Olivia, Jack most popular baby names in 2012
3 January 2013
Olivia and Jack are the most popular names for girls and boys as registered with Births, Deaths and Marriages in 2012, according to details released today by the Department of Internal Affairs.
Olivia claimed the top spot for most popular girl’s name for the first time after having been a close second in recent years. Sophie (2nd place) and Ruby (last year’s top name and 5th this year) continue to be popular. Emily has made the top 3 for the first time from No 9 in 2011 and 2010.
Jack, which was the most popular boy’s name from 2005 – 2009 fell off the top 3 list in recent years and has made a comeback from 10th placing in 2011 to number 1 in 2012. Liam and Oliver continue to be a popular choice for boys’ names with William in 3rd place for the first time since 2008.
The names are recorded in a national register only. Unfortunately, we cannot provide regional breakdowns. The full list is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website:http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Births-Deaths-and-Marriages-Most-Popular-Male-and-Female-First-Names?OpenDocument
Most Popular Names 2012
Top 10 Girls’ Names (2011 place in brackets):
1 Olivia (2)
2 Sophie (3)
3 Emily (9)
4 Charlotte (5)
5 Ruby (1)
6 Isabella (4)
7 Ella (7)
8 Amelia (10)
9 Sophia (15)
10 Ava (12)
Top 10 Boys’ Names (2011 place in brackets):
1 Jack (10)
2 Oliver (3)
3 William (5)
4 Liam (1)
5 Mason (15)
6 Samuel (7)
7 Jacob (11)
8 Lucas (4)
9 Ethan (16)
10 Noah (6)
ENDS
Contact:
Chandrika Kumaran, Senior Communications Advisor
The Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua
Phone: 04 495 7291 or 027 702 7438
Email chandrika.kumaran@dia.govt.nz
