Australia’s top baby names for 2020 (and those that didn’t make the cut)

According to the recent Baby Names Australia Report, the top 10 most popular names have changed very little over the past year for both boys and girls – but there has definitely been more significant action with names making (and leaving) the top 100 list.

Read on for the latest trends, and see the top 20 names at the bottom of the article.

Little change for Number 1

The most popular girls’ names list is still lead by Charlotte, which has been number one for eight years (ever since the arrival of Princess Charlotte). Meanwhile, Amelia is now at number two, pushing Olivia down the third place. Harper is no longer in the top 10, having been replaced by Matilda.

The list of boys’ names is similar, with Oliver still at the top for the eighth year in a row. The only change is that Elijah is now in the top 10, pushing James down to 15.

New arrivals in top 100

The more significant change is when you look at the names that are now in the top 100, as this year sees 10 new girl entries in the top 100. The highest ranked of these are Remi (now at number 73), Harlow (now at 77), and Hallie (now number 83). Interestingly, other new arrivals to the top 100 are more classic by nature, with the names Maeve, Adeline, Molly, Maggie, Delilah, Eliza and Isabel coming back into favour.

There are only five new boys names in the top 100 list in 2021. The most popular of these is Leonardo, which has made it to the rank of 80. River has made it to number 90, followed closely by Luka, Lewis and Lennox, all of which made impressive jumps.

And say goodbye to…

Naturally, the arrival of new names in the top 100 means the departure of others. Out of the 10 girls’ names to have been dropped from the list, Heidi fell the furthest, leaving the rank of 78; Madeline dropped from number 80, and Reilly from 81. The others to leave the top 100 are Alexis, Victoria, Madison, Lily, Chelsea, Indiana and Thea.

As for the boys, the name to make the biggest drop is Tyler, which fell from the rank of 80, followed by Jake, leaving its position at 87. Following close behind are the names Christian, Nate, Aaron and Dylan.

Looking over the decade: the big movers

Taking a look at changes over the past 10 years also gives a glimpse into the minds of parents in the last decade. Girls’ names to have made the biggest rise include Willow, which has jumped 65 places to be at number 9, and also Hazel, which rose 63 places to number 25. Florence, Aria and Elsie have also made a big leap: now ranked 39, 28 and 38 respectively, none of these names were in the top 100 at all back in 2010.

Sarah made the biggest drop, falling 69 spaces to number 91. Madison is close behind having dropped 57 spots to 82.

For boys, the most significant rise in the last 10 years was Leo, jumping 86 spots to number five, followed by Theodore, up 83 spots to number 13, and Hudson, up 79 spots to 14. These names – along with Archer, Arlo and Harvey – not only made impressive leaps, but also were nowhere near the top 100 list back in 2010.

Dylan and Matthew have both dropped in popularity since 2010, with Dylan falling 97 spots and Matthew down by 52 places.