ROTTERDAM, 6 January 2025 – Emma and Noah have been revealed as the most popular baby names in the Netherlands for 2024, according to a list published by the Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB). Gender-neutral names like Charlie are also gaining popularity.
Emma and Noah top baby name charts in 2024
The Sociale Verzekeringsbank (SVB) has unveiled its annual list of the most popular baby names in the Netherlands. For the sixth consecutive year, Noah remains the most popular name for boys, given to 922 newborns in 2024. Emma, a name that ranked fourth in 2023, climbed to first place among girls, with 657 babies receiving the name.
In total, 165,594 babies were born in the Netherlands in 2024 up to November, comprising 84,990 boys and 80,604 girls. Gender-neutral names such as Charlie also stood out, with an equal number of boys and girls (156 each) receiving the name.
Names with regional and urban variations
While Noah and Emma dominate the national rankings, the preference for names shows notable variation across provinces and cities. In South Holland (Zuid-Holland), Noah and Olivia were the most frequently given names, reflecting broader national trends. However, in Rotterdam, names like Mohammed and Inaya are among the most popular, indicating the city's diverse population. For girls, names ending in “-a,” such as Maya, Aya, and Sofia, remain particularly popular in Rotterdam and other major cities.
Top 10 baby names of 2024
Boys
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Girls
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Insights from name expert
Gerrit Bloothooft, a naming researcher at Utrecht University, noted that names in urban areas reflect the social composition of cities. In Rotterdam, Mohammed remains a top choice for boys, often appearing in different spellings such as Mohamed, Muhammed, and Muhammad. For girls, names like Inaya and Noor highlight the cultural influences in urban naming trends.
How the SVB compiles the list
The SVB, responsible for administering child benefits (kinderbijslag), publishes the annual baby name list based on names provided during birth registration. To protect privacy, only names given at least 10 times are included in the overview.
