See the rankings: These were Colorado's most popular baby names in 2024
Some parents like to name their children after close family members or loved ones and seek more traditional names, while others try to identify unique or uncommon names that cause their children to stand out.
If you find yourself in that latter group, there are some names you may want to avoid, as they're among the most common for new babies in the United States.
Liam, for instance, was the top name for boys each year from 2019 to 2024, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration, while Olivia was the most common name selected for baby girls in each of those years.
Those two names were also the most popular in Colorado in 2024, where 423 boys were named Liam and 277 girls were named Olivia.
Here were the top 10 baby names for boys and girls in Colorado last year, and how many babies were given that name.
Top names for baby boys in Colorado in 2024
Liam (423)
Oliver (367)
Noah (341)
Henry (282)
Theodore (280)
Mateo (223)
James (205)
Owen (203)
William (191)
Jack (188)
Top names for baby girls in Colorado in 2024
Olivia (277)
Charlotte (262)
Emma (229)
Amelia (228)
Mia (223)
Sophia (203)
Isabella (198)
Evelyn (189)
Harper (161)
Hazel (159)
More Pueblo news: When does K-12 school start in Pueblo in 2025?
Chieftain Editor Zach Hillstrom can be reached at zhillstrom@gannett.com or on X, at @ZachHillstrom. Support local news; subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: These were Colorado's most popular baby names in 2024
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
How millennials ruined summer camp
This story originally appeared in , Vox's newsletter about kids, for everyone. . Summer camp is supposed to be fun. It's a place for swimming, crafts, new friendships, and learning repetitive songs that will annoy your family members well into September. What's not to like? A lot, apparently. One big reason parents are letting their children 'rot' at home this summer, according to the New York Times, is that kids complain so much about going to camp. Of course, kids have always whined about doing stuff, even stuff they basically like. But one reader, Juliana, wrote to me recently that while she enjoyed day camp as a child, 'my kid tells us every day he doesn't want to go back.' Is it possible that camp is just worse now? It's definitely different. Experts and parents alike report a shift towards ever more specialized camps — focused on everything from coding to urban farming — and toward shorter, 1- or 2-week sessions rather than camps that run the full summer. While these changes can give families more flexibility and kids a chance to pursue their interests, they can also make it more challenging to form friendships and turn camp into an extension of the high-pressure environment many kids already face during the school year. I can't say definitively whether camp is less fun than it used to be, but I did come away from my reporting with a better understanding of what kids get out of camp, what adults want them to get, and why the two don't always match up. The history of camp Summer camp in America started in the 19th century as a response to anxieties about urbanization and its effects on boys and young men. One early camp founder, Ernest Balch, complained about 'the miserable condition of boys from well-to-do families in the summer hotels,' starting his camp so that boys would have to learn to fend for themselves in nature. Early camps emphasized the character-building powers of the wilderness. As one brochure put it, 'A camp in the woods bordering on a beautiful lake, breathing the healthful, bracing air of the pines, viewing Nature in her ever-changing moods, living a free, outdoor life, and having at all times the sympathetic companionship of young men of refinement, experience, and character — is this not the ideal summer outing for a boy?' Soon, settlement houses began sponsoring camps for urban youth from poor families, and by the 1920s, camp was becoming more common across social classes, said Michael Smith, a history professor at Ithaca College who has studied summer camps. While early camps had been sleepaway camps, more day camps sprang up in the 1960s and '70s as more mothers joined the workforce and families needed summer child care. These camps were often generalized in their programming, offering activities like crafts and swimming. But in the late 20th century, camps started to become more specialized, focusing on single topics like sports, computers, or space rather than lanyards and nature walks. The shift may have been driven by families who wanted their kids to practice a specific skill at camp, rather than simply getting a taste of the outdoors, Smith said. Some camps also saw a demand for a more academic environment as anxiety around college admissions ramped up. Hollie Kissler, the director of a Portland, Oregon, day camp told Bloomberg that around 2001, parents started asking for worksheets and reading logs at camp. Campers then would have been millennials, the generation sending their kids to camp (and influencing camp offerings) today. Meanwhile, with families juggling more complicated summer schedules, more parents wanted the option of shorter camps for their kids. 