Choosing a baby name is one of the most personal and meaningful decisions new parents face, but it’s also one that reflects broader cultural trends. And this year, Australia’s baby name trends have taken a fascinating turn. Let’s dive into the most popular names of 2025 and explore the stories behind them—some of which might just surprise you.
In Darwin, Abbey and Tom Kiem spent the first two weeks of their daughter’s life debating the perfect name. They wanted something timeless yet strong, feminine yet versatile—a name that could suit a future CEO or an artist. After tossing around options like Nora, Emmie, and Emily, they finally settled on Amelia. Little did they know, they had unknowingly chosen the Northern Territory’s most popular baby girl name of 2025, a favorite not just locally but across the country. But here’s where it gets controversial: Are parents sacrificing individuality for trendiness?
Every year, Australian states and territories compile data from their Births, Deaths, and Marriages registries to reveal the top baby names. In 2025, Charlotte, Isla, and Amelia reclaimed their spots as favorites for girls, while Oliver and Noah dominated the boys’ lists nationwide. But what’s driving these choices? Sydney-based demographer Mark McCrindle explains that today’s parents are avoiding names popular with their own generation, instead reaching back to their great-grandparents’ era for names that blend uniqueness with tradition. Think Greyson, Theodore, and Grace—names making a strong comeback after decades of obscurity.
And this is the part most people miss: The royal family remains the biggest influence on baby names, even more than celebrities. Their preference for traditional names aligns perfectly with what Australian parents are seeking. But as Generation Z emerges as a new cohort of parents, there’s a growing trend of outsourcing name selection to consultants—or even artificial intelligence. Is this the future of naming, or a step too far?
Here’s a breakdown of the top names across Australia’s states and territories:
ACT
Evelyn and Oliver topped the charts, with Evelyn making its sixth appearance in the top 10 since 2024. Oliver, a crowd favorite, has been a staple since 2008. Fun fact: Olivia has appeared in every top 10 list since 1998—except for 2016. Why the dip?
NSW
Noah and Charlotte reigned supreme, with Noah leading by nearly 100 births over Oliver. Among girls, Charlotte and Amelia were the clear favorites. But is this dominance sustainable, or will new names rise to challenge them?
NT
Amelia, meaning ‘hardworking,’ topped the girls’ list, while Noah led the boys’. Long-time favorites Archie and Oliver remained strong, with Muhammad and Malakai also making appearances. Are these names reflecting cultural diversity, or just following national trends?
QLD
Queensland is the only jurisdiction yet to release its 2025 data. Will it follow the national pattern, or chart its own course?
SA
In South Australia, Charlotte narrowly edged out Isla for the top spot among girls, while Oliver led the boys’ names. But with only two births separating the top two girls’ names, is this a sign of increasing diversity in choices?
TAS
Noah and Charlotte were the top picks, with George making a unique appearance in the boys’ list—a name not seen in any other jurisdiction’s top 10. Why is Tasmania bucking the trend here?
VIC
Noah and Charlotte dominated, with Ava making a unique appearance in the girls’ top 10—a name absent from other states’ lists. Is Victoria leading the charge in unique naming, or just an outlier?
WA
Isla and Noah took the top spots, with Sofia standing out as a name not seen in other jurisdictions’ top 10. Are Western Australian parents simply more adventurous?
McCrindle notes that names like Michael, Craig, and Karen—once dominant—have all but disappeared from the top 100. Meanwhile, ‘older’ names like Penelope and Ava are thriving. But as we look to the past for inspiration, are we losing something uniquely modern?
Abbey, Amelia’s mum, isn’t bothered by the popularity of her daughter’s name. ‘Amelia is such a beautiful name,’ she says. ‘Her personality will make her unique.’ But what do you think? Is sharing a name with many others a blessing or a drawback? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts on this ever-evolving trend!
