James and Grace were the most popular names given to babies in Northern Ireland for births registered in 2024, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) reported on Wednesday, April 16.
Grace had returned to the top spot as the most popular girls' name after five years at number one from 2018 to 2022, and has appeared in the top three most popular names for 19 consecutive years.
James, meanwhile, has returned to number one after a six-year stretch at the top spot between 2015 and 2020, then regaining it in 2022.
NISRA noted on Wednesday that the birth registrations in Northern Ireland in 2024 included 948 baby names that had not been used before.
"Blockbuster movies, popular television series, current celebrities, and memorable places continue to appear to be influencing factors for some parents," NISRA added.
Popular Baby Names in Northern Ireland 2024, published today, shows James and Grace as the most popular choice.https://t.co/Cu6QQHWvz4 pic.twitter.com/fcBNpZ3gtE
— NISRA (@NISRA) April 16, 2025
Top 10 Baby Names for Boys in Northern Ireland, 2024
For boys’ names, Cillian was a close second to James. This name has increased in popularity since entering the top ten most popular names in 2020. Noah returned to third place, at which it has placed five times since 2015, after reaching first place in 2023.
Jude entered the boys’ top ten in 2024 for the first time in the series which dates back to 1997. Within the boys’ top 100, the highest climbers in popularity between 2023 and 2024 were Austin, Rossa, Callum, and Joseph.
Some of the less common names given to baby boys in 2024 were Royce, Bentley, and Phoenix.
- James - 143
- Cillian - 142
- Noah -139
- Jack - 130
- Theo - 125
- Jude - 124
- Luca - 109
- Charlie - 106
- Oisin - 105
- Oliver - 104
Top 10 Baby Names for Girls in Northern Ireland, 2024
For baby girls, Olivia came in second to Grace, having re-entered the top three for the first time since 2018. Fiadh returned to third place, down from second place in 2023 and has held a top five position since 2020.
Within the girls’ top 100, the highest climbers in popularity between 2023 and 2024 were Maya, Maria, Eliza, and Ayla.
As with previous years, there were a greater variety of girls’ names (2,289) than boys’ names (1,826) registered in 2024.
Some of the less common names given to baby girls in 2024 were Dolly, Primrose, and Melody.
- Grace - 125
- Olivia - 109
- Fiadh - 104
- Aoife - 97
- Emily - 96
- Lily - 95
- Charlotte - 95
- Isla - 91
- Sophia - 91
- Freya - 90
NISRA notes that Lily and Charlotte took joint sixth place, and Isla and Sophia took joint eighth place.
Most Popular Names for Boys by Local Government District, 2024
- Antrim & Newtownabbey - Archie / Jude (12)
- Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon - James (23)
- Belfast - Cillian (28)
- Causeway Coast & Glens - Noah / Oisin (15)
- Derry City & Strabane - Cillian (18)
- Fermanagh & Omagh - James (13)
- Lisburn & Castlereagh - Jack / Jude (18)
- Mid & East Antrim - Noah (14)
- Mid Ulster - Daithi (19)
- Newry, Mourne & Down - Cillian (25)
- Ards & North Down - Harry (14)
Most Popular Names for Girls by Local Government District, 2024
- Antrim & Newtownabbey - Aoife / Charlotte / Sophia / Sophie (8)
- Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon - Lily (20)
- Belfast - Olivia (23)
- Causeway Coast & Glens - Charlotte / Ella / Grace (11)
- Derry City & Strabane - Freya (15)
- Fermanagh & Omagh - Grace (13)
- Lisburn & Castlereagh - Emily (17)
- Mid & East Antrim - Bonnie (10)
- Mid Ulster - Grace (16)
- Newry, Mourne & Down - Aoife (20)
- Ards & North Down - Isla (15)
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