If you're embarking on the beautiful journey of parenthood this year and seeking inspiration for the perfect name for your little one, Statistics Canada has unveiled the most popular baby names for 2022.
For the seventh consecutive year, Olivia has secured the coveted title of the most popular name for baby girls in Canada in 2022, while Noah claimed the top spot as the most common name for baby boys.
Hot on Olivia's heels, the name Emma continued its long-standing rivalry for the first-place position. On the boys' side of the spectrum, Liam claimed the second place position.
While Olivia and Noah remained steadfast in their reign, the list of top baby names for both girls and boys saw some familiar faces. For girls, names like Charlotte, Amelia, Sophia, Chloe, Mia, Ava, Lily, and Mila rounded out the top 10. On the boys' side, William, Leo, Theodore, Oliver, Benjamin, Thomas, Lucas, and Jack secured the top spots.
However, the report unveiled more than just the usual suspects. It highlighted an interesting trend—Canada's baby names are becoming increasingly diverse. In 2022, a total of 44,545 different names were given to newborns, marking a remarkable 31% increase from three decades prior. What's even more striking is that a whopping 86% of these names belonged to fewer than five children, highlighting a growing penchant for unique and rare monikers.
The report also brought to light the remarkable rise of certain names in popularity. Among boys, Leon made a significant leap, climbing 32 spots within a single year, from the 118th position to the 86th. Similarly, the girls' name Wren also experienced a notable ascent, moving up 31 places from the 114th spot to the 83rd. Notably, both Leon and Wren made their debut appearances in the top 100 names for the first time. They were joined by Leon, Jules, Milo, and Weston, all newcomers who have found their place in the ever-evolving tapestry of Canadian baby names.
While Olivia and Noah may have retained their crowns as the most popular names for Canadian babies in 2022, it's clear that Canadian parents are embracing a wide array of choices, celebrating individuality, and crafting meaningful names for the next generation.
