In the interest of making nameberry as current as it can be throughout the English speaking world, what names are popular where you live? What’s hot, not, trendy, tired, different from how it seems in the U.S.? We’d love to hear from you!
I lived in Australia for over a year (early 2007 until 2008) and met quite a few babies and children so I thought I could post though I’m not from Australia. I met many girls named [name]Chloe[/name]. About 18 of them, actually. They were all between 0 and 18 years old. I also met a three year old [name]Kloe[/name] and several little boys named [name]Hamish[/name] which I thought was weird because I had never heard of that name before. I met three little boys named [name]Hamish[/name], all younger than 5 and a 20 year old [name]Hamish[/name]. I met three girls named Tiarne (tee-AHRN) of which I had never heard as well. They were all in their early teens (12-15 years old).
Names that I noticed were popular among young children (aged 0-5)
[name]Ella[/name]
[name]Matilda[/name]
[name]Hayley[/name] (this was actually popular among 0-25 year olds and I’ve seen it spelled [name]Hayley[/name], [name]Haylee[/name], [name]Hailey[/name], [name]Haley[/name], [name]Hayleigh[/name], [name]Haleigh[/name], [name]Haile[/name] and [name]Hailee[/name]).
[name]Ava[/name]
[name]Lily[/name]
[name]Charlotte[/name]
[name]Thalia[/name] (more often spelled [name]Tahlia[/name] and [name]Talia[/name], though)
[name]Brooke[/name]
[name]Jack[/name]
[name]Joshua[/name]
yeah so pretty much what’s popular in the US only that [name]Charlotte[/name], [name]Matilda[/name] and [name]Thalia[/name] are still underused in the US while hugely popular in Australia.
Very interesting. Thank you. Tiarne and [name]Thalia[/name] are the ones to me that really are not used in the U.S. Any idea why these names are popular in [name]Oz[/name]? Anyone able to shed light?
[name]Tahlia[/name] was number 44 in Australia in 2007, [name]Talia[/name] was number 99 in 2005 but hasn’t been in the top 100 since. [name]Thalia[/name] never made the top 100 at all (source NSW popularity chart).
This explains why most girls I met with the name spelled it [name]Tahlia[/name]. I do understand why it’s popular, it has a lovely sound and meaning and reminds me a bit of popular names such as [name]Olivia[/name] plus you could call her [name]Tallie[/name] which reminds me of popular nicknames such as [name]Maddie[/name] and [name]Abbie[/name]. I actually think the name would be just as popular in the US if people had heard of it but I guess most people aren’t familiar with it. Same with [name]Aviva[/name], I think it has huge potential to become popular but it just hasn’t been disovered…yet. I guess they’d both get really popular if some celebrity used them. I’m not sure how it was discovered in Australia, maybe there’s some Aussie celebrity named [name]Tahlia[/name]?
Tiarne…how this became common is beyond me. I wish I would’ve asked one of the Tiarnes where it came from. I tried to find out more on the internet and someone told me that [name]Tahnee[/name] was very popular in Australia and that they might be related. But I really don’t know.
Thank you! We’re going to need some native Australians to explain where Tiarne and [name]Tahlia[/name]/[name]Talia[/name] came from – my suspicion is that there’s some pop culture reference that you just can’t get if you weren’t there at a particular time, sort of like [name]Addison[/name] being a [name]Grey[/name]'s Anatomy name. I await enlightenment!
As an Australian onomastician I can safely say that the girls names [name]Sophie[/name], [name]Ella[/name], [name]Emily[/name], [name]Mia[/name], [name]Chloe[/name], [name]Lily[/name], [name]Olivia[/name], [name]Isabella[/name] and [name]Sienna[/name] are among some of the most popular and common names given to children over the past few years.
[name]Emily[/name] has been a worldwide trend, [name]Ella[/name] has been huge here, an Australian celebrity couple named their daughter [name]Mia[/name] several years ago and [name]Sienna[/name] could be seen as people naming after [name]Sienna[/name] [name]Miller[/name] as it was relatively unheard of until she came into the spotlight. [name]Isabella[/name] has gained massive popularity after [name]Mary[/name], Crown [name]Princess[/name] of Denmark used it for her daughter. Crown [name]Princess[/name] [name]Mary[/name] is from Australia and is very popular here.
Australian name trends tend to reflect what is happening in the US but are a year or two behind and to a lesser extent. In personal opinion I feel that Australian naming trends more closely reflect trends in the United Kingdom.
