She appeared at Bellevue’s Overlake Hospital just two minutes after midnight, winning baby Sirpa a coveted spot in the annals of King County history: New Year’s Baby 2025.
Baby Sirpa (with her Bellevue resident parents) arrived at Overlake Medical Center at 12:02 a.m. on January 1. Photo courtesy Overlake.
Sirpa—and all babies born between 2025 and 2039—will be members of a new generation—Generation Beta. According to reports, Gen Beta will make up 16% or more of the global population by 2035 and have a high chance of greeting the next century (little Sirpa and others born this year will be 76 in 2101).
Sirpa’s parents, who live in Bellevue and were not identified by name by Overlake, welcomed the 7.9-pound baby at 12:02 a.m. When she heads home, she’ll be greeted by one sibling.
Seattle’s New Year’s babes
In Seattle, Providence Swedish First Hill welcomed one of the city’s first babies of the new year with the arrival of Wilder Oak Belcher. After only one hour of labor, Wilder was born hale and healthy at 12:47 a.m. on New Year’s morning. He weighed in at 8.54 pounds.
Wilder is the second child of Mary and Bill Belcher of West Seattle, who reported that the labor went smoothly—with only a minute between contractions, their son’s arrival was its own New Year’s countdown for them and Swedish staff.
Jheneah Elowyn Horner arrived at Swedish Edmonds at 12:22 a.m. on January 1. She’s the first child of Lynnwood’s Amber-Lynne Rickett and Steffen Horne. Photo courtesy Providence Swedish Edmonds
What’s in a name
The Providence Swedish system was on a baby roll in the first hour of January 2025. A 7.2-pound baby girl named Jheneah Elowyn Horne arrived at its Edmonds birth center at 12:22 a.m. She’s the first child of Lynnwood’s Amber-Lynne Rickett and Steffen Horne.
According to her parents, Jheneah Elowyn is also the first grandchild and great-grandchild on both sides of the family.
Amber-Lynne Rickett told hospital staff: “Jheneah’s middle name, Elowyn, was inspired by a beautiful baby who, unfortunately, lost their battle with cancer. This story was so astonishing that I couldn’t help but fall in love with the name. It will constantly remind us to stay kind and thankful for blessings in life.”
Jessica (and Darian, not picture) welcomed baby daughter Rylee Louise at UW Medical Center – Northwest on January 1. Photo courtesy UW Medical Center – Northwest Instagram
UW’s first
UW Medical Center —Northwest also shouted out on social media after the arrival of its first baby of 2025: “Congratulations to Jessica and Darian on the birth of their baby daughter, Rylee Louise, who was the first baby born at UW Medical Center – Northwest in 2025!”
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