
- Ella
- Charlotte
Top 10 baby names for boys in Scotland in 2024:
- Noah
- Muhammad
- Rory
- Theo
- Leo
- Luca
- Jack
- Oliver
- Harris
- Archie