As for male names, [name]Jack[/name] is outstandingly popular and common here and it considered a quintessential Aussie name possibly for it’s connection the word Jackaroo, a man who works on a outback cattle station. [name]Jack[/name] is also the name of a popular character on an Australian soapie called Home and Away (this show has also led rise to the name [name]Matilda[/name] after a character named [name]Matilda[/name] appeared on the show for several years before [name]Heath[/name] Ledger’s child) .The majority of popular boys names such as [name]William[/name], [name]Thomas[/name], [name]Joshua[/name] and [name]Samuel[/name] could be seen as rather traditional choices. [name]Liam[/name] has been a rather popular name for many years.
The previous posters comments on [name]Hamish[/name] reflect Australia’s naming link to the UK where [name]Hamish[/name] is a common name, perhaps not hugely popular but nothing odd to hear.
[name]Thalia[/name], while not hugely popular, has been consistent in the charts for years at around 50 or lower. A well loved national news presenter named her daughter this nearly 4 years ago. [name]Talia[/name], I believe is also an Australian Aboriginal word regarding water.
So while Australia may be influenced by name choices from the UK and the US we still have our own popular names influenced by Australian pop culture and celebrity.
I hope that helps.
Brilliant! Thank you so much. Very difficult to get this kind of inside cultural information, such as the name of the newscaster’s daughter, from the outside. Very much appreciate the insight.
[name]Hi[/name], so i know this tread is kinda old, but I just joined a few hours ago, and just wanted to let you know that I’m another Australian on board here!
I live in the state of [name]Victoria[/name], and I have the 2008 Top 100 for my state right in front of me, so I thought I’d just add them in!
GIRLS: (1-20):
[name]Mia[/name] - [name]Olivia[/name] - [name]Chloe[/name] - [name]Isabella[/name] - [name]Charlotte[/name] - [name]Ava[/name] - [name]Sienna[/name] - [name]Emily[/name] - [name]Ella[/name] - [name]Sophie[/name] - [name]Ruby[/name] - [name]Lily[/name] - [name]Matilda[/name] - [name]Grace[/name] - [name]Amelia[/name] - [name]Hannah[/name] - [name]Zoe[/name] - [name]Jessica[/name] - [name]Emma[/name] - [name]Lucy[/name]
BOYS (1-20):
[name]William[/name] - [name]Jack[/name] - [name]Thomas[/name] - [name]Joshua[/name] - [name]James[/name] - [name]Lachlan[/name] - [name]Oliver[/name] - [name]Riley[/name] - [name]Cooper[/name] - [name]Noah[/name] - [name]Ethan[/name] - [name]Benjamin[/name] - [name]Lucas[/name] - [name]Samuel[/name] - [name]Daniel[/name] - [name]Max[/name] - [name]Charlie[/name] - [name]Alexander[/name] - [name]Liam[/name] - [name]Ryan[/name]
I agree with a pp that our naming style throughout the Top 100 more closesly resembles the choices of [name]Britain[/name] than the US, with names like [name]Zara[/name], [name]Imogen[/name], [name]Scarlett[/name], [name]Alice[/name], [name]Gemma[/name], [name]Amelie[/name], [name]Milla[/name], and [name]Poppy[/name] in the Top 100 for girls.
I find cultural differences fascinating, actually! People outside of Australia often wonder about [name]Charli[/name] (#58 for girls) and the rather sudden uber popularity of [name]Matilda[/name]!As well as [name]Hamish[/name] & [name]Lachlan[/name] in the boys section.
Top 20 most popular boys’ names in Northern [name]Ireland[/name] :
[name]Jack[/name]
[name]Matthew[/name]
[name]Daniel[/name]
[name]James[/name]
[name]Ryan[/name]
[name]Joshua[/name]
[name]Conor[/name]
[name]Thomas[/name]
[name]Dylan[/name]
[name]Charlie[/name]/[name]Ethan[/name]
And girls’ :
[name]Katie[/name]
[name]Sophie[/name]
[name]Grace[/name]
[name]Jessica[/name]
[name]Emma[/name]
[name]Lucy[/name]
[name]Emily[/name]
[name]Chloe[/name]
[name]Hannah[/name]
[name]Eva[/name].
