Charlotte and Oliver top baby names for 2014

Media release
5 January 2015
Charlotte and Oliver top baby names for 2014

Charlotte and Oliver were the most popular names for newborn girls and boys in 2014, according to details released today by the Department of Internal Affairs.

Charlotte, Sophie and Olivia have been popular in recent years, with Olivia last claiming top spot in 2012. Oliver claims the top boys’ spot for the second year in a row, after running second to Jack in 2012.

The full list is available on the Department of Internal Affairs website.

2014 Top 10 Girls’ Names (2013 place in brackets):
1. Charlotte (1)
2. Olivia (5)
3. Isla (6)
4. Emily (2)
5. Sophie (4)
6. Amelia (7)
7. Ella (10)
8. Harper (19)
9. Sophia (16)
10. Ruby (3)
Top 10 Boys’ Names (2013 place in brackets):
1. Oliver (1)
2. Jack (2)
3. James (3)
4. Mason (5)
5. Liam (6)
6. William (4)
7. Noah (9)
8. Lucas (8)
9. Benjamin (14)
10. Jacob (13)

The top 100 girls’ and boys’ names make up a small proportion of the more than 12,000 unique first names registered for children born this year, says Jeff Montgomery, Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

“The number of different first names people choose for their child is amazing. While parents have the freedom to be creative with the name of their baby, every name must follow a few simple rules. It should not
• cause offence to a reasonable person
• be unreasonably long
• without adequate justification resemble an official title or rank

"Birth registration is free. Registering your baby as soon as possible is an important step for all parents. Birth registration confirms whether your child is a New Zealand citizen. It gives your child a legal identity and the rights, responsibilities and support services that go with being a Kiwi," says Jeff Montgomery, Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

“Both parents must jointly register the birth of their children. Registration allows birth certificates to be issued. “Both parents must jointly register the birth of their children. Registration allows birth certificates to be issued. They can now be purchased at the same time as the birth is registered or later online using RealMe as well as by phone (0800 22 52 52 in New Zealand) or visiting an Internal Affairs office in Auckland, Manukau, Wellington or Christchurch. Birth certificates cost $26.50 for one or $39.80 for a decorative package of two certificates of the same person.

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Ends

Notes
The names are recorded in a national register only. We cannot provide regional breakdowns. In general, any name can be registered unless: it might cause offence to a reasonable person; or it is unreasonably long; or without adequate justification, it is, includes, or resembles, an official title or rank. See the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 1995

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