'Even camps that used to have a nine-week schedule increasingly considered moving to a two-session schedule,' Leslie Paris, author of the book Children's Nature: The Rise of the American Summer Camp, told Vox earlier this summer. Today, the most common session length is one week, Henry DeHart, interim president and CEO of the American Camp Association, told me. The downsides of the modern camp experience Some fear that the trend toward shorter sessions could make it harder for campers to form friendships. Juliana, the reader who wrote to me, wondered if 1-week blocks might be less 'conducive to building community or finding your place at camp, since the cohort changes every week.' When it comes to positive developmental outcomes for kids, like building social skills and perseverance, research by the American Camp Association has shown that session length doesn't matter, DeHart said. Still, 'there's no doubt, if you have more time with folks, you can develop deeper relationships.' The trend toward specialization also has pros and cons, experts and families say. Niche camps allow kids to delve into their interests. 'My daughter loves ceramics and is very excited about her one week ceramics camp,' Melinda Wenner Moyer, a journalist and author who has written about camp, told me in an email. There are also dedicated camps for neurodivergent kids and children with disabilities, who aren't always well-served by traditional camps. Some groups even offer camps for kids who have been through particular traumatic experiences, like being burned or losing a family member, DeHart said. But when special camps are too academic or parent-driven, they can be detrimental, some say. 'I worry a little about kids who are enrolled in specialized camps because their parents want them to develop or master a particular skill,' Wenner Moyer said. 'Kids today say they often feel pressured by their parents to excel and achieve, which is not healthy for their self-esteem.' Was camp ever fun? Going to camp to bolster your future college application might be less fun than, say, splashing around in a lake. If camps have become more pre-professional than they used to be, maybe it's no surprise that kids are dragging their feet about attending. On the other hand, maybe fun has never been central to the premise of camp. Whether it's shoring up 19th-century boys' supposedly flagging masculinity or preparing kids for the rat race of late capitalism, camp has always been more about adult anxieties than about what kids actually want to do. Even the most traditional wilderness-based camps, Smith points out, were often a huge culture shock for city kids. Possibly the most famous song about camp, the 1963 classic 'Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh,' is about a camp rife with poison ivy, foodborne illness, and malaria. In fact, it's possible that fun has always been a byproduct of camp, something kids wrest from whatever structure adults try to impose upon them. The day camp I attended throughout my childhood focused on more traditional camp activities when I was a little kid (swimming, stick-gathering, arguing). But when I was around 10, it became more specialized — whether that was due to changing times or simply different programming for different age groups, I'm not sure. I ended up in 'video camp,' during which we used camcorders to make our own short films. I'm pretty sure we were supposed to produce G-rated content, but every single movie the campers made was about murder, including our group's masterpiece, the vaguely Terminator-inspired slasher flick Death Four Times Over. The following session, we were informed that no more onscreen violence would be allowed, and each film would have to have a morally uplifting message. But the damage was done. It was the most fun I ever had. What I'm reading Families of children with complex medical needs, many of whom have specialized care covered by Medicaid, fear losing their coverage now that Trump's Big Beautiful Bill has become law. Multiple children who entered the US as unaccompanied minors under humanitarian parole in the past year have received letters from the Department of Homeland Security telling them to leave the country immediately. 'Do not attempt to unlawfully remain in the United States,' one letter read. 'The Federal Government will find you.' Earlier this month, the Trump administration froze almost $7 billion in education funding, some of it going to afterschool and summer programs for low-income youth. After lawsuits and public outcry, however, the administration said it would reinstate afterschool funding. My older kid and I have been revisiting one of my childhood favorites: Calvin & Hobbes. The strip turns out to be rife with 1980s references that take some time to explain to a 7-year-old ('When I was a kid, grownups were really worried about violence on TV,' I caught myself saying). The core relationship between a child and his stuffed/obviously real tiger friend, however, needs no explanation. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
14 Reasons Why So Many Kids Turn On Their Parents As Adults
