Baby names - boy & girl - top 30 New Zealand names, top 30 International names, & other names, + Things to consider when choosing baby names.
Are you searching for ideas for baby names? Below, check out a list of International favourites and a list of NZ favourites in 2009.
When considering baby names there are a few things to consider - trends and traditions, nicknames and meanings. Baby names can be quite complex.
Choosing a name for your baby is not something you do at the last minute. Most parents start thinking about names from the moment they know they’re pregnant and some even have names picked out before they conceive. At the very least, there’s usually a short list of favourites to choose from once baby is born.
Parents choose a name for all sorts of reasons and often the hardest part is finding a name that both parents agree on. Some parents look for names which are purposefully unique and distinctive, while others prefer more classic or traditional titles. A new spelling of an old name is one way to get a compromise.
Usually the meaning or origin of a name is also considered, but more often as an afterthought once the name has already been ‘short listed’. Family tradition or remembering a loved one also has a part to play, particularly for middle names. Old-fashioned names are sometimes modernised so that parents can respect tradition, without landing their child with a name they’ll be embarrassed by.
Things to consider when choosing baby names
Celebrity Trends
Just like everything else, there are definite trends in naming your baby. These trends are often influenced by celebrities and major shifts happen every 5-6 years. Whether it’s a celebrity’s baby or the celebrity themselves, don’t worry too much about the namesake. Chances are the celebrity will be well and truly forgotten by the time your baby hits their teens and your child will share their name with ordinary people across the world.
Uniqueness
Some parents like names which are particularly distinct, and search out names they have never come across amongst their own community. Sometimes these names are chosen for their meanings, but often simply because of the way they sound. Some parents even create names or combine traditional names together to create something truly unique.
Giving your child a unique or distinctive name is a nice way to celebrate their identity, but be aware that as your child grows up, they may not be as grateful as you had hoped. If other children (and adults for that matter) struggle to pronounce your child’s name, then nicknames and teasing can often result.
Tradition
Some families have a name or names that have been carried down for generations. If you like the name and both you and your partner are happy to use it, by all means do so. If however the name or the tradition makes you gasp, there are ways you can keep everyone happy. Find a derivative of the traditional name that you actually like. Margaret for example could be carried on as Margo or Mariah, and James could become Jaman or Jamie.
If you really dislike the name, but would like to carry on some form of family tradition, have a look through the family tree (after naming my daughter Courtney, I discovered both sides of the family had a Courtney several generations back).
Spelling of Names
Giving a traditional name a unique spelling is a nice way to carve out your child’s identity, but be prepared for people to misspell their name their entire life, (even if they are copying it from the correctly spelled version!)
Granted, it’s not necessarily the end of the world, but if you are choosing a unique spelling so that your child can have a distinctive name, then you may want to think again. Jazmin will be called Jasmine, Jhorgia will be called Georgia, and Leigham will still be called Liam. If however you are choosing a unique spelling because you prefer the way it looks, then you should go for it. You child will get used to saying that’s with 2 r’s and i. Trust me.
Teasing Material
Like it or not kids can be cruel, and there’s little to battle with it except self confidence and resilience. Even with a perfectly plain name, there’s bound to be something else your child will be teased about, (but don’t panic about it just yet!).
When choosing a name you might want consider how it can be twisted in the playground, but don’t even try to get in the head of an 8 year old – you’ll never win. Stay away from obvious teasing taunts like initials that spell rude words, or names that rhyme with less than pleasant words, but other than that you’re better spending your energy on building self confidence and a resilient nature.
Nicknames
Nicknames are a bit of a two-edged sword. Some people believe nicknames are a term of affection, whereas others feel it’s a slur on their identity. If you don’t want your child’s name to be shortened, then you need to be directive with your friends and family. As your child grows older, you should be prepared to let them make their own decisions regarding a nickname.
Choosing a short name (or one that’s hard to shorten) can sometimes help deter nicknames, but not always. I chose my daughter's names with the ‘no nickname’ theory, but already at ages 8 and 10 their nicknames are well and truly ingrained. Courtney has been shortened to Courts, and Eden to Eeds. Go figure?
Meaning or Origin of Baby Names
The meaning or origin of a name can make it extra special, but it doesn’t have to be your first consideration. Once you’ve short-listed some favourites, you may like to check out the meanings just for curiosity sake. Finding that one of your short-list means ‘weak willed’ or ‘unfortunate lesson’, may help you with your final decision.
Follow your Heart
Without a doubt, the most important thing to consider when choosing a name for your baby is what feels right to you? Logic, tradition, trends and meanings all play a part, but when it comes to the crunch you need to follow your heart.
