Emma and Liam Claim Top Spots in Sanford Health’s 2025 Baby Name Rankings

Northeast Radio SD News – South Dakota - Familiar favorites and rising trends defined the nursery at Sanford Health this year, as the health system revealed its most popular baby names for 2025. Emma emerged as the leading choice for girls, while Liam surged to the top spot for boys.

Liam’s rise to prominence follows a strong showing in 2024, jumping two spots to claim the number one ranking. Emma, a perennial favorite, reclaimed her position at the top of the girls’ list.

The data reflects a busy year for the Sanford Health delivery teams, who have welcomed nearly 9,000 babies so far in 2025. July was the busiest month for births across the system, with the average weight of newborns holding steady at 7 pounds 3 ounces.

2025 Naming Trends

The year’s rankings saw several ties, highlighting a diverse but concentrated preference for classic and short-form names. On the girls’ side, Lainey—the 2024 favorite—remains popular, finishing in a second-place tie with Charlotte. For the boys, last year’s leader, Oliver, moved to the number two spot.

Theodore continued its steady climb, moving up one spot from 2024 to finish third for boys. The most competitive bracket of the year was the fifth-place spot for boys, which resulted in a four-way tie between William, Noah, Jack, and James.

Sanford Health Top 5 Baby Names of 2025

Boys:

1.    Liam

2.    Oliver

3.    Theodore

4.    Leo

5.    William, Noah, Jack, and James (Tie)

Girls:

1.    Emma

2.    Lainey and Charlotte (Tie)

3.    Ella

4.    Ellie