Top Baby Names of 2011

The most popular names for New Zealand babies in 2011 were Ruby for a girl, and Liam for a boy.

Liam retains its top spot  in the popularity stakes according to the Office of Births, Deaths and Marriages. While Ruby moves up from third in 2010, and second in 2009.

Joshua is the second most popular boys' name (sixth in 2010 and fourth in 2009), with Oliver third (third in 2010 and second in 2009.) Lucas appears in the top five names for boys for the first time (after being 10th in 2010 and 11th in 2009.)

The top five girls' names for 2011 are the same as 2010 - just the order has changed, with Sophie - which had held top spot since 2008 - slipping to third.

There is only one "new" entry in the top 10 lists, with Noah debuting as the sixth most popular boys' name.

Here are the rankings: 

3 comments for “Top Baby Names of 2011”

• 
  VvaniaV - Tuesday, 17 April 2012 at 2:54:23 p.m.

  Im glad I choose to have names on the list as I like the fact they arent popular. I like being different from what everyone else choose's properly because my name will never feature on a top 10 list
  
• HelenMoriarty - Tuesday, 17 April 2012 at 1:50:39 p.m.

  these list are really interesting to read, but it would be great if the same names (just spelt differently) were grouped together. E.g. Lily is ont he list twice with different spellings, making it one of the top girls names
• 
  mizim - Wednesday, 4 January 2012 at 3:30:59 p.m.

  My sons name seems to make it onto the list every year, my youngest will have to wait and see. My 2yo however I doubt I will ever see her name on any top 100 name list, but I love her name and it suits her so well.