Most popular baby names of 2022 revealed

William is in the top 10 boys' names but not so this year for Harry. Photo / Isabel Pavia, 123rf, File

From RNZ

Oliver was the most popular name for boys last year.

After being in second place in 2021, Isla is back at the top for most popular girl name in New Zealand for 2022. Isla has been in the top three every year since 2016.

A total of 18,041 different first names were given to a total of 59,711 babies that were registered in 2022.

In 2021 there were 56,013 births registered in Aotearoa, with a total of 16,790 different first names.

Two new additions have made it to the top 10 girl names - Harper now sits at ninth place and Sophie at tenth.

Hudson is also new to the top 10 boy names, coming in at ninth place.

The most popular gender-neutral name for 2022 was Riley.

Top names for girls last year:

• 1. Isla
• 2. Amelia
• 3. Charlotte
• 4. Mila
• 5. Lily
• 6. Ava
• 7. Willow
• 8. Olivia
• 9. Harper
• 10. Sophie

For a decade now, Oliver has remained the most popular name for boys.

Top names for boys last year:

• 1. Oliver
• 2. Noah
• 3. Leo
• 4. Jack
• 5. Luca
• 6. Theodore
• 7. George
• 8. Charlie
• 9. Hudson
• 10. William

This year, the top Māori names will be released around the time of the celebration for Matariki in Aotearoa.

Every year, the Registrar-General, Jeff Montgomery, shares the most common baby names in New Zealand.

This information is gathered from SmartStart, a government website providing new and expectant Kiwi parents with step-by-step information and support to help them access services for them and their baby.

Registering your baby in New Zealand is an important first step in ensuring that your baby has an official identity, allowing them to access their legal rights as they grow up.

“During a time that can be overwhelming and of financial stress, the last thing new parents want to be doing is filling out a raft of forms. SmartStart is a free, fast and easy way to register your child,” Montgomery said.