Jack and Katie still top of the tots in 2009

Jack and Katie were the most popular first names given to children whose births were registered in Northern Ireland in 2009.

These findings are contained in provisional 2009 birth statistics released today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). Jack has been the most popular boys’ name for the last seven years and Katie the most popular girls’ name for the last six.

For boys, Jack has been the most popular boys’ name since 2003. Matthew remains as the second most popular name while James has climbed from fifth most popular in 2008 to share third place with Daniel in 2009. For girls, Katie entered the top ten most popular names in 2002, becoming the most popular name in 2004, where it has remained since then. Sophie and Grace remain the second and third most popular names respectively in 2009.

Jake and Oliver are the only new boys’ names to enter the top 20 in 2009 both moving from rank 21 in 2008 to ranks 20 and 17 respectively in 2009. For girls Erin was the largest mover within the girls’ names top 20 in 2009 rising from rank 11 in 2008 to rank 5 in 2009, while Aimee moved from rank 30 in 2008 to rank 20 in 2009.

Only one of the 1975 top ten boys’ names (James) is still in the top ten in 2009, while none of the top ten girls’ names from 1975 appear in the 2009 top ten list. Over the last decade, parents have become more diverse in the first names they have given to their babies. In 2009, there were approximately 2,000 girls’ and 1,400 boys’ names used; compared with 1,500 girls' and 1,000 boys' names in 2001.

First names like Jack and Katie are popular for new mothers across all age groups. However more modern names such as Dylan and Brooke are increasingly popular amongst younger mothers. In contrast more traditional names such as Oliver and Sarah are more popular with older mothers.

Notes to editors:

1. A copy of the full Press Release which details the top twenty most popular boys’ and girls’ names in 2009 as well as a geographical analysis is available at the NISRA website.
2. A full list of the 100 most popular boys’ and girls’ names in 2008 can be obtained from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency website at NISRA website.
3. These results are based on an analysis of the first names recorded on births registered between 1 January 2009 and 10 December 2009 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.
4. Only the first name was used for this analysis. Different spellings of a name have been treated as separate names, e.g. while there were 157 boys named Conor (ranked 10th), another 36 boys had the alternate spelling Connor which was ranked 85th. Names containing accents have been recorded without those accents, e.g. Séan is recorded as Sean. Names of equal rank have been placed in alphabetical order.
5. Media inquiries should be directed to DFP Press Office:
   Telephone: 028 9052 7374
   Fax: 028 9052 7149
6. Further statistical information can be obtained from NISRA Customer Services:
   Telephone: 028 9034 8160
   Fax: 028 9034 8161
   E-mail: census.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk