NI's most popular baby names revealed
If you called your newborn James, Noah or Grace last year then you aren't alone
Last updated 24th Jul 2019
James, Noah and Grace were the most popular first names given to babies in Northern Ireland, for births registered in 2018.
But the Baby Names 2018 statistics published today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency also throw up a few surprises.
Since official annual reporting of baby names began in 1997, this is the second time that Grace has been the most popular girls’ name, a position held jointly with Emily in 2013. James has been the most popular boys’ name in each of the past four years, joined by Noah this year for the first time, while Leo alsojoined the boys’ top 10.
Within the boys’ top 100, the highest climbers in popularity between 2017 and 2018 were Tommy, Theo and Hunter.
While the popularity of boys’ names has varied over the years, James is the only name to have stood the test of time, featuring in both the 2018 top 10 and the top 10 in 1978. Axl, Blaze, Hendrix, Phoenix and Wolf on the other hand, were some of the less common names given to baby boys in 2018.
For girls Emily has fallen from the top place in 2017 to take second in 2018, with Olivia remaining in third position for the third consecutive year. Within the girls’ top 100, the highest climbers in popularity between 2017 and 2018 were Rosie, Sadie and Saoirse.
Some of the less common names given to baby girls in 2018 were Disney, Hermione, Moana, Storm and Zandaya.
There were around 23,000 births in Northern Ireland last year with almost 4000 names registered. 900 of those monikers had never been used before. NISRA says blockbuster movies, popular television series, current celebrities and memorable places continue to appear to be influencing factors for some parents.
Top 10 baby names in Northern Ireland, 2018
Boys:
Girls:
You can see where you or your baby's name ranks on the list here.
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