Mamas Uncut

27 Popular Baby Names in Australia That American Parents Are Overlooking

Baby names in Australia and the US are very similar but there are some major differences. Australian parents have more in common with those in the UK when it comes to the baby name trends and which appellations become hits. That means that many of the popular names in Australia do have a distinctly British feel. Names like Imogen and Hamish land in the top 100 most popular names for babies in Australia. You will find those names well used in the UK but only sparingly given in the US.

Another factor that set the US and Australia apart is a desire for appellations that end in vowels. These are popular in the US but nothing like in Australia where it’s become an unwritten rule. Further, nickname names as given names are huge down under. Billie, Frankie, Charlie, etc. are much more popular there than here. Another distinction is the Australian use of royal names. Harry and Archie are on a whole other level down there. To paint a full picture of the differences, we compared the top 100 names from the latest release of data from both countries to discover which names Australians are using that Americans should more readily consider. Take a look at our findings!

Popular Names for Girls in Australia That Deserve More Attention

Bonnie

Baby Names in Australia

Let’s kick things off with a name that wears like a nickname and also ends in a vowel. Bonnie is infinitely more popular in Australia than the US. The name has been on the upward trend in the US in recent years but we Americans are seriously lagging behind. Bonnie is of Scottish origin and means “beautiful” or “cheerful.”

Lara

Lara is a Russian diminutive form of Larissa and means “citadel.” Lara was most popular in the US back in the 1960s. Today, it is climbing once more in the US but it is moving at a glacial pace. Lara makes for a distinct alternative to Laura and really has an excellent, modern sound to it.

Billie

Billie is one of the many popular nickname names in Australia. It, of course, is a form of William a name that means “resolute protector.” As a given name for girls in the US, Billie fell from fashion for decades before (barely) returning to the US top 1000 last year. While it is showing signs of a revival here it’s a top 100 name for girls down under.

Elsie

We’ve got another nickname name for you in Elsie. Elsie is a diminutive form of Elizabeth from the Scottish version of the name Elspeth. Thus, the appellation means “pledged to God.” Elsie is on the upward trend in the US and we might just be more like the Antipodeans in the next two to three years. As it stands today, Elsie is far more popular in Australia.

Florence

After almost 40 years off of the US top 1000, Florence returned to it in 2017. It has enjoyed a modest uptick each year since then. When compared to Australia, however, the appellation goes to baby girls at a rate of ten to one. Florence is of Latin origin and means “thriving” or “prosperous.”

Evie

Since 2007, Evie has been on the rise in the US. This charmer goes to three Australian babies for every one American child. Yes, this is yet another nickname name, a diminutive form of Eve or Eva that means “life.”

Frankie

How fabulous is the name Frankie? Frankie landed back in the US top 1000 in 2015 after a 41-year hiatus. For girls, it’s a popular choice in England and Wales, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, it still does not rank in the top 500. Frankie is a diminutive form of Frances and it means “Frenchman”or “free man.”

Hallie

Hallie rhymes with alley and should not be confused with Hailey. The name has been up and down, all over the place really, on the popularity charts in the US. It is upwardly climbing today but it’s got a lot to go before it compares to the name’s popularity in Australia. The name is of English and Norse origin and means “dweller near the meadow manor.”

Harriet

Harriet is the first name for girls to end with a consonant on this list! Yes, Australians love those vowel endings so much that most of the names for girls are missing a hard ending. Harriet feels like a vintage option in the US as it was last favorable in the 1960s. This name might be gaining traction in the US but it still does not reach the top 1000 today. Harriet is yet another diminutive form of a name, Henrietta, in this case. Thus, the appellation means “estate ruler.”

Heidi

Heidi is trending down in the US but in Australia, it is a top 100 appellation for girls. The name is of German origin, a form of Adelheid, meaning “noble.” The name will forever be associated with that lively girl who calls the Alps home.

Imogen

The only other name to end with a consonant, Imogen, has an undeniable British appeal to it. Pronounced IM-uh-jen, Imogen is wildly popular in Australia second to only England and Scotland (and not by much). Imogen is a name of Celtic origin that means “maiden.” We think more American parents should give this name a try as it has never been popular in the US. Think of the cute nicknames Immy and Gen!

Indiana

What is up with the name Indiana? The name was last, mildly popular in the US in 1893! Today, it’s more popular in Australia and England and that is shocking considering that Indiana is a US state, a place name that means “land of the Indians.” Will Americans follow the Brits and Aussies or will this name remain unused in the US? Only time will tell!

Maggie

They really love these nickname names down under, don’t they? Maggie is an English diminutive form of Margaret which comes from a Greek root that means “pearl.” The name was most popular in the US the first year that baby name data was collected here in 1890! Its next most popular year was 2007 and it has been slipping down the charts ever since.

Poppy

Poppy is an English name that comes from a Latin root that means “red flower.” The name has long been favored in the UK and Australia. American parents have just come around to this appellation with it ranking in the US top 1000 for the very first time in 2016. It’s climbing which is exciting for this flower name but it’s nowhere near what parents are doing with it across the Commonwealth.

