With the final day of 2024 upon us, the population registry offers a glimpse into the most popular names given to babies born in the past year. As in every year, these names may also reflect broader social and cultural trends, beyond just the tastes and preferences of parents.
So, who claimed the top spot? Is the name familiar and traditional, or perhaps a new and original one? What accounts for the widespread popularity of these names among so many parents? Let’s examine the names and discover the various trends.
For the Third Consecutive Year
In the first place for girls’ names in the general public and the Jewish community, for the third consecutive year, is Abigail, with 1,156 infants given this popular name.
In second place is the name Miriam, with 1,015 babies in the general public, and Tamar in the Jewish sector with 833 infants. Yael, Ayala, and Sarah continue the list among girls, while Libby, Noa, and Adele complete the opening list.
Girls’ Name List in the General Public: Abigail (1,156), Miriam (1,015), Tamar (841), Sarah (752), Yael (725), Ayala (712), Libby (662), Noa (640), Adele (566).
And Again
In the boys’ names category, the most popular names in recent years remain at the top of the list this year as well. In the general public, the name Muhammad, unsurprisingly, shows a slight decline with 1,740 new infants named in Israel. Following this, the most popular name among the Jewish sector is Ariel, with 1,013 infants receiving this name.
As in previous years, David, Lavi, Adam, and of course, Yosef lead the list in both the general public and the Jewish sector. Rafael, Uri, and Daniel continue the boys’ list, while Eliyahu, Yehuda, and Ari close out the opening list of boys’ names.
Boys’ Name List in the General Public: Muhammad (1,740), Yosef (1,201), Adam (1,196), David (1,062), Ariel (1,045), Lavi (967), Omar (870), Rafael (847), Uri (789), Daniel (764).
Interesting Facts About Births in Israel:
- High Birth Rate: Israel has one of the highest birth rates in the Western world. As of 2024, the average birth rate stood at around 3 children per woman, above most OECD countries.
- Home Births in Israel: Despite most women in Israel giving birth in hospitals, there has been an increase in demand for home births in recent years, accounting for about 0.3%-0.5% of births.
- Hospitals with the Most Births Globally: “Lis” Hospital in Tel Aviv and “Ma’ayanai HaYeshua” Hospital in Bnei Brak are ranked among the places with the highest number of births per year in the world.
- Multiple Births: Israel records more births of twins and triplets compared to the world, partly due to the prevalence of fertility treatments.
