Have a kid who is just starting kindergarten (sniff, sniff)? Want to find out if your little one will be constantly using their last name to distinguish themselves from other classmates with the same name, or will they stand alone in the crowd? Compiled from the Social Security Administration (SSA) website of names given to babies in 2017 and 2018, these are the most popular names for kindergartners this year.
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Possible popular gender-neutral names in your kindergartner's class
The most popular boy names in kindergarten this year
Since 2017, Liam has been the most popular boy name in the United States and has consistently taken the top three spots since 2013, according to the Social Security Administration. The jump in the name's popularity loosely corresponds with the release of the Liam Neeson film, Taken, in 2009. Liam, much like the popular baby girl name, Sophia, will likely remain in the top ten for the near future.
If you did name your baby one of these popular names five years ago, you may want to make sure you teach your kindergartner how to spell their last name, or at least ensure they know their initials because it's quite likely they won't be the only Lucas or Oliver at circle time. Here's a list of the top boy names of 2018.
- Liam
- Noah
- William
- James
- Oliver
- Benjamin
- Elijah
- Lucas
- Mason
One additional thing to note; kindergarten can be challenging for any child, but for 2023 kindergartners in particular are likely going to have a more difficult time than most. The pandemic preschoolers have likely been around mom or dad from the very beginning. During lockdown, most of these COVID kids were unable to attend daycare, so the transition to kindergarten may prove to be a bit more challenging than you expect.
So, maybe having a classroom full of Liam's, Olivia's and Kinsley's is a good thing; they'll all be able to bond over their shared name and make fast friends from day one!
