New Zealand’s top Maori baby names of 2013 were announced last month.
According to the Department of Internal Affairs and the Maori Language Commission (Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori), the country’s most popular Maori names of 2013* were Aria and Nikau.
Here are the top 20 Maori girl names and Maori boy names of 2013:
| Girl Names | Boy Names |
|---|---|
| 1. Aria 2. Maia 3. Ariana 4. Anahera 5. Anika 6. Aroha 7. Kora 8. Tia 9. Kaia 10. Ana 11. Ria 12. Tiare 13. Mereana 14. Nia 15. Tui 16. Wikitoria 17. Hinewai 18. Mahi 19. Terina 20. Mareikura | 1. Nikau 2. Ari 3. Wiremu 4. Niko 5. Tamati 6. Hemi 7. Nikora 8. Te Ariki 9. Rawiri 10. Tane 11. Mikaere 12. Manaia 13. Kahu 14. Tangaroa 15. Kauri 16. Ariki 17. Manaaki 18. Tama 19. Ihaia 20. Matiu |
This is the second-ever official list of popular Maori names, and it’s very different from the first list (2012). Notably, half of the girl names and nearly half of the boy names above are brand new. Two of the newbie boy names, Ari and Niko, now rank 2nd and 4th respectively.
The only Maori name on the list of popular baby names in New Zealand (top 25 of 2013) is Aria, ranked 24th.
*Actually, they’re the top Maori names given during the “2012-2013 financial year,” so, between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2013.
Source: Maori Language Week: Top Maori boys’ and girls’ names
Image: Adapted from Flag of New Zealand (public domain)
