A few names remained perennial favorites for babies born at Mount Nittany Medical Center, while 15 new entries joined the list in 2024.
Nearly 1,200 babies were delivered this year at the State College hospital and its Joseph V. and Suzanne P. Paterno Women and Children’s Services Unit. On Wednesday, Mount Nittany Health revealed the most popular boys’ and girls’ names for those newborns.
Oliver topped the list of boys’ names this year after coming in second in 2023. The only other boys’ name to repeat from last year’s list was Theodore, ranking fourth in 2024.
The name of the first baby born at Mount Nittany Medical Center in 2024 proved to be popular throughout the year. Parker was No. 6 on the list of boys’ names.
Among girls’ names, Lainey was the most popular choice this year after not appearing on the list in 2023. Returning to the list for at least the fourth consecutive year were Harper (5) and Emma (7).
The top boys’ and girls’ names in 2023 — Henry and Charlotte — both fell off of this year’s list.
Here’s a look at the top 10 names for boys and girls born at Mount Nittany Medical Center in 2024.
Boys
- Oliver
- Brooks
- Leo
- Theodore
- Ethan
- Parker
- Silas
- John
- Wesley
Girls
- Lainey
- Ava
- Grace
- Evelyn
- Harper
- Ellie
- Emma
- Ivy
- Quinn
- Scarlett
Mount Nittany Medical Center’s Women and Children’s Services Unit is the largest unit of its kind in the region and once again was named among America’s Best Maternity Hospitals by Newsweek.
The unit launched an initiative in 2024 to further promote safe sleep practices by providing a sleep sack for each newborn upon discharge. Sleep sacks are akin to a wearable blanket designed to provide a safe and warm sleep environment and are an effective tool in reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
“Establishing safe sleep habits from the start is one of the most important things families can do to protect their newborns,” Dr. Rachel Joseph, pediatric hospitalist at Mount Nittany Medical Center, said in a statement. “The sleep sacks we provide are a simple and effective way to reduce blankets in the sleep environment, thus helping to reduce the risk of SIDS.”
Mount Nittany Health also offers an array of education and support programs for families before and after birth.