When you're a kid, your parents are like superheroes. They're the ones who bandage your scrapes and cheer you on at school plays. But as you grow up, things can get complicated. You start to see your parents as real people—not just the default authority figures in your life. For many adults, this realization can lead to a strained relationship with their folks. Here are 14 reasons why this happens. 1. Unrealistic Expectations Growing up, you might've felt the weight of your parents' expectations. Perhaps you were pushed toward a career path that didn't match your interests or abilities. This can lead to feelings of resentment, especially if you've spent years trying to meet standards that were never truly yours. According to Dr. John Duffy, a clinical psychologist, parents often unconsciously project their unmet dreams onto their kids, creating a cycle of pressure and disappointment. When you're finally old enough to set your own goals, the clash can be jarring. As an adult, you might feel the urge to rebel against these long-standing expectations. It's common to want to carve out an identity separate from what your parents envisioned for you. This divergence can cause tension, especially if your parents interpret your choices as a rejection of their values. Over time, this disconnect can lead to emotional distance, as conversations often become charged with underlying frustration. By the time you're living your own life, those expectations might be a ghost that haunts family gatherings. 2. Lack Of Emotional Support Everyone needs emotional support, especially from their parents. But sometimes, parents aren't equipped to offer the kind of emotional safety net you need. They might dismiss your feelings or be too wrapped up in their own issues to notice yours. This lack of support can create a significant emotional gap that only grows wider with time. As you become more self-reliant, the absence of this support becomes more apparent and hard to overlook. When you're young, you might not notice this missing element because you assume it's normal. But as you grow older, you start to compare your experiences with those of your peers. You notice the differences and realize what you missed out on. The emotional absence can manifest as resentment or even anger, especially if your parents are still unable to meet those needs in adulthood. This can turn into a major stumbling block in your relationship with them. 3. Differing Values As you grow up, you form your own set of beliefs and values, which can be vastly different from those of your parents. It could be about politics, religion, or lifestyle choices. Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and author, suggests that generational shifts often lead to these kinds of value differences, exacerbated by the rapid pace of societal change. When your values clash with those of your parents, conversations can quickly become awkward or heated. It's like you're speaking different languages, neither fully understanding the other. These differences can make family gatherings feel more like a debate club than a reunion. You might avoid certain topics altogether to keep the peace, but that only leads to superficial interactions. Over time, this avoidance can create a wedge of misunderstanding and distance. If neither side is willing to see the other's perspective, the gap can become insurmountable. This can leave you feeling alienated from the people who were once your closest allies. 4. Parental Control Some parents find it hard to let go, even after their children have grown up. They try to maintain control over their adult children's lives, making decisions for them or offering unsolicited advice. This can feel suffocating, especially if you're trying to establish your own identity. When parents overstep these boundaries, it can lead to a lot of friction. This constant meddling makes you question whether they truly see you as an independent adult. Feeling like you're still being parented as an adult can be frustrating and even patronizing. It diminishes your sense of autonomy and makes you feel like you can't make your own decisions. Over time, these actions can erode the trust you have in your parents, making you hesitant to share aspects of your life with them. The relationship becomes more about control than mutual respect or understanding. This ongoing power struggle can eventually lead you to distance yourself from them. 5. Unresolved Childhood Issues Childhood experiences can leave lasting marks, and unresolved issues from those years often resurface in adulthood. It could be a pattern of favoritism, neglect, or even past trauma. A study published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress found that unresolved childhood trauma often contributes to strained adult relationships, including those with parents. When these old wounds remain unaddressed, they can fester and become bigger than they originally were. You might find yourself avoiding your parents, not out of choice, but as a self-preservation tactic. These unresolved issues can create an emotional void that's difficult to fill. When discussions about the past are avoided, it only adds to the distance. Everyone involved may walk on eggshells, afraid to bring up the past because of the pain associated with it. This avoidance only makes the issues grow larger in your mind, creating more emotional distance. Until these issues are addressed, they will continue to be a barrier in your relationship with your parents. 