New data from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages has painted a clear picture of naming trends across the Hunter region for 2024, revealing which monikers parents are loving for their newborns.
Personal Stories Behind the Popular Picks
For Rebekah Stanley and her partner, choosing a name for their second daughter was a swift decision. Upon learning they were expecting a girl in September 2025, they settled on Harper almost immediately. Harper was born exactly two years after her older sister, Isla.
"We found out her gender at 13 weeks and within half an hour we chose her name," Ms Stanley said. She explained that Harper was the only girls' name they considered, as her partner had been convinced they were having a boy. They were drawn to the name because it was "feminine and sweet" and felt it paired well with Isla.
Isla, the name of their first daughter, had been on Ms Stanley's list for years. "I have always loved the name," she said, noting they decided on it within two months of discovering the baby's gender.
2024's Most Popular Names Across Hunter LGAs
The family's personal choices reflect broader regional trends. The data shows Harper was the top girls' name in both Cessnock and the Upper Hunter in 2024. It also ranked equal third in Lake Macquarie and equal second in Maitland, marking a significant rise in popularity from 2023, where it only appeared once, ranking equal third in Newcastle.
Isla also proved highly popular, ranking as the equal top name in Lake Macquarie, third in Newcastle, and equal second in Singleton.
Meanwhile, Charlotte maintained its enduring appeal, taking the top spot in Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, and Newcastle, and coming second in Singleton. The name has been a prominent feature in Hunter naming trends for the past five years.
Boys' Names and Newcomers to the Lists
For boys, Oliver and Hudson were clear regional favourites. Oliver ranked first in Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, and Newcastle, and took third place in Singleton. Hudson ranked equal first in Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, and Newcastle, while also securing third place in Cessnock, Maitland, and Singleton.
The 2024 data also highlighted some fresh faces breaking into the top spots for the first time in five years. For girls, these included Frankie in Maitland, and Lainey, Evie, and Zara in Muswellbrook. Maggie topped the list in Singleton, and Delilah was the number one choice in Dungog.
Dungog saw a five-year first for boys with Lane ranking equal first, while Muswellbrook welcomed three new top names: Jacob, Jett, and Lewis.
The data provides a fascinating snapshot of local preferences, showing a mix of timeless classics and emerging new favourites shaping the identity of the Hunter's youngest residents.
