The most popular baby names in Pa. and N.J.

For the first time in 50 years, a new name was the top choice for baby boys born in New Jersey last year.

Liam was the most popular name for baby boys in the state in 2015, according to Social Security Administration data released Thursday.

It was the first time since since 1964, when John was the most common name, that Michael didn't rank first on the state's list, an unusually long stretch for one name to remain the most popular.

Liam has been steadily climbing in popularity in New Jersey, rising from 68th a decade ago to 27th in 2011, 14th in 2012, fifth in 2013 and 4th in 2014.

For baby girls born in New Jersey, Emma was the most-popular name in 2015. Emma ranked third for baby girls in the state in 2014, when Sophia was new parents' top choice. But Emma's place among the most-common names has been steady: In the past decade, it's been in the top 10 every year except 2006, when it ranked 12th.

In Pennsylvania in 2015, Mason was the most common name for boys and Olivia for girls.

It was the fifth year in a row Mason was the most popular boys' name in Pennsylvania. The name jumped from 23rd in 2009 to third in 2009, and has claimed the top spot every year since.

Olivia, second on the 2014 list, surpassed Emma, which had been most-popular since 2012. But Olivia has been consistently popular: It's been among the top five names for girls in Pennsylvania since 2003.

Nationally, Noah, Liam and Mason were tops for boys and Emma, Olivia and Sophia for girls, according to the SSA.

Here are the top 10 names for babies born in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in 2015. (Parenthesis indicate number of babies born with each name):

Pennsylvania boys

1. Mason (790)

2. Liam (757)

3. Noah (714)

4. Michael (626)

5. Jacob (624)

6. Logan (601)

7. Benjamin (585)

8. Carter (564)

9. James (550)

10. Lucas (538)

Pennsylvania girls

1. Olivia (780)

2. Emma (761)

3. Ava (720)

4. Sophia (593)

5. Isabella (528)

6. Mia (484)

7. Abigail (473)

8. Charlotte (458)

9. Avery (426)

10. Emily (419)

New Jersey boys

1. Liam (569)

2. Michael (539)

3. Jacob (531)

4. Noah (508)

5. Mason (500)

6. Matthew (481)

7. Joseph (480)

8. Dylan (472)

9. Anthony (460)

10. Daniel (453)

New Jersey girls

1. Emma (532)

2. Isabella (518)

2. Sophia (518)

4. Olivia (503)

5. Mia (488)

6. Ava (463)

7. Emily (400)

8. Abigail (365)

9. Madison (360)

10. Charlotte (313)