Jack has been the most popular boys' name for the last six years and Katie the most popular girls' name for the last five.
For boys, Jack has been the most popular boys’ name since 2003. Matthew has returned to the top two after being forced to third place last year and Daniel has climbed from fourth most popular name in 2007 to third most popular in 2008. 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 has moved to second most popular name in 2008 forcing Grace to third place in 2008.
Names increasing in popularity include Lewis, which is the only new boys’ name to enter the top twenty in 2008 at rank 19. For girls, Jessica moved the most within the top twenty, from rank 13 in 2007 to rank 4 in 2008.
Only one of the 1975 top ten boys’ names (James) is still in the top ten in 2008, while none of the top ten girls’ names from 1975 appear in the 2008 top ten list. Over the last decade, parents have become more diverse in the first names they have given to their babies. In 2008, there were approximately 2,000 girls’ and 1,500 boys’ names used; compared with 1,500 girls' and 1,000 boys' names in 2001.
Notes to Editors:
- A copy of the full list which details the top twenty most popular boys’ and girls’ names in 2008 is available online. A full list of the 100 most popular boys’ and girls’ names in 2007 can also be obtained from this web address.
- These results are based on an analysis of the first names recorded on births registered between 1 January 2008 and 7 December 2008 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.
- Only the first name was used for this analysis. Different spellings of a name have been treated as separate names, eg while there were 176 boys named Conor (ranked 7th), another 49 boys had the alternate spelling Connor which was ranked 74th. Names containing accents have been recorded without those accents, eg Séan was recorded as Sean. Names of equal rank have been placed in alphabetical order.
- Media inquiries should be directed to DFP Press Office Telephone: 028 9052 7374 Fax: 028 9052 7149.
- 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
