In 2024, the names Liam and Olivia continue to be the most popular choices for newborns in the United States, maintaining their dominance for the sixth consecutive year. According to the Social Security Administration, which has been tracking baby names since 1880, these names have consistently topped the charts. The agency released its annual list of popular names just in time for Mother’s Day, reflecting the preferences of parents across the nation.

Liam has held the top position for boys for an impressive eight years, while Olivia has been the favorite for girls for six years. Following these two names, Emma remains the second most popular name for girls, and Noah holds the second spot for boys. Interestingly, the name Luna has fallen out of the Top 10 for girls, making way for Sofia, which has entered the list at number 10 for the first time.

The Social Security Administration’s data reveals the most common names for boys after Liam: Noah, Oliver, Theodore, James, Henry, Mateo, Elijah, Lucas, and William. For girls, after Olivia, the most popular names include Emma, Amelia, Charlotte, Mia, Sophia, Isabella, Evelyn, Ava, and Sofia. This list highlights the trends in naming preferences among American parents.

Sophie Kihm, the editor-in-chief of Nameberry, a website dedicated to baby names, notes that American parents are increasingly opting for names with cross-cultural significance. She mentions that many families in the U.S. come from diverse cultural backgrounds, leading parents to choose names that are easily understood globally. Kihm’s own name appears in two variations on the annual list, emphasizing the trend of selecting heritage names.

The latest data from the Social Security Administration indicates that approximately 3.61 million babies were born in the U.S. in 2024, a slight increase from the previous year’s 3.59 million. This rise in the birthrate may be influenced by various factors, including the impact of social media and popular television shows on naming trends. Notably, the name Ailany, a Hawaiian name meaning “chief,” has gained popularity among girls, while the boys’ name Truce, which means “peace,” has seen a remarkable rise in ranking, moving up over 11,000 spots from the previous year.

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

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Divide students into small groups. Each group will create a catchy headline for the article based on its main themes, focusing on aspects like trends, popularity, and cultural significance. Afterward, each group shares their headline with the class.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Have students conduct a quick opinion poll in pairs about their favorite baby names and why they chose them. They will then present their findings to the class, discussing any similarities or interesting trends in their choices.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: In small groups, students will create a mind map based on the article’s content. They should include key concepts such as popular names, cultural significance, and trends over the years. Once completed, groups will share their mind maps and discuss the connections they made.

– FUTURE PREDICTIONS
Instructions: Ask students to predict which names they think will be popular in the next five years and why. They should consider factors like cultural influences, media, and societal trends. Each student will share their predictions with the class, fostering a discussion about naming trends.

– SYNONYM CHALLENGE
Instructions: Write key nouns and verbs from the article on the board (e.g., “popular,” “names,” “trends”). Students will work in pairs to come up with synonyms for these words. Afterward, pairs will share their synonyms, and the class can discuss which alternatives might be most appropriate in different contexts.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What names have been the most popular choices for newborns in the United States in 2024?
2. How long has Liam been the top name for boys, and how long has Olivia been the favorite for girls?
3. Which name has entered the Top 10 for girls for the first time, and which name has fallen out of it?
4. What are the names that follow Liam in popularity for boys according to the Social Security Administration?
5. How does Sophie Kihm describe the trend among American parents regarding baby names?
6. What factors might have contributed to the slight increase in the birthrate in the U.S. in 2024?
7. Can you name one Hawaiian name that has gained popularity among girls and its meaning?
8. What significant change occurred with the boys’ name Truce in terms of its ranking from the previous year?
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🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In 2024, the names Liam and Olivia (1)______ to be the most popular choices for (2)______ in the United States, maintaining their dominance for the sixth consecutive year. According to the Social Security Administration, which has been tracking baby names since 1880, these names have consistently topped the charts. The (3)______ released its annual list of popular names just in time for Mother’s Day, reflecting the preferences of (4)______ across the nation.

Liam has held the top position for boys for an impressive eight years, while Olivia has been the favorite for girls for six years. Following these two names, Emma remains the second most (5)______ name for girls, and Noah holds the second spot for boys. Interestingly, the name Luna has fallen out of the Top 10 for girls, making way for Sofia, which has (6)______ the list at number 10 for the (7)______ time.

The Social Security Administration’s data reveals the most common names for boys after Liam: Noah, Oliver, Theodore, James, Henry, Mateo, Elijah, Lucas, and William. For girls, after Olivia, the most popular names include Emma, (8)______, Charlotte, Mia, Sophia, Isabella, Evelyn, Ava, and Sofia. This list highlights the (9)______s in naming preferences among American parents.

