What’s in a name?
A lot, apparently, as British Columbians seek out more traditional names for their newborns.
This week the Vital Statistic’s Agency released its preliminary baby name statistics for 2018, showing that the name Liam was the top choice for parents the past year, beating out Olivia, the most popular baby name in 2017.
Other popular names after Liam and Olivia in 2018 were Emma, Lucas and Oliver, according to the agency.
For six of the past seven years, Olivia has been the favourite name for girls born in British Columbia. So far in 2018, that name leads the list for girls, followed by Emma, Amelia, Charlotte, Chloe, Ava, Sophia, Isla, Emily and Hannah. Isla is new to the list this year.
For boys, after Liam, the top choices for boys born in B.C. in 2018, in order, are Lucas, Oliver, Benjamin, Ethan, Noah, Logan, William, James and Leo.
In 2017, Benjamin was the most popular boy’s name in B.C., followed by Liam, Logan, Lucas, a tie for fifth between Ethan and James, then Oliver, Noah, William and Owen.
Olivia was the number one girls' name in 2017, followed by Emma, Sophia, a tie between Ava and Charlotte, then Emily, Chloe, Hannah, Amelia and Abigail.
Only names whose frequency occurs five or more times are listed.
Another interesting note in the year — there were fewer babies born in 2018, roughly a 10% drop.
In 2018, there were 40,565 babies born in B.C. in 2018 — 19,821 girls and 20,744 boys. That’s down from 44,694 babies born in B.C. in 2017, 21,727 girls and 22,967 boys.
