Kids & Family
NC Maternity Wards Are Full Of Babies With These Names
The Social Security Administration is out with its annual rankings of America's most popular baby names. See what names dominate in NC.

For the first time since 2013, a new name for boys is the most popular baby name in America while the most popular baby name for girls holds steady. Liam and Emma are the top baby names in America for 2017, with Liam taking out Noah for the No. 1 spot while Emma enjoys its fourth year on the top.
The list of most popular baby names was announced this month by the Social Security Administration.
In North Carolina, the most popular baby name for girls was Ava and the most popular baby name for boys was William.
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Here are North Carolinaβs top 5 baby names for girls in 2017:
- Ava
- Emma
- Olivia
- Isabella
- Charlotte
Here are North Carolinaβs top 5 baby names for boys in 2017:
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- William
- Noah
- Liam
- James
- Mason
The 2017 list includes a few more shake-ups, with two names falling off the top 10 on both the boysβ and girlsβ list for the first time. Michael fell off the top 10 for the first time since World War II and landed at No. 12. On the girls side, Emily fell off the top 10 for the first time since 1990.
For boys, the top 10 baby names for 2017 are:
- Liam
- Noah
- William
- James
- Logan
- Benjamin
- Mason
- Elijah
- Oliver
- Jacob
For girls, the top 10 baby names for 2017 are:
- Emma
- Olivia
- Ava
- Isabella
- Sophia
- Mia
- Charlotte
- Amelia
- Evelyn
- Abigail
How popular is your name? Click here to find out.
The SSA began compiling the list in 1997, with names dating back to 1880. The administration also notes how popular culture influences baby names. In 2017, the SSA says parents seem to have been influenced by reality television.
Ensley was the fastest rising name on the girlsβ list while Wells was the fastest rising name on the boysβ list. The SSA notes that the rise in Wells possibly has to do with a contestant on βThe Bacheloretteβ named Wells.
Parents also chose the name Melania at an increasing rate in 2017, owing to the popularity of the first lady of the United States. The name βDreamβ rose 840 spots for girls, thanks to Kardashian fame. Dream is the name Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna chose for their daughter.
The Villanova Wildcats, the NCAA basketball champions not only for 2018 but also for 2016, also seemed to have influenced parents. The SSA said the name βNovaβ was a fast riser on the boysβ list.
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Photo via Shutterstock
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