Skip the NI Direct Bar
Skip navigation

Jack and Sophie top of the tots in 2011

Jack and Sophie were the most popular first names given to children whose births were registered in Northern Ireland in 2011. These findings are contained in provisional 2011 birth statistics released today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
~ Tuesday, 20 December 2011

For boys, Jack has been the most popular boys name since 2003. James has climbed from third most popular in 2010 to second most popular in 2011. Matthew is the third most popular name in 2011 climbing from fourth most popular in 2010. This year Thomas has increased in popularity to reach the top 10 from rank 13. For girls, Sophie remains the most popular girls name for the second year in a row. Grace has climbed from third most popular in 2010 to second most popular in 2011 and Emily has climbed from fourth most popular in 2010 to third most popular in 2011. Katie, which was the most popular girls name from 2004 to 2009 has fallen out of the top 10 names this year. Sophia has increased in popularity to enter the top 10 in 2011 at rank 4 from rank 29 in 2010.

Jake was the largest mover within the boys’ top 20 between 2010 and 2011, while Alfie and Riley are the only new boys’ names to enter the top 20 in 2011. Ben and Callum, which were ranked in the top 20 boys’ names in 2010, have fallen out of the top 20 in 2011. For girls, Ruby and Sophia are new to the top 20 girls’ names in 2011. Lily was the largest mover within the girls’ names top 20 between 2010 and 2011. Ava, Leah and Hannah, which were ranked in the top 20 girls’ names in 2010, have fallen out of the top 20 in 2011.

Only one of the 1975 top 10 boys’ names (James) is still in the top 10 in 2011, while none of the top 10 girls’ names from 1975 appear in the 2010 top 10 list. Over the last decade, parents have become more diverse in the first names they have given to their babies. In 2011, there were approximately 2,200 girls’ and 1,600 boys’ names used; compared with 1,600 girls' and 1,000 boys' names in 2001.

First names like Jack and Sophie are popular for new mothers across all age groups, while Tyler and Mia are increasingly popular amongst younger mothers. In contrast more traditional names such as Michael and Sarah are more popular with older mothers.

Notes to editors:

  1. These results are based on an analysis of the first names recorded on births registered between 1 January 2011 and 11 December 2011 with the General Register Office, Northern Ireland. The analysis is carried out on births to both resident and non-resident mothers registered within the above time period.
  2. Different spellings of a name have been treated as separate names, e.g. while there were 169 boys named Conor (ranked 9th), another 46 boys had the alternate spelling Connor which was ranked 71st. Names containing accents have been recorded in this press release without those accents, e.g. Séan is recorded as Sean. Names of equal rank have been placed in alphabetical order.
  3. Today NISRA also published the full name lists for all birth registrations, including birth counts, for the registration years 1997 to 2010. A provisional list of the names registered in 2011 has also been published. These can be found on the NISRA website. The full list of boys’ and girls’ names registered in 2011 will be available in summer 2012 alongside the 2011 First Names Bulletin.
  4. Corresponding information for Scotland has been published today by the National Records of Scotland and can be found on the General Register Office for Scotland website. The Office for National Statistics produce equivalent information for England and Wales.
  5. Media enquires should be addressed to the Department of Finance and Personnel Communications Office on Tel: 028 9016 3388 or 028 9016 3389. Out of Office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
  6. Further statistical information can be obtained from NISRA Customer Services: Telephone: 028 9034 8160, Fax: 028 9034 8161 or Email: census.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk Responsible Statistician: Dr David Marshall.