Maria, Luke were most popular names last year

Maria retained its top spot as the most popular girl's name in Malta during 2009, while Luke rose to become the number one boy's name, the NSO said today.

There were 4,143 live births in Malta during 2009, a slight increase of 0.4 per cent over 2008. Boys accounted for 51.8 per cent of the total live births.

When compared to 2008, births of baby girls registered an increase of 1.1 per cent, while that of boys decreased by 0.2 per cent.

Names for baby boys

Following a drop in popularity in 2008, Luke and its variants recorded an increase of 22.7 per cent and re-gained its popularity among the names given to baby boys in 2009, with 4.3 per cent.

Matthew and its variants registered a drop of 22.9 per cent and ranked second.

Although the popularity of Jake decreased by 16.9 per cent, it still retained the third place. The name Gabriel gained a notable increase in popularity of 56.5 per cent and ranked twelfth. Kyle registered the largest drop in popularity - 42.9 per cent; down by 11 places.

Julian and Denzel were newcomers in the top 20 list for 2009, while Neil, among the top 20 in 2008, did not reappear in the year under review.

Names for baby girls

Maria and its variants consolidated their popularity among newly-born girls with 4.1 per cent of the total. Nevertheless, its popularity decreased by 14.6 per cent when compared to 2008.

Even though Elena and its variants occupied the second rank, the NSO said it is becoming more popular, with an increase of 16.2 per cent in the year under review. When compared to 2008, Christina gained in popularity (+37.0 per cent) and ranked third in 2009.

The names Eliza and its variants dropped by one place to fourth in 2009. The top 20 list of most popular names given to baby girls had two newcomers in 2009; these being Kailey and Laura, ranking nineteenth and twentieth respectively.

Francesca, Kylie, Kelsey and Aaliyah were present in the 2008 list but did not reappear in the list of the year under review. In comparison to 2008, the name Amy doubled in popularity. It moved up 9 places and ranked fifth with 2.5 per cent.

On the other hand, Katrina had the largest drop in 2009. This name dropped from the tenth to the nineteenth position as its popularity decreased by 41.9 per cent. Some interesting trends Once again biblical names were the most popular names given to children. Names like Matthew, Luke and Mary were amongst the most popular names given to children in 2009.

Names of celebrities and footballers remained very popular. These included Beyoncé, Rihanna, Wiltord, Miley, Ruslana, Gerrard and Casillas.