As 2025 approaches its conclusion, the Lehigh Valley hospital networks have unveiled the most popular baby names for the year. According to data released by the St. Luke’s University Health Network, the names Noah and Sophia emerged as the top choices among parents in their facilities.
Popular Names Across St. Luke’s Facilities
At the St. Luke’s Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township, Noah or Noa was the leading name for boys, followed closely by Owen, Oliver, Carter, and a tie between Lucas and Luke. For girls, Sophia topped the list, with Olivia, Charlotte, and a tie between Amelia and Zoe following closely.
The St. Luke’s Allentown Campus presented a slightly different ranking. Here, Charlotte was the most popular name for girls, trailed by Lainey, Gianna, and a three-way tie among Isabelle, Olivia, and Sofia. For boys, Noah once again claimed the top spot, with Elijah, Michael, and a tie between Oliver and Theodore rounding out the list.
These rankings show a degree of consistency compared to previous years. In 2024, the most popular girls’ names across the St. Luke’s network included Olivia, Mia, Sophia or Sofia, and Charlotte. For boys, the leading names were Liam, Noah, Lucas or Luke, and Henry. In 2023, Isabella and Liam were at the forefront.
Jefferson Health’s Insights into Baby Naming Trends
Meanwhile, Lehigh Valley Health Network, under the umbrella of Jefferson Health, reported similar trends. Its data indicated that Sophia and Noah were the most favored names in 2025. At Jefferson Health’s ten delivery facilities, parents showcased preferences that reflect both national trends and local influences from Philadelphia.
A total of 60 parents selected Sophia for their daughters, making it the most popular girl’s name at Jefferson Health. Following close behind were Emma with 53 babies and Isabella with 52. On the boys’ side, Noah dominated with 103 registrations, while Liam secured second place with 91.
These local preferences resonate with national data from babycenter.com, which also identifies Noah and Olivia as the top names for boys and girls, respectively. The national rankings for boys’ names remained unchanged from 2024, with Noah, Liam, Oliver, Elijah, and Mateo leading the way.
Philadelphia’s sports culture notably influenced naming trends this year. Inspired by local sports figures, over 45 babies were named Cooper, potentially after Eagles player Cooper DeJean or actor Bradley Cooper. Additionally, seven babies received the name Jalen, possibly in reference to Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Baseball fans contributed to the 35 babies named Harper, while seven Bryces were also welcomed. One family even chose to name their son Kelce.
Parents at Jefferson Health also embraced more unconventional names this year, with geographic references like Toronto, Egypt, Boston, Bronx, and Holland appearing in the list. Names that evoke positive emotions also gained popularity, with babies named Love, Miracle, Charm, and Wonder.
As naming trends evolve, the 2025 data from the Lehigh Valley presents a fascinating snapshot of parental preferences, reflecting both enduring favorites and emerging influences shaped by culture and community.
