Liam and Olivia are the most popular baby names in the U.S. for 2024. Liam has been the top name for boys for eight years. Olivia has been the top name for girls for six years. Emma and Noah are the second most popular names. The list was shared around Mother’s Day.

Some names are becoming more popular, like Sofia for girls. Luna is not in the top 10 anymore. Parents like names that work in different cultures. More babies were born in 2024 than in 2023. Names from TV shows and social media are also popular.

Original news source: Liam and Olivia dominate — again — with top baby names for a sixth year in a row (AP News)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will take turns acting out baby names without speaking while the rest of the class guesses the name. Encourage them to use gestures and expressions.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Students will walk around the classroom and ask each other which baby name they like best from the article (Liam, Olivia, Emma, Noah, Sofia, Luna). Afterward, they will report back the most popular name among their classmates.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Students will draw a baby name from the article (e.g., Liam, Olivia, etc.) on the board while the rest of the class guesses the name. They can use simple drawings or symbols related to the name.

– THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Instructions: Students will think about why certain names might be popular. Then, they will pair up to discuss their thoughts with a partner before sharing their ideas with the whole class.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Students will create a catchy headline for the article based on its content. They can work in small groups and then share their headlines with the class, discussing why they chose them.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are the two most popular baby names in the U.S. for 2024?

2. How long has Liam been the top name for boys?

3. Which name has been the top name for girls for six years?

4. What is the second most popular name for girls?

5. What name is becoming more popular for girls?

6. What name is not in the top 10 anymore?

7. Where do some popular names come from?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Liam and (1)______ are the most popular (2)______ names in the U.S. for 2024. Liam has been the top name for boys for eight years. Olivia has been the top (3)______ for girls for six years. Emma and Noah are the second most popular names. The list was (4)______ around Mother’s Day.

Some names are becoming more popular, (5)______ Sofia for girls. Luna is not in the top 10 anymore. (6)______ like names that work in different (7)______. More babies were born in 2024 than in 2023. Names from TV shows and social (8)______ are also popular.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your name?
2. Do you like your name? Why?
3. What is a name you think is pretty?
4. How would you feel if your name was very popular?
5. Do you think names from TV shows are good? Why or why not?
6. What is a name you would like to give a baby?
7. How would you feel if you met someone with the same name as you?
8. Do you like the name Liam? Why?
9. What is a name you think is funny?
10. Do you think it is important to have a special name? Why?
11. How would you feel if your name was hard to say?
12. Do you think names can tell us about a person? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. popular
2. shared
3. cultures
4. babies
5. born
6. shows
7. social
8. media
9. different
10. parents

Meanings:
(A) Things like TV, radio, and the internet
(B) Liked by many people
(C) To give something to others
(D) Ways of life of different groups of people
(E) When a baby comes into the world
(F) A child’s mom and dad
(G) Not the same
(H) Being with other people
(I) Very young children
(J) Programs you watch on TV
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the top boy name in the U.S. for 2024?
(a) Noah
(b) Emma
(c) Liam
(d) Sofia

2. What is the top girl name in the U.S. for 2024?
(a) Luna
(b) Emma
(c) Sofia
(d) Olivia

3. How long has Liam been the top name for boys?
(a) Eight years
(b) Six years
(c) Two years
(d) Four years

4. What is the second most popular boy name?
(a) Noah
(b) Liam
(c) Emma
(d) Luna

5. What is the second most popular girl name?
(a) Olivia
(b) Emma
(c) Sofia
(d) Luna

6. What name is becoming more popular for girls?
(a) Olivia
(b) Sofia
(c) Emma
(d) Liam

7. How many babies were born in 2024 compared to 2023?
(a) Fewer babies
(b) The same number
(c) No babies
(d) More babies

8. Where do some popular names come from?
(a) Books and movies
(b) Schools and parks
(c) TV shows and social media
(d) Animals and toys

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Liam is the most popular name for boys in 2024.
2. Olivia hasn’t been the top girl name for six years.
3. Some names are getting less popular, like Sofia.
4. More babies were born in 2024 than in 2023.
5. Emma and Noah are the second most popular names.
6. Liam has not been the top boy name for eight years.
7. Olivia is the most popular name for girls in 2024.
8. Luna is in the top 10 names anymore.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. What are the two most popular baby names in the U.S. for 2024?
2. How long has Liam been the top name for boys?
3. Which name is now not in the top 10 anymore?
4. What do parents like about names from different cultures?
5. What can make a name popular besides being nice?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are the two most popular baby names in the U.S. for 2024?
Liam and Olivia.

2. How long has Liam been the top name for boys?
For eight years.

3. Which name has been the top name for girls for six years?
Olivia.

4. What is the second most popular name for girls?
Emma.

5. What name is becoming more popular for girls?
Sofia.

6. What name is not in the top 10 anymore?
Luna.

7. Where do some popular names come from?
From TV shows and social media.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Olivia
(2) baby
(3) name
(4) shared
(5) like
(6) Parents
(7) cultures
(8) media
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. popular
Answer: (B) Liked by many people

2. shared
Answer: (C) To give something to others

3. cultures
Answer: (D) Ways of life of different groups of people

4. babies
Answer: (I) Very young children

5. born
Answer: (E) When a baby comes into the world

6. shows
Answer: (J) Programs you watch on TV

7. social
Answer: (H) Being with other people

8. media
Answer: (A) Things like TV, radio, and the internet

9. different
Answer: (G) Not the same

10. parents
Answer: (F) A child’s mom and dad
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the top boy name in the U.S. for 2024?
Answer: (c) Liam

2. What is the top girl name in the U.S. for 2024?
Answer: (d) Olivia

3. How long has Liam been the top name for boys?
Answer: (a) Eight years

4. What is the second most popular boy name?
Answer: (a) Noah

5. What is the second most popular girl name?
Answer: (b) Emma

6. What name is becoming more popular for girls?
Answer: (b) Sofia

7. How many babies were born in 2024 compared to 2023?
Answer: (d) More babies

8. Where do some popular names come from?
Answer: (c) TV shows and social media
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Liam is the most popular name for boys in 2024. (Answer: True)
2. Olivia hasn’t been the top girl name for six years. (Answer: False)
3. Some names are getting less popular, like Sofia. (Answer: False)
4. More babies were born in 2024 than in 2023. (Answer: True)
5. Emma and Noah are the second most popular names. (Answer: True)
6. Liam has not been the top boy name for eight years. (Answer: False)
7. Olivia is the most popular name for girls in 2024. (Answer: True)
8. Luna is in the top 10 names anymore. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