Olivia, Noah remain at the top Alberta’s baby names list in 2020

Jun 29, 2021 | 10:39 AM

For the eighth consecutive year, Olivia was the most popular name given to newborn girls in 2020, while Noah was the most popular boys’ name for the second year in a row.

Service Alberta says there were 49,030 babies born in 2020, 25,160 boys and 23,870 girls. The name Noah was given to 239 of those boys and Olivia to 236 of the girls.

Olivia has been the most popular girl name for eight years running, which is the longest name popularity stretch for girls, with Jessica coming in at second with six years (1990-1995). The record for longest consecutive time period for name popularity is held by Ethan at nine years (2001-2009).

Rounding out Alberta’s list for the top five most popular girl names in 2020 was Emma (184), Charlotte (161), Ava (159) and Sophia (151).

Meantime the most popular boys names included Oliver (229), Liam (206), Benjamin (182) and William (178).

Service Alberta also notes that Isla appeared in the top 10 list of girl names for the first time with 133 (seventh on the list), as did Theodore (eighth) and Levi (ninth) on the boys side with 159 and 153 respectively.

The province also says positivity appeared to be a theme when it came to baby names in 2020. Hope, Joy, Peace, Faith, Charity, Happy and Brave all appeared on the list of registered baby names, though none of them reached the top 10 lists.

The list of top baby names, as well as overall birth statistics, may change slightly in the months to come as parents have up to one year to register their child’s birth.

by Liam Verster