These were the most popular names for boys and girls in the US.

(Trends Wide) — The US Social Security Administration released the 20 most popular baby names for last year, and the results are… less than original.

The results are nearly identical to the 2021 ranking, with just a fresh new name. “Olivia”, “Emma” and “Charlotte” remain the top three female names, and “Liam”, “Noah” and “Oliver” maintained their positions among the top male names.

There were no new additions to the top 10 male names, although some of them moved places in the ranking. And the top 10 female names saw just one new entry: Luna (Coincidentally, she’s also the most popular name for female dogs, according to the American Kennel Club). She edged out Harper, who was ranked 10th last year.

But that lack of change is pretty consistent with the historical data for baby names. Just 10 years ago, Sophia, Emma, ​​Isabella, Olivia, and Ava were the top five names for girls, and all five remain in this year’s ranking, just in a different order.

There’s usually one name that’s held the top spot for about a decade, Social Security data shows: Jennifer was the top name for girls from 1970 until Jessica surpassed it in 1985. Emily has reigned supreme among girls’ names since 1996 to 2007. And since 2019, it seems, we are in the age of Olivia, and we may be for years to come.

Historically, there’s even less variation among male names: Michael was the top name for boys almost every year from 1954 to 1998 (David stole the No. 1 spot only once during that time, in 1960).

When it comes to baby names these days, baby name expert Laura Wattenberg told NPR in 2021 that popularity is a “dominant factor”: “Popular just means wanted,” she said. “No child’s life was ruined by having a popular name.” So fear not, Olivias and Liams of the world: you may meet others just like you, but you’re still unique.

(Trends Wide) — The US Social Security Administration released the 20 most popular baby names for last year, and the results are… less than original.

The results are nearly identical to the 2021 ranking, with just a fresh new name. “Olivia”, “Emma” and “Charlotte” remain the top three female names, and “Liam”, “Noah” and “Oliver” maintained their positions among the top male names.

There were no new additions to the top 10 male names, although some of them moved places in the ranking. And the top 10 female names saw just one new entry: Luna (Coincidentally, she’s also the most popular name for female dogs, according to the American Kennel Club). She edged out Harper, who was ranked 10th last year.

But that lack of change is pretty consistent with the historical data for baby names. Just 10 years ago, Sophia, Emma, ​​Isabella, Olivia, and Ava were the top five names for girls, and all five remain in this year’s ranking, just in a different order.

There’s usually one name that’s held the top spot for about a decade, Social Security data shows: Jennifer was the top name for girls from 1970 until Jessica surpassed it in 1985. Emily has reigned supreme among girls’ names since 1996 to 2007. And since 2019, it seems, we are in the age of Olivia, and we may be for years to come.

Historically, there’s even less variation among male names: Michael was the top name for boys almost every year from 1954 to 1998 (David stole the No. 1 spot only once during that time, in 1960).

When it comes to baby names these days, baby name expert Laura Wattenberg told NPR in 2021 that popularity is a “dominant factor”: “Popular just means wanted,” she said. “No child’s life was ruined by having a popular name.” So fear not, Olivias and Liams of the world: you may meet others just like you, but you’re still unique.