Leslie Massey
Australia's most popular baby names are released annually, with the country's states and territories publishing the names of every child born each year. In 2024, the top baby names were Isla and Oliver. The previous year, Charlotte and Oliver were the most popular names for baby girls and boys, respectively. Gender-neutral names like Charlie, Riley, and Jordan are also on the rise, reflecting a cultural shift among millennial parents breaking down traditional gender norms in the naming process. Multiculturalism is also influencing name choices, with diverse names like Xavier, Ethan, Gabriel, Matilda, and Zara gaining popularity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular boy's name | Oliver |
| Most popular girl's name | Charlotte, Isla |
| Popular boy's names | Theodore, Xavier, Ethan, Gabriel, Billy |
| Popular girl's names | Olivia, Amelia, Mia, Ava, Matilda, Harper, Lily, Hazel, Ella, Grace, Willow |
| Gender-neutral names | Charlie, Riley, Jordan, Casey, Jamie, Taylor |
| Boy/girl name variations | Harry and Harriet, Billy and Billie, Olive and Olivia, Remy and Remi |
| Popular names in the 70s and 80s | Kylie, Belinda, Bronwyn, Cath, Darryl/Darren, Glen |
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What You'll Learn
Most popular boys' names
Oliver has been the most popular boy's name in Australia for 11 years, only missing out on first place four times during Gen Alpha. The name has also been popular in the US and the UK, although it is often given to girls in the US. In Australia, it is followed closely by Noah, Henry, and Leo. Other popular names include Luca, Hudson, Theodore, Jack, and Charlie.
Some names that are unique to Australia include Lachlan, Darcy, and Angus. These names are often inspired by family tradition, cultural significance, or celebrities. For example, the name Archie has become more popular since Meghan and Harry announced it as their son's name in 2019. Similarly, names from the British Royal Family, such as Prince Henry ('Harry') and his son 'Archie', are also popular choices for Australian babies.
There is also a trend towards more gender-neutral names in Australia, such as Jordan, Riley, and Darcy. Names with slight variations for boys and girls, like Billy for a boy and Billie for a girl, are also common. Australian boys' names often end in 's', while girls' names tend to end with a softer 'ah' sound, like Olivia and Matilda.
While Oliver remains the top choice for boys in Australia, parents are increasingly turning to names traditionally associated with the opposite gender, such as Remy and Remi. Names to watch in 2025 include Miles, Tommy, and August for boys, indicating a possible shift in popular naming trends.
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Most popular girls' names
Choosing a baby name can be an exciting prospect for parents. In Australia, the most popular girl names in 2024 included Isla, Amelia, Olivia, Mia, Ava, and Matilda. Charlotte topped the list in 2024, with 1609 girls given the name, followed by Isla in second place and Amelia in third. Other popular names in 2024 included Harper, Grace, Evelyn, and Isabella.
While some names remain popular over the years, like Charlotte, others are influenced by trends. In 2024, 30% of Gen Alpha parents named their children after family members, while 21% were influenced by baby name websites and 10% by social media. Some parents also looked to names traditionally associated with the opposite gender, like Billie, or whimsical names inspired by Disney and classic tales.
Isla rose to the top spot in 2024, knocking Charlotte down to third place. In 2025, names to watch out for include Cleo, Nina, and Ada. Some older, more traditional names are also making a comeback, such as Dorothy (Dot or Dottie), Eleanor (Ellie), and Gertrude (Trudy).
Parents in Australia have a variety of influences when choosing their children's names, from family traditions to cultural significance, and even their favourite celebrities. The most popular girl names in Australia reflect a mix of timeless classics and trendy, unique choices.
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Gender-neutral names
One notable trend is the rise of boy/girl name variations like Oliver and Olivia, Harry and Harriet, and Billy and Billie. Additionally, names with multicultural influences beyond the English language are also gaining traction, with parents embracing diverse cultural heritage. For example, names like Xavier, Ethan, Gabriel, Matilda, and Zara are becoming more common.
