The registrar-general of Births, Deaths and Marriages said more than 12,000 unique first names are registered for children born each year. Photo / Thinkstock
The registrar-general of Births, Deaths and Marriages said more than 12,000 unique first names are registered for children born each year. Photo / Thinkstock
Some baby names are just timeless - 100 years on, they are still popular. But according to figures released yesterday by the Department of Internal Affairs, there are only a few of the old vintage left.
Just two names, James and William, feature in New Zealand's top 10 in both 1915 and 2015.
Mary and John were the two most popular a century ago, while Charlotte and Oliver are the names of choice for babies born this year.
It was the second year in a row that Oliver claimed the top boys' spot, after also finishing second to Jack in 2012.
Mary did not make it into the 2015 top 100, however, and John was all the way down at 86. In 1915 Charlotte was at 98 and Oliver did not rate in the top 100.
Other names preferred in 1915 included Kathleen, Edna and Phyllis - replaced this year by the likes of Sophie, Amelia and Harper.
Charlotte, Sophie and Olivia continue to be popular choices for girls' names, with Olivia last claiming top spot in 2012.
The registrar-general of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Jeff Montgomery, said more than 12,000 unique first names are registered for children born each year.
Murray Yeoman and wife Amy named their son Charles after the boy's great-grandfather.
When Auckland couple Murray and Amy Yeoman named their first-born child Charles, they had no idea how "retro" they were being.
"We thought it was quite a common name," Mr Yeoman said of their choice for their 19-month-old son, more often called Charlie. "But now he is at kindergarten, we have found it is not that usual."
Great-grandfather Charles Taylor who fought in World War II.
Although Charles was one of the country's top 10 names for babies born a century ago, in 1915, it is off the charts in today's ranking.
However, the Yeomans stand by their decision to name their boy after his mother's grandfather, World War II fighter pilot Charles Bruce Taylor.
"The main thing is that connection with his great-grandfather," said Mr Yeoman, who hopes to take Charlie to his first Anzac service tomorrow.
The family also have a dog called George, another 1915 favourite. Asked whether they were taking a lead from the royal family, he noted the dog was born before Prince George.
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