CMC Reveals Most Popular Baby Names for 2025
What a year it’s been at The BirthPlace at Conway Medical Center! Last year, 1,778 babies were welcomed into the world—a remarkable 16% increase from 2023 and one of the busiest years in recent memory. From 49 sets of twins to hundreds of beautifully unique names, 2025 brought joy, surprises, and plenty of adorable new faces to local families.
For years, The BirthPlace has seen a vast majority of the births in Horry County, and 2025 proved that our community is growing stronger than ever. There were 861 girls and 917 boys born at the hospital last year. And while the names that were given to these little bundles of joy varied widely—from timeless classics to trends—some clear favorites emerged.
And the most popular name in 2025 was…
Liam! For the third year running, this charming Irish name meaning “strong-willed warrior” claimed the top spot. Twenty families chose this name for their little ones, making it not only the most popular boy name but also the most popular name overall at CMC in 2025. The name has been a national favorite for years, but it seems Horry County parents love it just as much for its simple strength and timeless appeal.
Other popular boys’ names told an interesting story of tradition meets modernity. Noah came in second with 12 babies—a biblical classic that continues to resonate with families. Then came a three-way tie for third place with Lucas, Elijah, and Mateo, each chosen for 8 babies.
The competition was fierce among the girls’ names, resulting in a three-way tie for first place! Emma, Mia, and Olivia each graced 9 baby girls born at The BirthPlace. Emma has been a perennial favorite for decades. Mia, meaning “mine” in Italian, brings a sweet simplicity that parents adore.
Not to be outdone, second place also saw a three-way tie with Evelyn, Lainey, and Sofia, each chosen for 8 baby girls. Evelyn has experienced a remarkable comeback in recent years—a vintage name that feels fresh again.
Charlotte, Isabella, and Isla tied for third place with 7 babies each. It’s worth noting that Charlotte has royal connections (hello, Princess Charlotte!) and was the number one girls name at CMC just a few years ago in 2023. Isla—pronounced “eye-la”—has been trending upward in recent years with its Scottish island origins and lovely simplicity.
What’s particularly fascinating about 2025 is the incredible diversity of names chosen by families. Although many names were used repeatedly, of the 1,778 babies born at CMC, a remarkable 861 had completely unique names that were only bestowed upon one newborn. Overall, parents drew from 1,159 different names this year—from traditional choices like Alexander and Amelia to more distinctive selections that reflect personal meaning, cultural heritage, and creative inspiration.
Commemorate the Birth of One of Our CMC Babies
If you’d like to honor one of the many babies born at CMC in 2025 or years past, you can purchase a commemorative star to be hung on the A Star Is Born wall in the BirthPlace. All proceeds from the A Star Is Born program go to the Maternal Child Healthcare Fund organized by the CMC Foundation to assist in enhancing the level of health care provided in the Nursery, Labor and Delivery, and Pediatrics nursing units at CMC while also addressing the needs of our patients and their families. CLICK HERE to learn more.
