What’s in a name? Well, if you’re a Liam or an Olivia, and you’re the most popular baby names in North Carolina in 2022, your name is going to be widely used.
Names.org is predicting the most popular baby names in North Carolina for this year, and the trends all seem to be pointing to a lot of Kindergartners in the next 4-7 years having the same name.
The top predicted boys name for 2022 is Liam, just as it has been the last three years. And before that, it was a longer variation of that name – William – since at least 2006. They predict there will be 749 Liams in North Carolina this year, compared to 681
On the girls side, Olivia is projected to narrowly take the top spot, in a virtual tie with Ava. Those two names, along with Emma, have been battling near the top of the list in North Carolina for several years.
Of note for North Carolina, a few names are more unique here than they are nationally, including Jackson, Levi and Mason for boys, and Harper for girls. All the other names on the list are in the national Top 10 as well.
Here’s a look at the rest of the top projected baby names in North Carolina for 2022:
1. Liam
Liam Hemsworth certainly could be the catalyst for the most popular boy name. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 1
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 681
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 749
2. Noah
Biblical names are always popular, so it figures that the arc guy would still get love. (Photo by Michel Porro/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 2
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 612
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 598
3. James
James Franco is just one of the MANY James’ to help contribute to this list. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for IFP)
- 2020 Rank: 4
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 489
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 499
4. William
Royal names always do well too, so Prince William surely contributes to this. (Photo by David Rowland – Pool/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 3
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 524
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 497
5. Oliver
Maybe everyone is just a big fan of Oliver Twist? (Photo by Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 6
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 437
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 458
6. Elijah
Who doesn’t love Elijah Wood? (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 5
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 475
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 452
7. Henry
Prince Harry also on the royal lineage naming convention. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 7
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 388
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 399
8. Jackson
Jackson Rathbone from the Twilight movies is probably the perfect target age for helping to name some babies right now. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 8
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 385
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 393
9. Levi
If it’s good enough for Matthew McConaughey to name his kid, it’s good enough for us. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 10
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 364
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 372
10. Mason
Child star Mason Cook (with Parker Bates) is one of the more famous young Mason’s coming to prominence. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Brooks Brothers)
- 2020 Rank: 9
- Number of boys born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 378
- Projected number of boys born in NC with the name in 2022: 361
1. Olivia
Olivia Wilde is one of the many famous Olivia’s to help lead this naming boom. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Veuve Clicquot)
- 2020 Rank: 1
- Number of girls born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 525
- Projected number of girls born in NC with the name in 2022: 510
2. Ava
Director Ava DuVernay has certainly made a name for herself and her name. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences )
- 2020 Rank: 2
- Number of girls born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 507
- Projected number of girls born in NC with the name in 2022: 510
3. Amelia
Amelia Earhart is the queen of this name, so she gets the photo placement here. (Photo by Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 5
- Number of girls born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 420
- Projected number of girls born in NC with the name in 2022: 481
4. Emma
Emma Watson is one of the many famous Emma’s helping drive this name usage up. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 3
- Number of girls born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 482
- Projected number of girls born in NC with the name in 2022: 461
5. Charlotte
Any opportunity to show off sweet Princess Charlotte is a good day. (Photo by Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 4
- Number of girls born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 421
- Projected number of girls born in NC with the name in 2022: 417
6. Sophia
We’ll pretend Sofia Vergara spells her name with a PH just for phun here. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Turner)
- 2020 Rank: 6
- Number of girls born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 363
- Projected number of girls born in NC with the name in 2022: 359
7. Harper
Legendary author Harper Lee is our favorite of the Harpers. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 7
- Number of girls born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 361
- Projected number of girls born in NC with the name in 2022: 348
9. Evelyn
Basketball Wives star Evelyn Lozada is among the many Evelyn’s coming to prominence. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images for Motorola Xoom)
- 2020 Rank: 9
- Number of girls born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 312
- Projected number of girls born in NC with the name in 2022: 325
10. Mia
Mia Hamm helped set off a long-running Mia baby boom. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
- 2020 Rank: 10
- Number of girls born in North Carolina with the name in 2020: 287
- Projected number of girls born in NC with the name in 2022: 291
