Every year, certain first names stand out. At the end of 2024, zoom in on these male and female first names, at the top of the lists at the start of the 21st century.
The transition to the 21st century is a significant event throughout the world and the year 2000 also gives pride of place to certain first names, which, 24 years ago, found themselves propelled to the top of the most trendy first names and especially the most assigned by young parents. Over the years, they gradually decline, but they have not said their last word…
The most popular female first name in 2000 saw a peak in births with 10,652 little girls named that way that year. This is a biblical first name referring to Jacob’s wife, Leah. This first name also refers to the statue of Michelangelo sculpted in 1545 and exhibited in Rome. A rich history, which is accompanied by a current trend: short first names with an A ending. Since then, the first name Léa has been in decline: INSEE recorded 1,619 births in 2023. According to the Official First Names (First editions ), Léa, queen of the 2000s is declining, but she “has not given up its weapons and remains, even today, in the top 25 ranks nationally and in most large cities, from Toulouse to Paris. Léa has thus become the second most given female first name in France since 2000 and today, it is given to nearly one in 185 girls.
As for boys, the year 2000 was marked by the success of the first name Thomas, with 10,463 births according to INSEE. He cedes his throne, a few years later, to Enzo and Lucas, in turn, the most attributed in the 2010s. But today, there are only 516 births in 2023. “This old first name owes its notoriety to the fact that it was worn by many saints” recall Stéphanie Rapoport and Claire Tabarly-Perrin, the authors of the Official Names. After a long success in English-speaking countries, it emerged in 1980 in France and, upon its arrival, took first place in the ranking. “IHe will keep his crown for six years before gradually fading in favor of young Tom” add the specialists. Of course, the apostle of Jesus, Saint Thomas, helped to quickly propel this pretty male first name.
In 2025, the names that will be the most trendy for girls are Ambre and Louise, followed by Alba, Jade and Alma. The most trendy male first names next year should be Gabriel, Raphaël, Léo, Maël and Louis, according to the latest estimates.