It's that time of the year again! Hard to believe with all that's happened over the last few days that we're only one week into 2021! But a new year means all the data on 2020's baby names has been compiled and that the most popular names of last year have been revealed. Big news about 2020? Emma and Noah top the rankings for the second year in a row!

Emma and Noah hold on to the top spots

A total of 167,157 babies were born in the first 11 months of last year, 2,000 fewer than in the same period in 2019. Like in 2019, however, the majority were boys: 85,540 compared to 81,617 girls. According to figures from social insurance bank SVB (Sociale Verzekeringsbank), which is responsible for paying out child benefit in the Netherlands, 825 were named Noah and 685 were named Emma. 

While both names managed to cling onto the top spots, the popularity of the name Emma did fall slightly (685 versus 731 in 2019) and the name is facing tough competition from Julia and Mila, both with 665 entries each. Noah, on the other hand, appeared to rise in popularity (825 versus 785 in 2019). The second most popular boy's name was Sem (645).

The most popular baby names of 2020

These are 2020's most popular baby names in the Netherlands.

Boys:

1. Noah
2. Sem
3. Sam
4. Liam
5. Lucas
6. Daan
7. Finn
8. Levi
9. Luuk
10. Mees

Girls:

1. Emma
2. Julia
3. Mila
4. Tess
5. Sophie
6. Zoë
7. Sara
8. Nora
9. Yara
10. Eva

Find out how popular your name was for babies last year on the SVB website.