Luke retained its top spot as the most popular boys’ name in 2010, while Elena rose to become the number one girls’ name, the NSO said today.
A total of 3,999 live births were registered last year, a decrease of 3.5 per cent over 2009. 51.3 per cent were boys.
Luke confirmed its high popularity and retained its top post from 2009, accounting for six per cent of all baby boys’ names, a third more than in 2009. Matthew and Jake registered increases of 0.5 and 0.6 percentage points respectively over 2009 and also retained their respective second and third rank.
No new entries appeared in the top 20 boys’ names in 2010. However, names like Kaiden, Isaac, Nathan, Kyle, Joseph and Andrew saw an increase in popularity in comparison with 2009.
On the other hand, names that fell in popularity were Aiden, Jaden, Nicholas, Liam and Benjamin. Gabriel, Denzel, Sven and Julian, which placed among the 20 most popular names in 2009, did not reappear in 2010.
Maria (2.9 per cent of all baby girls’ names) dropped by two places in the ranking, placing third
for the first time in seven years, making space for Elena (4.3 per cent of all baby girls’ names), which placed first during the year under review.
This change in ranking was caused by a 32 per cent decrease in the popularity of Maria, and an increase of 6.3 per cent with regard to Elena. Eliza also made a significant increase of 23.1 per cent when compared to 2009 and rose to second position in 2010.
A new appearance in the top 20 girls’ names in 2010 was Aaliyah, advancing by 15 places to eighth position. After an absence from the 2009 chart, Chloe and Francesca re-appeared in 2010. On the other hand, Mireille, Amber, Kayleigh and Laura, which placed among the top 20 girls’ list in 2009, did not re-appear in last year’s ranking.
The practice of naming babies after international celebrities is still in evidence, the NSO said, with a prevalence of names such as Miley, Shania, Rihanna, Denzel and Emerson. Biblical names like Luke, Matthew, John, Isaac, Zachary, Eliza, Maria, Sarah and Hannah, are still highly favoured by many Maltese parents.
Popular Boys’ names
1 Luke / Luca - 123 boys 6.0% of total boys
2 Matthew / Matthias / Matteo 91 boys 4.4%
3 Jake 68 3.3%
4 Kaiden / Kayden 57 2.8%
5 Isaac / Izaak 55 2.7%
6 Michael / Miguel / Mikele 50 2.4%
7 Nathan 48 2.3%
8 John / Giovanni / Jean 44 2.1%
9 Jaden / Jayden 42 2.0%
10 Aiden 38 1.9%
11 Zachary / Zak 37 1.8%
12 Alexander / Alessandro / Alejandro 34 1.7%
13 Nicholas / Nick Gabriel 31 1.5%
13 Andre / Andrew / Andrea Benjamin / Ben 35 1.6%
14 Kyle 30 1.5 Alexander / Alessandro / Alejandro 30 1.5%
15 Keiran 29 1.4 Zachary / Zak 29 1.4%
16 Joseph / Giuseppe / Beppe 27 1.3%
17 Liam / William 26 1.3 Daniel 26 1.3%
18 Daniel 25 1.2 Denzel / Danzil 31 1.4%
19 James 23 1.1 Keiran 29 1.4%
20 Benjamin / Ben 22 1.1 Andre / Andrew / Andrea 22 1.1%
total number of boys = 2,053
Top girls’ names
Name Number % total girls* Name Number % total girls*
1 Elena / Ylenia / Ella 84 4.3%
2 Eliza / Elizabeth / Lisa 64 3.3%
3 Maria / Mariah / Marie 56 2.9%
4 Christina / Kristina / Krista 49 2.5%
4 Amy / Aimee Amy / Aimee 49 2.5 %
5 Emma 48 2.5 Julia / Gulia 45 2.3%
6 Julia / Gulia 46 2.4%
7 Martina 38 2.0%
8 Aaliyah 33 1.7 Martina 33 1.7%
9 Lea 30 1.5%
10 Mikela / Michaela 27 1.4%
11 Hannah / Anna / Ann Keira 29 1.5%
11 Sarah / Sara Mikela / Michaela 28 1.4
11 Chloe Jade 27 1.4%
11 Maya / Maia Hannah / Anna / Ann 26 1.3%
12 Katrina / Kate 25 1.3%
13 Hailey / Hayley 24 1.2%
14 Jade 22 1.1%
15 Nicole 21 1.1 Sarah / Sara 24 1.2%
16 Jasmine / Yasmine 19 1.0%
17 Emilia 18 0.9%
17 Keira 18 0.9%
17 Thea 18 0.9%
17 Faith 18 0.9%
18 Francesca 17 0.9%
19 Shania 16 0.8%
20 Rihanna / Rhiana 15 0.8%
* total number of girls = 1,946