Noah and Emma reign supreme as the most popular baby names at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) hospitals.
With over 6,200 births recorded in 2024 so far, these names continue to capture the hearts of new parents in the region.
Noah, the standout choice for boys, has been given to 53 newborns at LVHN hospitals this year, outpacing Liam, the second-most popular name, with 44. Meanwhile, Emma leads the list for girls, with 31 parents selecting it for their baby daughters. Emma narrowly edges out Isabella, the 2023 favorite, which was chosen 27 times in 2024, and Olivia, which rounds out the top three with 26.
Consistency in Favorites
The enduring appeal of Noah and Emma mirrors national trends. According to BabyCenter.com, Noah retains its position as the most popular boy’s name in the United States, with Liam also holding steady in second place. Emma ranks third nationally among girl names, behind Olivia and Amelia.
Other perennial favorites among boys at LVHN include Levi, Lucas, and James. For girls, Sophia and Charlotte continue to maintain their popularity just behind Emma, Isabella, and Olivia.
Unique and Trendy Choices
In addition to these traditional favorites, several unique and modern names have made their mark. Among girls, Everleigh (or Everly) is particularly notable, with 12 newborns given the name this year. Of these, six parents opted for the spelling "Everleigh." The popularity of this name may be influenced by YouTube star Everleigh Rose Smith-Soutas, a young fashionista and social media influencer.
Greek mythology has also inspired some creative choices for boys, with names like Achilles, Atlas, and Zeus appearing on the list. Five boys were named Legend, a nod to their parents’ aspirations for greatness. One baby was named Ledger, possibly as a tribute to the late actor Heath Ledger, whose portrayal of the Joker in "The Dark Knight" earned him posthumous acclaim.
Pop Culture and Rare Names
The influence of pop culture is evident in other rare names as well. A boy named Beckham might draw inspiration from the iconic soccer star David Beckham, while Harper—given to seven girls this year—continues to maintain its popularity. Harper’s rise to fame began in 2016, when it entered the national Top 10 list of girls’ names, and it was particularly popular at LVHN in 2023, possibly linked to Phillies slugger Bryce Harper’s success.
Some of the more unique names recorded this year include Sol, Soul, Serenitymoon, Glory, and True.en.