10 most popular baby names in Delaware in 2022, and predictions for 2023 (Hello, Nova!)

Naming a newborn is a challenge that often seeks to find the perfect balance between trendy and traditional.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) released the most popular baby names in Delaware for 2022, and Names.org released its list of predictions for this year's most popular names.

Long-gone are the days where newborn Karens reigned supreme. Olivia, Emma and Charlotte are the most popular female names in the country and of the last decade, while Liam, Noah and Oliver hold the top spots for male names nationwide.

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Delaware's list looks slightly different. Here are the most popular baby names in Delaware, with predictions for what may emerge next year

Delaware's most popular baby names

Top 10 male names in Delaware for 2022

1. Liam

2. Noah

3. James

4. Michael

5. William

6. Logan

7. Lucas

8. Benjamin

9. Jack

10. Owen

Liam and Noah have been competing for the top spot in Delaware since around 2015, with a few attempts by the Michaels, Noahs and Masons of the state. Liam has been the most popular male name in the country since 2017 and in Delaware since 2019.

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Top 10 female names in Delaware for 2022

1. Sophia

2. Olivia

3. Charlotte

4. Ava

5. Amelia

6. Emma

7. Mia

8. Sofia

9. Gianna

10. Harper

Sophia pulled off a comeback from placing fifth in the most popular female names in 2021, dethroning Charlotte and Olivia's consecutive years as No. 1 and No. 2 respectively.

Predictions for 2023

Name.org released its predictions for the most popular baby names in 2023 from each state based on Social Security data and user interest on its website.

After years of fierce competition with Emma, Olivia secured its No. 1 spot in 2019 and has remained in a comfortable lead since.

Most of Delaware's most popular names for both boys and girls were in-step with national trends, but a couple in each category are unique to the state in terms of their popularity (those names are bolded).

Predicted top 10 male names in Delaware for 2023

1. Liam

2. Noah

3. Lucas

4. Elijah

5. Michael

6. Oliver

7. Levi

8. David

9. James

10. Carter

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Predicted top 10 female names in Delaware for 2023

1. Charlotte

2. Olivia

3. Amelia

4. Emma

5. Isabella

6. Mia

7. Sophia

8. Harper

9. Leilani

10. Nova

The website also published names that were most unique to the state. According to its database, there is a higher likelihood of a boy named Francis, Chase or Sean and a girl named Dawn, Gianna or Michele to be in Delaware than other areas of the country. Other names unique to Delaware included Nasir, Elwood and Zion for boys and Devon, Aniyah and Delaney for girls.

Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 10 most popular baby names in Delaware for 2022 and what may be next