Sofia and Martí lead Catalonia's baby name rankings for first time

Sofia and Martí were Catalonia's most popular baby names in 2024, both topping the ranking for the first time, according to statistics published by Idescat on Friday.

The 432 baby Sofias pushed the Júlias and Martinas into second and third, with 396 and 349 babies respectively.

Júlia and Martina were the top names chosen for baby girls for over a decade: first Martina, then Júlia – which was the most popular between 2017 and 2022 – and in 2023, Martina once again.

Martí was the name chosen for 352 baby boys, making it the most popular ahead of Biel, (346) and Marc (344).

Marc had held the top spot for over a quarter of a century until 2022. In 2023, it dropped to seventh place but has now returned to the podium.

Girls' names 

Sofia had been gaining popularity in recent years in Catalonia, but in 2024 it broke into the top spot directly, after years in which Júlia and Martina had reigned as the favorite names for parents.

Ona, Mia, and Emma made it to the podium in recent years and are now in fourth, fifth, and eighth place, respectively. Between them are Gala, in sixth place, and Olívia, in seventh.

Boys' names

Martí is the most popular name for the first time, followed by Biel and Marc. Leo, which dethroned Marc in 2022, is now in fourth place, followed by Nil, Mateo, Àlex, Jan, Pau, and Pol. Jan has dropped to eighth place after topping the ranking in 2023.

Fertility rates

Fertility rates in Catalonia continue to reach historic lows, with an average of 1.08 children per woman in 2024, the lowest figure since records began in 1975.

Last year, 53,793 babies were born in Catalonia, the lowest birth rate since 1952.