More popular Maori name suggestions

Maori names are unique in the world. Photo / John Stone

While Nikau and Aria were the most popular Maori baby names last year, some Rotorua readers have other suggestions.

A list of the top 20 te reo children's names has been released by the Department of Internal Affairs to coincide with Te Wiki o te Reo Maori - Maori Language Week.

"The five most popular baby names for Maori girls in 2013 were Aria, Maia, Ariana, Anahera and Anika. For boys, the top five Maori boys' names were Nikau, Ari, Wiremu, Niko and Tamati," registrar-general Jeff Montgomery said.

Rotorua Daily Post readers on Facebook said while some of their children's names were on the list, like Nikau, Kauri and Wiremu, others had more original names, such as Taruke, Pihopa and Taamea.

The figures were collected from registrations of birth in New Zealand in the 2012-13 financial year and do not include children born overseas.

"Although there is no need for children born overseas to register their birth in New Zealand, grandparents with mokopuna born in other countries can encourage the parents to register their pepe [baby] as New Zealand citizens by descent," Mr Montgomery said.

"This is the second time that this analysis has been carried out between the Department of Internal Affairs and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori.

"Te Wiki o te Reo Maori is a great opportunity to release the top 20 Maori boys and girls names," Mr Montgomery said.

"Maori names are unique in the world.

"They connect to your history and your whakapapa."

The top 20 Maori names for 2013 were:

Boys
1 Nikau
2 Ari
3 Wiremu
4 Niko
5 Tamati
6 Hemi
7 Nikora
8 Te Ariki
9 Rawiri
10 Tane
11 Mikaere
12 Manaia
13 Kahu
14 Tangaroa
15 Kauri
16 Ariki
17 Manaaki
18 Tama
19 Ihaia
20 Matiu

Girls
1 Aria
2 Maia
3 Ariana
4 Anahera
5 Anika
6 Aroha
7 Kora
8 Tia
9 Kaia
10 Ana
11 Ria
12 Tiare
13 Mereana
14 Nia
15 Tui
16 Wikitoria
17 Hinewai
18 Mahi
19 Terina
20 Mareikura