Popular baby names in New Zealand, 2012

The most popular baby names in New Zealand were announced the other day.

According to the NZ Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand’s top names last year were Olivia and Jack.

Here are New Zealand’s top 25 girl names and top 25 boy names of 2012:

Girl Names

1. Olivia
2. Sophie
3. Emily
4. Charlotte
5. Ruby
6. Isabella
7. Ella
8. Amelia
9. Sophia
10. Ava
11. Chloe
12. Isla
13. Emma
14. Mia
15. Lily
16. Grace
17. Zoe
18. Lucy
19. Eva
20. Paige
21. Hannah
22. Georgia
23. Jessica
24. Mila
25. Sienna

Boy Names

1. Jack
2. Oliver
3. William
4. Liam
5. Mason
6. Samuel
7. Jacob
8. Lucas
9. Ethan
10. Noah
11. James
12. Cooper
13. Daniel
14. Blake
15. Benjamin
16. Joshua
17. Max
18. Thomas
19. Ryan
20. Charlie
21. Jayden
22. Hunter
23. Leo
24. Tyler
25. Alexander

The name Jack has followed an interesting path in the NZ rankings. It was #1 from 2005 until 2009, sank to 4th in 2010, to 10th in 2011, and is now back in first place.

Sources: Olivia, Jack top baby names, Most Popular Male and Female First Names

Image: Adapted from Flag of New Zealand (public domain)