From Noah to Noor: discover which baby names were most popular in 2025.

Choosing a name for your baby is a special moment. You want a name that sounds beautiful, suits you, and perhaps also moves with the times. Do you choose a boy's name or a girl's name, or are you unsure about a name that could work for both?

Name trends change every year: some names soar in popularity, while others slowly disappear. In this blog, you'll discover the most popular boy and girl names of 2025, how they differ from the past, and which trends are currently prevalent.

Most popular names in 2025

In 2025, two names stand out as the most popular baby names. Data from the SVB (Social Insurance Bank) shows that the names Noah and Noor are the most popular names of 2025. Noah is the most popular boy's name of 2025 and was given 883 times, and Noor is the most popular girl's name, chosen 705 times. The name Noah has been number one for the 7th consecutive time. This is because it is a short, soft name. Besides being short and soft names, they are also very trendy.

What is the difference between names now and in the past?

Aside from Noah and Noor, other names are also very well-known. For example, the name Liam rose from 4th to 2nd place, and James from 9th to 6th place. Some names also became less common, such as Emma. In 2024, Emma was the most popular girl's name, and in 2025, the name is no longer on the list. The top 10 boy and girl names have certainly changed over time. In the past, names were also a "trend"; popular names were often used. This is the difference between the most popular baby names in 2025 and 1990. On the left, you see those from 2025, and on the right, those from 1990.

Parents often choose a name with a soft sound. In 2025, the names Liam, Luca, Olivia, and Nora were also very frequently chosen. This is again due to their sounds and their modern appeal. Globally, there are also names that are most popular. Two of these names are Maria and Mohammed.

Do you have a few names on your list and want to know how popular they are? Click on this link: https://nvb.meertens.knaw.nl/. Names are trend-sensitive; they can be very popular and then suddenly disappear. What's also interesting to see is that some names make a comeback. These names were well-known in the past and are being used again years later.

Risers and fallers of baby names in 2025

Interesting to see: some names made a significant leap.

Fast risers:

• Liam (from 4th to 2nd place)
• James (from 9th to 6th place)

Notable fallers:

• Emma (from number 1 in 2024 to outside the top position)

This shows how quickly trends can change.

Fun fact

In the 80s and 90s, many names were adopted from celebrities. This is due to television. People liked names from famous series, music, and Hollywood stars. Names frequently given then include Michael, Kimberly, or Kevin.

Conclusion

You can see that many timeless names are chosen in 2025. The names are usually modern and short. For many parents, meaning also plays a role, and they consider this when choosing a name. The names Noah and Noor are easy to pronounce and have a gentle sound. Some names are popular for years, while others are not and rise sharply in popularity. In the coming years, the number one most popular names can certainly change due to trends, but they can, of course, also remain the same.