6. Lack Of Apologies Sometimes, parents have a hard time admitting they were wrong. This could be due to pride, cultural norms, or simply not realizing the impact of their actions. When you've been hurt, an apology can be a powerful step toward healing. The absence of this acknowledgment can leave you feeling invalidated or dismissed. As an adult, this lack of accountability can make you wary of deepening the relationship. No one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. But when apologies are absent, it feels like the person responsible doesn't care about your feelings. This can be particularly painful when it involves your parents, who you expect to be your biggest supporters. The lack of an apology keeps the wound open, preventing you from moving forward. Until they recognize and acknowledge their mistakes, it can be difficult to bridge the emotional gap. 7. Communication Breakdown Healthy relationships thrive on open and honest communication. But sometimes, the lines of communication between you and your parents get crossed or even severed. Dr. Deborah Tannen, a linguistics professor, has found that family communication styles often differ, causing misunderstandings and frustration. When conversations are fraught with misinterpretations, it can lead to a breakdown in the relationship. The lack of effective communication can make simple interactions feel like a chore. Without open communication, assumptions and misunderstandings pile up. You start to feel like you're not being heard, which can lead to feelings of isolation within your own family. The absence of dialogue can create a vicious cycle where neither side feels understood, leading to even less communication. This emotional distance can be painful, especially if you long for a closer relationship with your parents. Repairing this breakdown requires effort and willingness from both sides to truly listen and understand. 8. Parenting Styles The way you were raised can have a significant impact on how you relate to your parents as an adult. Some parenting styles are more authoritarian, while others are permissive or neglectful. If you felt constricted or unsupported growing up, those feelings might linger into adulthood. These parenting styles shape your perception of your parents and can influence how you interact with them. When you start to raise your own family, these differences become even more apparent. Reflecting on your upbringing often brings mixed emotions. You may appreciate some aspects of your childhood while resenting others. If you felt smothered or ignored, those experiences can cloud your adult interactions with your parents. These deeply ingrained feelings can make it difficult to develop a balanced relationship. As an adult, you might struggle to reconcile these memories with your current experiences. 9. Financial Dependence Money can complicate even the closest of relationships. If you're financially dependent on your parents, it can create an awkward dynamic. This dependency can give them unspoken control over your life, making you feel trapped. On the flip side, if they depend on you financially, it can lead to feelings of resentment or obligation. In either scenario, financial issues often lead to tension. Dealing with financial matters can make family interactions feel transactional. Whether you owe them or they owe you, it creates a sense of imbalance. This can make it difficult to relate to your parents as equals. Discussions about money can quickly become heated, leading to arguments or feelings of inadequacy. Over time, this financial entanglement can overshadow the emotional connection you once had. 10. Unmet Needs As a child, you rely on your parents to meet your basic and emotional needs. When those needs go unmet, it can lead to feelings of neglect or abandonment. As an adult, these unmet needs can manifest as anger or resentment toward your parents. You might feel like you have to fend for yourself, even when you're with them. This can make you wary of closeness, as you may fear repeating past disappointments. As you grow older, you begin to recognize these unmet needs more clearly. You may seek to fulfill them elsewhere, but the lack of fulfillment from your parents still stings. This can lead to a sense of loss and frustration, especially when others seem to have the supportive family you wish you'd had. Over time, these unmet needs can turn into emotional scars that are difficult to heal. Until these issues are addressed, they can continue to be a barrier in your relationship with your parents. 11. Generational Gaps Generational differences can sometimes feel like you're living on separate planets. Technology, social norms, and cultural shifts can create significant divides between you and your parents. These differences can make communication challenging, as it might seem like your parents are out of touch with the modern world. The generational gap can manifest as misunderstandings and frustration on both sides. Bridging this gap requires patience and mutual respect. The world may have drastically changed since your parents were your age, and their experiences may not align with your reality. This can make it difficult for them to relate to your struggles and aspirations. As a result, you might feel misunderstood or dismissed, which can lead to feelings of isolation. Over time, these differences can create a wall of misunderstanding between you. To overcome this, both sides need to make an effort to understand each other's perspectives. 