Sophie Kihm, the editor-in-chief of Nameberry, a website dedicated to baby (10)______, notes that American parents are increasingly opting for names with cross-cultural significance. She mentions that many (11)______ in the U.S. come from (12)______ cultural backgrounds, leading parents to choose names that are easily understood globally. Kihm’s own name appears in two variations on the annual list, emphasizing the trend of selecting heritage names.

The latest data from the Social Security Administration indicates that approximately 3.61 million babies were born in the U.S. in 2024, a slight increase from the previous year’s 3.59 million. This rise in the birthrate may be influenced by various factors, including the impact of social (13)______ and popular television shows on naming trends. Notably, the name Ailany, a (14)______ name (15)______ “chief,” has gained popularity among girls, while the boys’ name Truce, which means “peace,” has seen a remarkable rise in ranking, moving up over 11,000 (16)______ from the previous year.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a name that you think has a special meaning or significance in your culture?
2. How would you feel if your parents had chosen a completely different name for you?
3. Do you like the trend of parents choosing names with cross-cultural significance? Why or why not?
4. What do you think influences the popularity of certain names in society?
5. How do you feel about the impact of social media on naming trends?
6. Do you think names can affect a person’s identity or how they are perceived by others? Why?
7. What is a name that you think is unique or unusual?
8. How would you feel if you were named after a famous person?
9. Do you think parents should consider the meaning of a name when choosing one for their child? Why or why not?
10. What is a trend you have noticed in baby names in your own country?
11. How do you feel about names that are difficult to pronounce or spell?
12. Do you think the popularity of certain names reflects societal values or trends? Why?
13. What is a name you would choose for a child, and why?
14. How would you feel if you had a very common name compared to a very rare one?
15. Do you think there are any negative aspects to having a popular name? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. dominance
2. consecutive
3. agency
4. annual
5. preferences
6. reveals
7. trends
8. significance
9. diverse
10. variations
11. heritage
12. approximately
13. influenced
14. remarkable
15. ranking

Meanings:
(A) Different forms or versions of something
(B) Following one after another without interruption
(C) A position in a hierarchy or scale, often based on quality or performance
(D) The quality of being important or meaningful
(E) Showing a great deal of variety; very different
(F) The state of having control or power over others
(G) An organization or company that provides a particular service
(H) Worthy of attention; extraordinary
(I) A greater liking for one alternative over others
(J) Affected or changed by something
(K) Makes known or shows something that was previously hidden
(L) The background or traditions from which a person comes
(M) Roughly or nearly, but not exactly
(N) Occurring once every year
(O) General directions in which something is developing or changing
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What are the most popular names for newborns in the United States in 2024?
(a) Noah and Emma
(b) Sophia and James
(c) Liam and Olivia
(d) Charlotte and Mateo

2. How long has Liam been the top name for boys?
(a) Eight years
(b) Six years
(c) Five years
(d) Ten years

3. Which name has fallen out of the Top 10 for girls?
(a) Emma
(b) Luna
(c) Ava
(d) Mia

4. What name has entered the list at number 10 for girls for the first time?
(a) Amelia
(b) Evelyn
(c) Sofia
(d) Charlotte

5. Who is Sophie Kihm?
(a) A baby name consultant
(b) A social media influencer
(c) A popular television host
(d) The editor-in-chief of Nameberry

6. How many babies were born in the U.S. in 2024 according to the Social Security Administration?
(a) Approximately 3.59 million
(b) Approximately 3.61 million
(c) Approximately 3.70 million
(d) Approximately 3.50 million

7. What is the meaning of the name Ailany?
(a) Chief
(b) Peace
(c) Happiness
(d) Strong

8. What significant change occurred with the boys’ name Truce?
(a) It fell out of the Top 10
(b) It became the most popular name
(c) It was introduced as a new name for boys
(d) It moved up over 11,000 spots in ranking