Pippa

Pippa can be considered an English or Italian diminutive form of Philippa a name from Greek that means “lover of horses.” Pippa has been a popular choice in the UK and Australia and it’s actually more popular in Australia than in any other country in the world. Pippa is a peppy name that American parents have historically shunned. It’s never been a popular choice here and that should change!

Popular Australian Baby Names for Boys That American Parents Should Consider

Angus

Angus has a long history as a popular Scottish Gaelic name for boys. Would you believe that it is more popular in Australia than in its native home? Australians love this charming name that means “one strength.” In the US, the name was last favorable in the 1940s! We think it’s time for American parents to bring it back.

Archie

A royal baby name, Archie also feels very British and ends in a vowel making it one of the names that ticks off a lot of boxes as far as Australian baby name trends go. Archie is an English short form of Archibald, a Teutonic appellation that means “truly brave.” Americans have Meghan Markle to thank for this name regaining favor in the US. However, it’s nowhere near the popularity of this name for the Brits, the Scotts, and our Aussie friends.

Bodhi

American parents have taken notice of the name Bodhi in recent years. The name landed in the US top 1000 for the first time in 2010. It’s been steadily climbing ever since. It will likely crack the top 100 in the next 4-5 years if trends hold here. In Australia and New Zealand, the name is already an established favorite and just outside the top 50 most popular names for boys in both countries. Bodhi is a name of Sanskrit origin that means “enlightenment.”

Darcy

Darcy? Yes, Darcy is a big hit for boys in Australia. If you are an American, this is likely unthinkable. Though Darcy is the ultimate Jane Austen hero name, it is rarely used for boys today though it’s on the upswing for girls in the US. Darcy is a name of French and Irish origin and means “from Arcy.” The appellation was last popular here in the 1970s!

Felix

Felix hit peak popularity in the US in 1884. That does not mean it went away. The name appears to be rather polarizing for American parents as it has always been in the US top 1000 but never in the top 100. It’s trending up and might set a new record here in the next few years. Felix is of Latin origin and means “fortunate.”

Fletcher

The country that most favors the name Fletcher is unquestionably Australia. Fletcher has been a mildly popular choice in the US ranking 655th this last year. Fletcher is an occupational name that means “arrow maker.” It’s the right kind of quirky for Australians and we imagine it would be a great fit for American parents as well. Just give it a chance!

Flynn

Flynn is an Irish surname-turned-given-name that means “son of the redheaded one.” It finally made its way onto the US top 1000 chart in 2011 and it has been very slowly climbing ever since. The name is more popular in Australia today than in its native Ireland.

Hamish

Australia is second only to Scotland when it comes to the popularity of the name Hamish. The name originated in Scotland as a form of James. Thus, the name means “supplanter.” The Aussies really love Scottish baby names! The name has never been a popular choice in the US. What a shame!

Harvey

Harvey is a name of French origin that means “worthy of battle.” However, you won’t find this name on many French babies’ birth certificates. Harvey is most popular in Australia today where it is the 26th most given name for boys. It is barely in the top 500 in the US and we expect this name to continue to suffer because of its association with convicted criminal Harvey Weinstein.

Lachlan

Pronounced LACK-lin or LOCK-lin, American parents have finally taken notice of this winning Scottish appellation. It landed in the US top 1000 for the first time in 2011 but it has not improved much since then. In Australia, it’s one of the most popular names for boys. In fact, it is more popular there than in Scotland today! Lachlan’s root means “from the land of the fjords.”

Sonny

Sonny reached its peak popularity in the US in the 1970s. It’s a jovial nickname-name making it a prime target among Australian parents. It’s not just popular down under. Sonny also enjoys more favor in the UK and New Zealand than it does in the US. Sonny is pacing to be a top 500 name once more in the next few years. Until then, the countries of the Commonwealth will keep it warm for us.

Lennox

Oh, yes, time for one more Scottish name for boys! Lennox is on track to become a popular boy name in the US but it has already enjoyed favor in Germany and Australia. The Scottish root of the name means “elm grove.” We know this name is destined for greatness in the US if parents continue to give into its expressive sound.

There you have them! What did you think of these popular Australian names? Many are familiar and accessible but American parents just don’t have the taste for them. We think the popular names from Australia can teach American parents a thing or two about lightening up. If you’d like even more baby name inspiration, keep reading. We’ve got 200 names that automatically come with the best nicknames. Enjoy!

Cute Nicknames for Girls

A & B Names

C & D Names

E & F Names

G & H Names

I & J Names

K & L Names

M & N Names

O & P Names

R & S Names

T & V Names

W, Y & Z Names

Unisex Cute Nicknames

A – G Names

H – Q Names

R – Z Names

RELATED: 300 Cute Nicknames For Girls and Guys

Cute Nicknames for Boys

A & B Names

C & D Names

E & F Names

G & H Names

I & J Names

K & L Names

M & N Names

O & P Names

R & S Names

T & V Names

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: 25 Cute Nicknames That Make Great Official First Names

W & X Names

There you go! What did you think of these baby appellations with cute nicknames? We hope they inspired you and gave you food for thought on your baby name search. After all, most of us will use a nickname for our children more than their proper name so it’s only logical to consider what nickname you will use for your sweet baby. Happy baby name hunting!

Exit mobile version