Top 20 baby names in Northern Ireland last year revealed
Who do you reckon came out on top?
A recent study published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency has revealed that James and Grace took the top spot for 2022 births here.
In fact, Grace has held the top spot as the most popular girls’ name since 2018 and has appeared in the top 3 most popular names for 17 consecutive years.
Jack was a close second to James, after reaching the top spot last year. Noah returned to third place, where it was in 2019 and 2020, after reaching second place last year.
Oisin also entered the boys’ top 10 in 2022 for the first time since the recording of first names began in 1997.
Birth registrations in 2021 included 950 baby names that had not been used before.
Blockbuster movies, popular television series, current celebrities and memorable places continue to appear to be influencing factors for some parents.
Check out 2022’s most popular NI baby names 👇
Girl Names
Grace – 168 Babies
Emily – 152 Babies
Fiadh – 148 Babies
Olivia – 141 Babies
Isla – 118 Babies
Aoife – 113 Babies
Lily – 110 Babies
Annie – 97 Babies
Evie – 94 Babies
Freya – 94 Babies
Boy Names
James – 175 Babies
Jack – 169 Babies
Noah – 146 Babies
Theo – 132 Babies
Charlie – 131 Babies
Oliver – 123 Babies
Oisin – 119 Babies
Harry – 118 Babies
Cillian – 111 Babies
Thomas – 107 Babies
One of Northern Ireland most unique qualities is the fact you don't have to travel too far to find someone you know or have a relation with.
Research carried out by Forebears - an online genealogy portal - took a look into the past, to find out which names come out on top and what they actually mean.
Did your surname makes the cut?
Campbell is a Scottish and Irish surname, derived from the Gaelic roots cam (crooked) and beul (mouth)
The name Wilson is derived from the personal name William
The surname Kelly was first found in southwest Ireland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times
This surname is derived from the given name John and tone or toun - literally meaning John's town
Brown is an English-language surname in origin, believed to have used to describe of a person with brown hair or clothing
Smith was an alternative name for a man who works with metal - blacksmith
The Moore surname is believed to derive from the Gaelic meaning great, chief, mighty or proud
Meaning descendant of Niall, a personal name of Irish origin, thought to mean champion
Originally a viking name, Thompson translates into son of Thom, Thomp or Thompkin
Another name given to a guardian or warden
Murphy is of Irish and Gaelic origin, and the meaning is sea warrior
According to some sources the name translates into a grey home, or gravel homestead
The name Martin comes from the Latin name Martinus, which is a derivative of Mars, who was the Roman god of fertility and war
The meaning of Quinn is counsel
Again, this name translates literally to son of Robin
Clarke was originally the name given to a person who concerned himself with matters of scholarly importance or of religious orders or as a secretary
The original Gaelic form of the name Doherty is O Dochartaigh, from the word "dochartach," which means unlucky
Hamilton is believed to mean treeless hill or home
The name could have occupational connections, as in the name for a bell ringer. But it could also hail from France, in other words 'belle' meaning beautiful
The Irish meaning of Hugh is mind and/or intellect
The name Donnelly derives from the words 'donn' which means brown, and 'gal' which means valor
The meaning of Murray is lord and master
McCann is an Irish surname derived from Mac Cana, meaning son of Cana. The Irish personal name Cana literally means wolf cub, and was a term for a young warrior
Again, the descendant of the metal worker
Descendant of Cathan - a diminutive from war and battle
The literal meaning translates to son of Lochlann
This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor, meaning yellow
Scott simply translate to painted warrior and wanderer
The Gaelic translation reads son of the strong man
This surname is derived from a nickname - the red
Kennedy comes from the Gaelic word chieftain - a leader of a clan or tribe
This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor 'the son of Andrew'
Burns was the surname given to someone who lived near 'at the burn' which is nowadays known as a stream
The Irish translation reads, the son of Eoghan (wellborn), or of Eoin (gracious gift of Jehovah).
Of ancient Gaelic origin, Gallagher derives from the word 'gallchobhar', meaning 'foreign help'
Read more:
11 Northern Ireland places that are often mispronounced
Picture This announce SSE Arena show & new album
Have you tried the air fried creme egg trend? 🥰