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Approximately 3.61 million babies were born in the U.S. in 2024.
2. The Social Security Administration has not been tracking baby names since 1880.
3. Liam has been the top name for girls for eight consecutive years.
4. In 2024, Liam and Olivia are the most popular names for newborns in the United States.
5. Olivia has been the favorite name for girls for six consecutive years.
6. Emma is the third most popular name for girls, while Noah is the second for boys.
7. The name Ailany has not gained popularity among girls, while the boys’ name Truce has not risen significantly in ranking.
8. The name Sofia has entered the Top 10 for girls for the first time in 2024.
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 factors may have contributed to the rise in popularity of names like Ailany and Truce in 2024?
2. How does the trend of choosing cross-cultural names reflect the diversity of American families?
3. In what ways might social media and television shows influence naming trends for newborns?
4. What are the top three most popular names for boys and girls in 2024, according to the Social Security Administration?
5. How has the birthrate in the U.S. changed from the previous year, and what significance might this have on naming trends?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What names have been the most popular choices for newborns in the United States in 2024?
Liam and Olivia.

2. How long has Liam been the top name for boys, and how long has Olivia been the favorite for girls?
Liam has been the top name for boys for eight years, and Olivia has been the favorite for girls for six years.

3. Which name has entered the Top 10 for girls for the first time, and which name has fallen out of it?
Sofia has entered the Top 10 for girls for the first time, and Luna has fallen out of it.

4. What are the names that follow Liam in popularity for boys according to the Social Security Administration?
Noah, Oliver, Theodore, James, Henry, Mateo, Elijah, Lucas, and William.

5. How does Sophie Kihm describe the trend among American parents regarding baby names?
She notes that American parents are increasingly opting for names with cross-cultural significance, often choosing names that are easily understood globally.

6. What factors might have contributed to the slight increase in the birthrate in the U.S. in 2024?
Factors may include the impact of social media and popular television shows on naming trends.

7. Can you name one Hawaiian name that has gained popularity among girls and its meaning?
Ailany, which means “chief.”

8. What significant change occurred with the boys’ name Truce in terms of its ranking from the previous year?
Truce has seen a remarkable rise in ranking, moving up over 11,000 spots from the previous year.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) continue
(2) newborns
(3) agency
(4) parents
(5) popular
(6) entered
(7) first
(8) Amelia
(9) trend
(10) names
(11) families
(12) diverse
(13) media
(14) Hawaiian
(15) meaning
(16) spots
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. dominance
Answer: (F) The state of having control or power over others

2. consecutive
Answer: (B) Following one after another without interruption

3. agency
Answer: (G) An organization or company that provides a particular service

4. annual
Answer: (N) Occurring once every year

5. preferences
Answer: (I) A greater liking for one alternative over others

6. reveals
Answer: (K) Makes known or shows something that was previously hidden

7. trends
Answer: (O) General directions in which something is developing or changing

8. significance
Answer: (D) The quality of being important or meaningful

9. diverse
Answer: (E) Showing a great deal of variety; very different

10. variations
Answer: (A) Different forms or versions of something

11. heritage
Answer: (L) The background or traditions from which a person comes

12. approximately
Answer: (M) Roughly or nearly, but not exactly

13. influenced
Answer: (J) Affected or changed by something

14. remarkable
Answer: (H) Worthy of attention; extraordinary

15. ranking
Answer: (C) A position in a hierarchy or scale, often based on quality or performance
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What are the most popular names for newborns in the United States in 2024?
Answer: (c) Liam and Olivia

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

3. Which name has fallen out of the Top 10 for girls?
Answer: (b) Luna

4. What name has entered the list at number 10 for girls for the first time?
Answer: (c) Sofia

5. Who is Sophie Kihm?
Answer: (d) The editor-in-chief of Nameberry

6. How many babies were born in the U.S. in 2024 according to the Social Security Administration?
Answer: (b) Approximately 3.61 million

7. What is the meaning of the name Ailany?
Answer: (a) Chief

8. What significant change occurred with the boys’ name Truce?
Answer: (d) It moved up over 11,000 spots in ranking
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Approximately 3.61 million babies were born in the U.S. in 2024. (Answer: True)
2. The Social Security Administration has not been tracking baby names since 1880. (Answer: False)
3. Liam has been the top name for girls for eight consecutive years. (Answer: False)
4. In 2024, Liam and Olivia are the most popular names for newborns in the United States. (Answer: True)
5. Olivia has been the favorite name for girls for six consecutive years. (Answer: True)
6. Emma is the third most popular name for girls, while Noah is the second for boys. (Answer: False)
7. The name Ailany has not gained popularity among girls, while the boys’ name Truce has not risen significantly in ranking. (Answer: False)
8. The name Sofia has entered the Top 10 for girls for the first time in 2024. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