12. Past Conflicts Every family has its share of conflicts and disagreements. But unresolved past conflicts can linger and poison your relationship with your parents. These conflicts might involve sibling rivalries, parental favoritism, or other familial issues. If these conflicts aren't addressed, they can turn into long-standing grudges. This can create a toxic environment that strains your relationship over time. Unresolved conflicts often resurface at family gatherings, bringing tension to the table. Instead of enjoying each other's company, you might find yourself walking on eggshells. This can lead to a cycle of avoidance, where you choose to stay away rather than face unresolved issues. As time passes, this avoidance becomes a habit, making reconciliation even more challenging. The longer these conflicts remain unaddressed, the harder it becomes to mend the relationship. 13. Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on your relationship with your parents. Even if it's subtle, the impact can be profound and damaging. You might have endured manipulation, gaslighting, or constant criticism. These experiences can leave deep emotional scars that are difficult to heal. As an adult, you might distance yourself from your parents to protect your mental well-being. The effects of emotional abuse can seep into your adult life, affecting your self-esteem and relationships with others. It's challenging to maintain a healthy relationship with someone who has caused you emotional pain. Even if your parents don't realize the impact of their behavior, it doesn't make the damage any less real. To protect yourself, you may choose to limit contact or cut ties altogether. Healing from emotional abuse requires time, support, and, in many cases, professional help. 14. Changing Family Dynamics As you grow older, family dynamics inevitably change. New relationships, marriages, and children can shift the balance of your family structure. These changes can create tension, especially if your parents struggle to adapt to new roles and relationships. They might feel left out or irrelevant, leading to feelings of resentment or jealousy. Navigating these changes requires open communication and understanding from all parties involved. When family dynamics shift, it can feel like you're trying to find your place in a new puzzle. Your relationship with your parents might be tested as you juggle new responsibilities and priorities. This adjustment can be challenging, especially if your parents have difficulty accepting the new reality. It's important to acknowledge these changes and work together to find a new equilibrium. With time and effort, it's possible to maintain a strong relationship despite shifting family dynamics. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
It's time to shorten school holidays and end six weeks of childcare hell
My eldest son Rafferty finishes nursery this week. It feels funny writing that down because I've been in denial about it for a while. Not for any sentimental reason (though there is a touch of that) but because the arrival of the summer holidays fills me with so much panic that I've chosen, rather unwisely, to stick my fingers in my ears and pretend it's not happening. Surely a shorter school holiday would be far more manageable – for all families? In fact, 53 per cent of all parents – single, married or otherwise – surveyed by Parentkind last week would prefer that the summer break was cut to a month. Tempting, no? I've even had to mute the nursery WhatsApp group too, because it's become the holiday camp headquarters. Parents are trading secret codes, exchanging insider tips and demonstrating levels of forward planning that terrify me. For the uninitiated, these holiday camps are action-packed days of fun hosted by schools and sports clubs – and a way to enable parents to carry on working as normal-ish out of term time. Thank goodness they exist, frankly. But they do have their downsides. For starters, they are expensive, at about £250 a week. And most of them finish at 3pm – perfectly reasonable, unless you're trying not to get sacked. You usually have to pack a lunch, too, which sounds like nothing – but over half-term was somehow the straw that broke me. Add to that the co-ordination: trying to match up camps with your kid's friends, so they don't end up in a random scout hut with a bunch of strangers and a deflated parachute. Hence the WhatsApp group chatter. I really must unmute. A unique kind of pressure Dr Ally Tomlins, a consultant clinical psychologist, sees my brand of seasonal stress all the time in her clinic. 'The summer holidays are often painted as a time of joy and togetherness, but for many families they can bring a unique kind of pressure,' she says. 