In [name]Britain[/name], where I live, [name]Alice[/name] is a very, very popular choice, and [name]Gabriella[/name] has been extremely popular among wealthier families for several years now.
Top 100 boys’ names in [name]Britain[/name] for 2008 :
1 [name]Jack[/name]
2 [name]Oliver[/name]
3 [name]Harry[/name]
4 [name]Alfie[/name]
5 [name]Charlie[/name]
6 [name]Thomas[/name]
7 [name]Joshua[/name]
8 [name]Daniel[/name]
9 [name]James[/name]
10 [name]William[/name]
11 [name]Lewis[/name]
12 [name]George[/name]
13 [name]Ryan[/name]
14 [name]Ethan[/name]
15 [name]Samuel[/name]
16 [name]Dylan[/name]
17 [name]Liam[/name]
18 [name]Jake[/name]
19 [name]Joseph[/name]
20 [name]Jacob[/name]
21 [name]Max[/name]; 22 [name]Callum[/name]; 23 [name]Tyler[/name]; 24 [name]Luke[/name]; 25 [name]Ben[/name]; 26 [name]Matthew[/name]; 27 [name]Jayden[/name]; 28 [name]Adam[/name]; 29 [name]Alex[/name]; 30 [name]Archie[/name]
31 [name]Alexander[/name]; 32 [name]Riley[/name]; 33 [name]Harvey[/name]; 34 [name]Harrison[/name]; 35 [name]Benjamin[/name]; 36 [name]Logan[/name]; 37 [name]Connor[/name]; 38 [name]Oscar[/name]; 39 [name]Cameron[/name]; 40 [name]Lucas[/name]
41 [name]Jamie[/name]; 42 [name]Leo[/name]; 43 [name]Rhys[/name]; 44 [name]Sam[/name]; 45 [name]Owen[/name]; 46 [name]Nathan[/name]; 47 [name]Mason[/name]; 48 [name]Finley[/name]; 49 [name]Henry[/name]; 50 [name]Finlay[/name]
51 [name]Aaron[/name]; 52 [name]Noah[/name]; 53 [name]Reece[/name]; 54 [name]Isaac[/name]; 55 [name]Toby[/name]; 56 [name]Michael[/name]; 57 [name]Theo[/name]; 58 [name]Edward[/name]; 59 [name]Freddie[/name]; 60 [name]Kyle[/name]
61 [name]David[/name]; 62 [name]Leon[/name]; 63 [name]Evan[/name]; 64 [name]Kian[/name]; 65 [name]Harley[/name]; 66 [name]Brandon[/name]; 67 [name]Bailey[/name]; 68 [name]Aiden[/name]; 69 [name]Kai[/name]; 70 [name]Louis[/name]
71 [name]Hayden[/name]; 72 [name]Kieran[/name]; 73 [name]Joe[/name]; 74 [name]Ashton[/name]; 75 [name]Taylor[/name]; 76 [name]Bradley[/name]; 77 [name]Josh[/name]; 78 [name]Luca[/name]; 79 [name]Jay[/name]; 80 [name]Zak[/name]
81 [name]John[/name]; 82 [name]Billy[/name]; 83 [name]Corey[/name]; 84 [name]Ewan[/name]; 85 [name]Blake[/name]; 86 [name]Ellis[/name]; 87 [name]Andrew[/name]; 88 [name]Sean[/name]; 89 [name]Robert[/name]; 90 [name]Christopher[/name]
91 [name]Zac[/name]; 92 [name]Joel[/name]; 93 [name]Morgan[/name]; 94 [name]Jude[/name]; 95 [name]Tom[/name]; 96 [name]Aidan[/name]; 97 [name]Sebastian[/name]; 98 [name]Gabriel[/name]; 99 [name]Finn[/name]; 100 [name]Patrick[/name].
