THE State’s annual list of the top 50 most popular boys’ and girls’ names for 2013 has been published, with Jack and Olivia number one among Western Australian parents.
Attorney General Michael Mischin said records from the WA Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages showed that the most popular girl’s name for 2013 remained a close call between the number one and two spots from 2012.
“In 2013, the name Olivia was the most popular with Charlotte coming in second, a reversal from the 2012 results,” Mr Mischin said.
“The number three position was taken out by Ava after it climbed from ninth spot in 2012.
“Jack, the most popular boy’s name from 2008 to 2010, has hovered in the top three for the last couple of years, but managed to once again secure the number one spot in 2013.
“The second most popular boys name for 2013 was Oliver, and 2012’s top name Noah, slipped to third in 2013.”
There were 34,748 births registered in WA in 2013, a 2.4 per cent increase on the 2012 figure of 33,920.
Spelling varied according to individual taste, with 128 Jaxons and 94 Jacksons; 202 Noahs and two Noas; and 98 Jaydens and four Jaidens.
Girls names revealed similar variations with 62 Madisons, 49 Maddisons and 41 Addisons; 177 Ellas, 139 Isabellas, 61 Isabelles, 20 Isabels, 16 Isobels, eight Izabellas, two Belles, 51 Bellas, four Mabels; 11 Annabellas, 46 Annabelles, four Anabelles, 15 Annabels and 10 Arabellas; and 148 Amelias and 47 Amelies.
The Attorney General said choosing a name was the first stage in forming a child’s official identity.
“It’s interesting to see what the current trends are among parents, to see what new contenders there are and to watch old favourites re-emerge,” he said.
“Kim Kardashian and Kanye West caused a stir last year when they named their baby daughter North, but this was not a trend among WA parents, with no registrations for girls under the name.
“The birth of Prince George last July may have inspired some of the 64 Western Australian parents to choose this name for their newborn sons.
“Whatever the choice parents make, registering a birth and obtaining a certificate is an essential step for the child’s future.”
The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages also registered 12,887 marriages and 13,628 deaths in 2013.
The 2013 lists are available on the Births, Deaths and Marriages website at bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au
