James and Amelia claim top spots as Mississippi’s most popular baby names of 2025
JACKSON, Miss. — Tradition and classic charm led the way for Mississippi parents in 2025, as James and Amelia officially became the most popular names for baby boys and girls born in the state.
The rankings were released Tuesday by the Mississippi State Department of Health’s (MSDH) Office of Vital Records and Public Health Statistics. The annual list is compiled using provisional birth certificate data to identify the naming trends of Mississippi residents.
A Rise to the Top
Both names saw a significant climb in popularity over the last 12 months. In 2024, James was ranked third among boys, while Amelia held the fourth-place spot for girls. This year, they surged to the top, with 163 baby boys named James and 113 baby girls named Amelia.
Top 5 Leaderboard
The top of the rankings remained a mix of perennial favorites and emerging classics.
Most Popular Boy Names:
- James (163)
- William (157)
- John (154)
- Noah (120)
- Elijah (108)
Most Popular Girl Names:
- Amelia (113)
- Charlotte (104)
- Olivia (96)
- Ava (95)
- Elizabeth (86)
Notable Trends and “Big Movers”
While many names on the 2025 list are mainstays, several saw dramatic jumps in the rankings to break into the top tier. For boys, the names Weston and Stetson showed significant growth in popularity. On the girls’ side, Delilah, Eden, and Ailany were noted by health officials as “big movers” for the year.
The Office of Vital Records notes that these rankings are based on provisional data and reflect the choices of parents living within the state at the time of birth.
To view the complete Top 25 rankings for both boys and girls, residents can visit the official health department website at msdh.ms.gov/babynames.
