State by state risers in 2025
Every year the national top 100 tells a neat headline, but the real action starts in the states. A name often heats up locally months before it shows in the national list. This guide scans each state and territory for climbers and near break-ins in 2025, explains the style forces behind them, and offers smart swaps if you want the vibe without picking the same name as everyone at playgroup.
How we read the data
We compared this year’s state lists with last year, then looked at two things:
- which names rose the most positions inside each state top 100, and
- which names jumped sharply in the 101 to 200 zone and look set to crack the top 100 next.
Where spelling twins made sense to group, we considered the sound rather than micro differences in letters. Think Lainey and Laney, or Finley and Finlay. The aim is to reflect what parents and teachers hear.
New South Wales
What rose: NSW rewards soft endings and nickname energy. Think girls with ie or y finishes and boys with open vowels that feel easy to shout across a park. Fresh global picks with clear vowels are also nudging up.
Why NSW: Large, diverse population means trends move quickly once they catch. Child care and school communities spread word of mouth fast.
On trend without crowding:
- If you like the nickname-as-official lane, try Hallie or Lottie vibes with a calmer twin like Nell or Elsie.
- For boys in the Leo-Theo-Arlo pocket, consider Cleo for girls as a sibling echo, or Nico for a unisex friendly feel.
Watch list to break in next year: light nature names, gentle biblical classics, and French-leaning melodies.
Victoria
What rose: Vintage comfort-core is strong in Victoria. Gentle grandparent names with crisp nicknames are moving up for both boys and girls. At the same time, sleek modern surname-style picks are gaining ground for boys.
Why VIC: The state leans toward classic taste with a design-forward ear. Parents balance heritage with minimalist sound.
On trend without crowding:
- For vintage girls, look near Mabel and Ada to finds like Alma or Etta.
- For boys, if you like the surname flavour, try Lawson or Fletcher energy but consider Fraser or Spencer for a slightly cooler path.
Watch list: understated botanicals and short two-syllable antiques ready for revival.
Queensland
What rose: Sunny, breezy names with cheerful rhythm. Short names that feel outdoorsy are climbing for both genders. Nicknames as legal names are particularly strong.
Why QLD: The friendly, casual voice of the state suits short names that feel relaxed at sport, beach and school.
On trend without crowding:
- If you like Frankie or Millie, try Billie, Edie or Romy.
- For boys near the surfy zone, look at Jett and Taj neighbours like Cove or Reef-adjacent sounds with softer endings.
Watch list: upbeat unisex options and coastal nature words with obvious spelling.
Western Australia
What rose: WA shows a split personality that works beautifully. You get earthy nature and astro picks on one side and sharp modern choices on the other. Boys’ names ending in o continue to do well.
Why WA: Strong outdoors culture plus a taste for clean, modern shapes in sound.
On trend without crowding:
- For nature girls beyond Ivy and Willow, consider Fern, Olive or Mara-adjacent tones.
- For boys in the o lane beyond Leo and Theo, look to Ivo, Cosmo or Rocco if you want more punch.
Watch list: celestial and botanical names that are familiar but not saturated.
South Australia
What rose: SA quietly champions elegant classics. You see steady lifts for traditional names with a soft modern edge. Some vintage boys that felt dusty five years ago are fresh again.
Why SA: Smaller population with strong community networks lets thoughtful picks rise without overexposure.
On trend without crowding:
- If you like Esther or Clara style, try Cora or Sybil for a rarer turn.
- For boys, the Arthur-Walter lane pairs nicely with Cecil or Rufus if you want something distinctive yet gentle.
Watch list: polite Edwardian girls and pre-war boys with tidy nick options.
Tasmania
What rose: Tassie often gets ahead of the curve on whimsical nature and cottage-core. You also see playful yet grounded nickname choices.
Why TAS: Tight knit communities and a strong creative streak. Parents lean literary, botanical and vintage.
On trend without crowding:
- Beyond Juniper, look to Maple or Flora.
- For boys, if Bodhi feels common, consider Rowan or Alder for a forest feel.
Watch list: soft green names, gentle stones and gems, and lyrical two-syllable vintage girls.
Australian Capital Territory
What rose: ACT favours global-friendly names that travel cleanly between accents. You also see polished modern options that read well on a CV.
Why ACT: International mix and policy town energy reward clarity and cross-border ease.
On trend without crowding:
- For girls, sleek choices near Elodie can be Noemi or Amaya.
- For boys, look at Adrian and Damian neighbours if you want classic-plus.
Watch list: vowel-led names with simple spelling and positive meanings across languages.
Northern Territory
What rose: NT shows a practical bent with strong, simple sounds and rising interest in nature and place. Unisex picks do well.
Why NT: Outdoor lifestyle and multicultural mix, with an ear for names that are tough, short and easy to yell from a utes tray or a sports sideline.
On trend without crowding:
- For unisex lines near Remy or Darcy, consider Marlo or Sunny.
- For grounded boys, try Beau-adjacent names like Cruz or Wade if you like short and punchy.
Watch list: bright-weather words, water names and simple consonant-vowel pairs.
Five style engines powering the risers
- Nick-as-official: Friendly from day one, matches Australia’s casual tone.
- Soft endings: ie and a for girls, o and open vowels for boys. Easy to say, easy to spell.
- Vintage comfort-core: Grandparent names with calm energy and crisp nicknames.
- Nature and astro: Grounded, optimistic and great with short Aussie surnames.
- Global-friendly: Clear vowels and gentle consonants that travel well.
How to choose a state-smart name
- Check local rank, not just national. If your state shows a sharp rise, consider a cousin with the same feel.
- Run the coffee test. Say the name once. If a barista would spell it correctly, you have everyday clarity.
- Pair bold with calm. A strong first name balances nicely with a classic middle.
- Think sibling set. Repeat a rhythm or ending, not the whole sound. Leo with Cleo is cute, but Leo with Mira spreads the music better.
- Time the curve. Rising is fine. If a name is already peaking locally, step one lane to the side.
Predictions for 2026 by state
- NSW: more ie-ending girls and vowel-led boys, plus a few sleek French-leaning girls.
- VIC: vintage girls deepen, modern surname boys keep edging up.
- QLD: breezy unisex picks and coastal nature keep climbing.
- WA: o-ending boys stay strong, astro botanicals continue.
- SA: elegant classics, especially for boys, grow quietly.
- TAS: cottage-core botanicals and lyrical vintage girls hold momentum.
- ACT: globally neutral names with clear vowels rise.
- NT: short, sturdy names and upbeat unisex options expand.
Watching state lists is the easiest way to stay ahead of the national wave. If a name is warming up where you live, consider a near neighbour with the same charm and you will keep the feel while dodging the crowd.