What are the favourite baby names in 2010?
Traditional names are making a definite come-back in New Zealand --- look at the latest releases from Births Deaths & Marriages NZ --- Emma, Ella, Sophie, Grace, Olivia, Charlotte and Emily, and William, Benjamin, Jack, Samuel, Joshua, Oliver, and James all make the respective TOP 10.
It seems kiwi parents have similar tastes to English speaking parents overseas, with most of these names making the Top 50 on international lists. Kiwi favourites Emma, Olivia and Isabella all make the International Top 10, whilst Ethan, Jacob, Matthew, Jayden, and Jack make it for the boys.
Finding just the right name is important, so we’ve tried to make it easy for you by gathering some favourite (and not so favourite) names in a whole range of categories.
Top 30 Popular - International
| Boys |
Girls |
|
1 Ethan
2 Noah
3 Jacob
4 Aiden
5 Logan
6 Jackson
7 Jack
8 Ryan
9 Jayden
10 Matthew
11 Liam
12 Joshua
13 Tyler
14 Benjamin
15 Gavin
16 William
17 Nathan
18 Lucas
19 Michael
20 Alexander
21 Mason
22 Evan
23 Dylan
24 Luke
25 Andrew
26 Caleb
27 James
28 Gabriel
29 Elijah
30 Connor
|
1 Isabella
2 Emma
3 Olivia
4 Ava
5 Sophia
6 Madison
7 Chloe
8 Abigail
9 Addison
10 Emily
11 Ella
12 Lily
13 Mia
14 Grace
15 Alexis
16 Avery
17 Samantha
18 Elizabeth
19 Hannah
20 Taylor
21 Natalie
22 Alyssa
23 Sarah
24 Riley
25 Hailey
26 Anna
27 Sydney
28 Zoe
29 Claire
30 Leah
|
Top 30 Popular - New Zealand
--- in most recent order of popularity according to Births Deaths & Marriages --- informally known as "hatch, batch & despatch" --- a division of the Department of Internal Affairs.
| Boys |
Girls |
|
1. Jack
2. James
3. William
4. Samuel
5. Joshua
6. Riley
7. Liam
8. Oliver
9. Benjamin
10. Daniel
11. Thomas
12. Jacob
13. Ethan
14. Jayden
15. Noah
16. Ryan
17. Lucas
18. Luke
19. Max
20. Hunter
21. Matthew
22. Lachlan
23. Alexander
24. Dylan
25. Connor
26. Blake
27. Tyler
28. Caleb
29. Charlie
30. George
|
1. Sophie
2. Olivia
3. Ella
4. Isabella
5. Charlotte
6. Lily
7. Emma
8. Emily
9. Jessica
10. Grace
11. Hannah
12. Chloe
13. Ruby
14. Lucy
15. Ava
16. Amelia
17. Madison
18. Maia
19. Mia
20. Holly
21. Sophia
22. Zoe
23. Paige
24. Georgia
25. Kate
26. Brooke
27. Maddison
28. Samantha
29. Sienna
30. Isla
|
Biblical
| Boys |
Girls |
|
Thomas
Ezra
Elisha
Noah
Caleb
Micah
Bartholomew
Gideon
Jaman
Jonah
|
Rebekah
Jael
Lydia
Tamara
Azaria
Kezia
Mahlah
Phoebe
Sela
Naomi
|
Other Popular Baby Names
| Surnames |
Place Names |
Gemstones |
Nature |
Unisex |
|
McKenzie
Hunter
Carter
Griffin
Quinn
Hutchin
McLean
Porter
Montgomery
Fletcher
|
Paris
Sydney
India
Venice
Chelsea
Vegas
Chad
Israel
Roma
Nevada
|
Ruby
Sapphire
Topaz
Amber
Cameo
Jasper
Kito
Crystal
Ebony
Jade
|
Leaf
Star
Skye
Heaven
Angel
Flame
Aqua
Ocean
Clover
Sage
|
Alex
Andy
Ashley
Darcy
Francis
Glenn
Piper
Rae
Robin
Taylor
|
Other categories that might get you thinking include Shakespeare, animals, plants and flowers, colours, celebrity names, cars, and emotions. If you’ve exhausted every name book and website, start reading the dictionary .... or you may need to resort to "Eeeny, meeny, miney, mo……"!
Happy hunting!
christian biblical NZ meaning meanings origin middle choosing nicknames
Useful Websites
There are several other good name sites on the internet, so if you don’t find anything you like here, check out:
www.babynames.com
Popular website, includes extensive search engine, meanings and origins.
www.babynamesworld.com
Article Baby Names written by Kerri Tilby