'The mental load on parents can become overwhelming. They're juggling logistics, childcare, work commitments, sibling squabbles and the invisible labour of trying to 'make memories' while everyone is a bit hot, tired and off-routine.' Tell me about it. Rafferty usually loves a holiday camp. His days are spent leaping on giant inflatables, playing football and larking about. On one occasion, I showed up early to surprise him and he made me promise never to do it again. But that doesn't stop the guilt. At the end of my working day, I know that I'll still be scrolling Instagram feeling bad that he isn't doing something 'immersive' with dinosaurs, petting llamas with me at the zoo or flying to Mauritius. To be fair, I haven't made things easy for myself. I'm a solo mother by choice, so I can't swap out with a co-parent, because there isn't one. The burden of six weeks without childcare falls squarely on my shoulders, and as I'm self-employed, taking time off is its own financial and logistical maze, although luckily my youngest Milo, 16 months, has year round care at his nursery. But at least I knew what I was letting myself in for; many single parents didn't. Should we make it a month? Should we actually make it a month-long break, instead of the dreaded six weeks? Although it sounds appealing to adults, it may not really be the right thing for our kids. Dr Tomlins offers her perspective. 'Children benefit hugely from unstructured time,' she says. 'Long holidays give space to decompress, play deeply and develop life skills that don't fit neatly into a school timetable. So rather than shortening the holiday outright, we might focus on how we scaffold it better, with accessible community activities, safe spaces to play, and support for parents to manage their own wellbeing.' Grandparents are increasingly part of that solution – with more than half helping out while their children are at work. SunLife Insurance estimates that they save UK parents up to £96 billion a year in childcare costs. However, mine are, ahem, cruising the Norwegian fjords as we speak for their 50th wedding anniversary. How can I begrudge them that? Plus, they are in – or approaching (before my mother disowns me) – their eighties, there's only so much I can reasonably expect them to do. Thankfully, I have an exceptional support network around me, which helps. There are neighbours and friends who'll help with drop-offs and pick-ups and who can take the kids for playdates on the days I haven't been able to shell out for 'extended hours'. That stuff is gold dust when you're working full-time, solo parenting – or both. For once, the Europeans want to be more like us Looking at our European counterparts – where 12-, 13- and even 14-week breaks (gah!) are the norm in many countries – maybe I should count my blessings. In Lombardy, where three-month summer holidays are standard, mental health appointments with parents rise by up to 40 per cent every summer compared with the rest of the year. A petition with more than 70,000 signatures was even delivered to the Italian senate demanding holidays more in line with the British system. So perhaps I'll pipe down – or at least try to chill out. 'Intentional parenting with a light touch' could also help. 'That means approaching the holidays not as something to survive or perfect, but as an opportunity to pause, reset and connect in small, meaningful ways,' says Dr Tomlins. 'Start by getting clear on your values. What do you really want your children to remember from these weeks? It's usually not the expensive outings, but the moments of playfulness, calm and feeling seen. And remember: 'Good enough is great'.' And – as every adult born pre the digital age knows, getting bored is an essential part of the summer holiday routine. Dr Tomlins adds, 'If the goal is joy and connection, you don't need to entertain your children every minute. In fact, boredom is a gateway to creativity. Give them time to be 'delightfully under-stimulated' – it supports emotional regulation and independence.' Music to my ears – now that I've removed my fingers from them. Small, spontaneous moments of playfulness feel achievable. I can feel my shoulders drop just thinking about the holidays in that way. A camp-free day here and there to spend intentional, quality time together feels like a revelation. Suddenly, I can look forward to a day off to get really involved in Rafferty's latest Lego creation or to play swingball with him in the garden. As Dr Tomlins puts it: 'Summer can bring both joy and tension. My advice is to lower the bar and raise the connection. Focus on small wins: a shared laugh; a moment of calm; a soft evening spent side by side. That's where the joy of childhood and family life really lives.' She's right, I think. Just last week, Rafferty and I did some 'gardening' together, which mostly involved him painstakingly spraying all the plants with his tiny water pistol and then sweeping up the odd leaf with a dustpan and brush. He's still talking about it now. I won't pretend I'm looking forward to every minute of the summer. I know there will be moments when I want to hide in a cupboard – and possibly will. But perhaps I'll go in with lower expectations – and that reminder from Dr Tomlins on the fridge: 'Good enough is great'. See you on the other side. Dominique Afacan's newsletter, Nesting, is on Substack Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