Some popular gender-neutral names in Australia include:
- Charlie: This cute nickname, meaning "free man," can be short for Charlotte or Charles but is also commonly given as a proper name.
- Riley: With several origins, including "wood clearing" from Old English, "valiant," and an adaptation of the Irish surname Reilly, Riley is a solid choice for both boys and girls.
- Jamie: Originally a pet form of the name James, which is also gaining popularity as a unisex name, Jamie comes from the Hebrew word for "supplanter."
- Taylor: Derived from the Old English word "tailor," meaning "one who makes clothes," Taylor has been a beloved gender-neutral name for decades, with famous bearers like Taylor Swift and Taylor Lautner.
- Ashley: Meaning "dweller by the ash tree meadow," Ashley has English roots and has been popular for both boys and girls, with notable associations like Aussie tennis star Ash Barty.
- Hayden: With Greek roots meaning "valley with hay," Hayden has become one of Australia's most popular gender-neutral names, popularized by celebrities like Hayden Christensen and Hayden Panettiere.
These names offer a range of options for parents seeking gender-neutral choices, reflecting the cultural diversity and shifting norms in Australia.
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Multicultural names
Australia's multicultural society is reflected in the names chosen for newborns, with at least 89 names in the top 200 boys' and girls' names having origins beyond the English language.
Parents are embracing diverse cultural influences with names like Xavier, Ethan, Gabriel, Matilda, and Zara. The name Matilda, for example, is said to be inspired by the classic Australian song "Waltzing Matilda," which is about an itinerant man wandering the land.
Other multicultural names that have been popular in Australia include Kylie, which was popular in the 1970s and 1980s, and Kirrily, which is derived from Australian Aboriginal/First Nations languages or Maori. Names like Rebecca (often shortened to Becky or Reba) and Adelaide have also been popular in Australia, although some find it strange to name a child after a city.
Additionally, gender-neutral names and boy/girl name variations are becoming increasingly popular in Australia. Names such as Charlie, Riley, Jordan, Casey, Jamie, and Taylor have been climbing the ranks in recent years. Boy/girl name variations include Oliver and Olivia, Harry and Harriet, and Billy and Billie.
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Names of places
When it comes to naming their children, Australians often draw inspiration from the names of Australian cities and towns. For instance, the name Adelaide is quite popular, despite also being the name of an Australian city. Similarly, the names Victoria and Sydney are also popular choices for girls.
Some other popular Australian place names include:
- Lachlan, a popular boy's name, is also a river in New South Wales.
- Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, is a unique name for either gender.
- Kirrily, a girl's name, is similar to the name of the small town of Kirrilly in New South Wales.
- Matilda, a popular girl's name, is also the name of an Australian folk song, 'Waltzing Matilda', about an itinerant man who wanders the land and sets up camp by a billabong.
- Angus, a boy's name, is also the name of a town in Victoria.
- Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is a unique name for either gender.
- Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, is a distinctive name for boys or girls.
While some Australian place names are popular choices for baby names, others may be considered too strongly associated with a particular location, such as the name Adelaide. Ultimately, the choice of a baby name in Australia, as in other countries, is influenced by a variety of factors, including family traditions, nature and botanical influences, and pop culture references.
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Frequently asked questions
The most popular names for boys in Australia include Oliver, Noah, Henry, Luca, Hudson, Theodore, Jack, and Lachlan.
The most popular names for girls in Australia include Isla, Charlotte, Amelia, Olivia, Mia, Ava, Matilda, and Harper.
Yes, some unique names that are popular in Australia include Frankie, Billie, Mackenzie, Lachlan, Darcy, and Angus.
John and James are popular middle names for boys, while Anne and Jane are popular middle names for girls in NSW, Australia.
Kylie, Kirrily, Belinda, Bronwyn, and Darryl/Darren were popular names in Australia in the past but are not as common nowadays.