And for girls :
1 [name]Olivia[/name]
2 [name]Ruby[/name]
3 [name]Grace[/name]
4 [name]Emily[/name]
5 [name]Jessica[/name]
6 [name]Sophie[/name]
7 [name]Chloe[/name]
8 [name]Lily[/name]
9 [name]Mia[/name]
10 [name]Lucy[/name]
11 [name]Amelia[/name]
12 [name]Evie[/name]
13 [name]Ella[/name]
14 [name]Katie[/name]
15 [name]Ellie[/name]
16 [name]Summer[/name]
17 [name]Charlotte[/name]
18 [name]Megan[/name]
19 [name]Hannah[/name]
20 [name]Ava[/name]
21 [name]Millie[/name]; 22 [name]Amy[/name]; 23 [name]Erin[/name]; 24 [name]Emma[/name]; 25 [name]Holly[/name]; 26 [name]Freya[/name]; 27 [name]Isabella[/name]; 28 [name]Molly[/name]; 29 [name]Daisy[/name]; 30 [name]Abigail[/name]
31 [name]Poppy[/name]; 32 [name]Leah[/name]; 33 [name]Isabelle[/name]; 34 [name]Phoebe[/name]; 35 [name]Isla[/name]; 36 [name]Eva[/name]; 37 [name]Brooke[/name]; 38 [name]Sophia[/name]; 39 [name]Jasmine[/name]; 40 [name]Imogen[/name]
41 [name]Lilly[/name]; 42 [name]Caitlin[/name]; 43 [name]Lauren[/name]; 44 [name]Rebecca[/name]; 45 [name]Amber[/name]; 46 [name]Isabel[/name]; 47 [name]Matilda[/name]; 48 [name]Scarlett[/name]; 49 [name]Paige[/name]; 50 [name]Elizabeth[/name]
51 [name]Madison[/name]; 52 [name]Alice[/name]; 53 [name]Georgia[/name]; 54 [name]Bethany[/name]; 55 [name]Anna[/name]; 56 [name]Lola[/name]; 57 [name]Keira[/name]; 58 [name]Lacey[/name]; 59 [name]Libby[/name]; 60 [name]Gracie[/name]
61 [name]Niamh[/name]; 62 [name]Rosie[/name]; 63 [name]Isobel[/name]; 64 [name]Lexi[/name]; 65 [name]Layla[/name]; 66 [name]Tia[/name]; 67 [name]Eve[/name]; 68 [name]Sienna[/name]; 69 [name]Maddison[/name]; 70 [name]Sarah[/name]
71 [name]Maisie[/name]; 72 [name]Skye[/name]; 73 [name]Zoe[/name]; 74 [name]Amelie[/name]; 75 [name]Abbie[/name]; 76 [name]Eleanor[/name]; 77 [name]Faith[/name]; 78 [name]Nicole[/name]; 79 [name]Zara[/name]; 80 [name]Maya[/name]
81 [name]Julia[/name]; 82 [name]Alisha[/name]; 83 [name]Lexie[/name]; 84 [name]Aimee[/name]; 85 [name]Connie[/name]; 86 [name]Martha[/name]; 87 [name]Courtney[/name]; 88 [name]Alicia[/name]; 89 [name]Lydia[/name]; 90 [name]Victoria[/name]
91 [name]Kiera[/name]; 92 [name]Rachel[/name]; 93 [name]Tilly[/name]; 94 [name]Scarlet[/name]; 95 [name]Harriet[/name]; 96 [name]Rose[/name]; 97 [name]Sofia[/name]; 98 [name]Heidi[/name]; 99 [name]Darcy[/name]; 100 [name]Morgan[/name].
Of course, it should be noted that this includes [name]England[/name], [name]Scotland[/name], [name]Wales[/name] and Northern [name]Ireland[/name], so some names ([name]Finn[/name], [name]Patrick[/name], [name]Caitlin[/name]) are not incredibly widely used in [name]England[/name] itself.
Also, while some of these names are apparently popular, I have yet to meet a British [name]Skye[/name], [name]Courtney[/name], [name]Zak[/name] or [name]Mason[/name] …
I hope this was helpful 
[name]Just[/name] to let you know, [name]Isabella[/name] has been hugely popular in Australia for years before [name]Princess[/name] [name]Mary[/name] used it. In fact [name]Nicole[/name] Kidman and [name]Tom[/name] [name]Cruise[/name] named there daughter [name]Isabella[/name] [name]Jane[/name] back in the early 1990’s.
The list posted above for [name]Britain[/name] is not correct. This was the list published by a baby website called Bounty (based on names registered with them) but they are not the official statistics.
For official stats, [name]Scotland[/name] does its own, which can be found here:
The statistics for [name]England[/name] & [name]Wales[/name] are finally being published on 8 [name]September[/name] at 9.30am.
[name]Roll[/name] on next [name]Tuesday[/name]!
Tiarne is a name that was made up by the wife of a popular footballer for their first daughter, who would now be in her early 20s. Its popularity as a name grew from there.