Gold Coast’s top baby names revealed

THEY’RE the baby names that are so hot right now on the Coast: We reveal the top 10 for boys and girls!

Mum Kristy Saunders-King and husband Andrew Saunders-King with their one-year-old Willow Saunders-King at their Oxenford home. Picture Mike Batterham

DON’T be surprised if you’re introduced to a lot of baby Willows this year.

The feminine name has surged in popularity on the Gold Coast and was the second most popular girls’ name last year.

While Charlotte and Mia topped the statewide list, they were behind Ava and Willow on the Gold Coast.

But Willow, which was the name of choice for celebs including Will Smith and Pink, didn’t even crack the statewide top 10.

Oxenford mum Kristy Saunders-King, 27, named her daughter Willow a year ago but said she hadn’t imagined it would become so popular.

“When we first heard the name we had never heard it before but now it is everywhere,” she said.

“It doesn’t bother me but Andrew (her husband) is bothered by it.”

The Saunders-King at their Oxenford home. Picture Mike Batterham

Ms Saunders-King said the name was “soft and charming” and it suited her one-year-old’s nature “to a tee”.

“Willow has a very nice nature and is an extremely happy baby,” she said.

“She is never really grumpy, I think she will like her name when she grows up.”

Social researcher Mark McCrindle said Aussie parents were opting for sophistication and substance over quirky spellings or compound names.

Will Smith, daughter Willow Smith and Karl Lagerfeld at the Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016-2017 in Paris.

“The broader national trend is toward names that are unique but not contrived or artificial,” he said.

“Names like Willow aren’t made up but you probably wouldn’t have two or three in one class.”

Mr McCrindle said Willow was a name with substance that “had a good ring to it”.

“Parents are moving away from celebrities as inspiration because they tend to come out with some crazy names,” he said.

Pink with daughter Willow in 2013.

“These days someone’s name is not only what they get called, it’s their social media existence.”

Mr McCrindle said gender neutrality was also back in vogue.

“That’s probably something of this particular era as well ... parents not wanting to overly lock their children into a very clear gender stereotype,” Mr McCrindle said.

“You see that with toys children get or with careers and options for children.”

The British Royal Family remained big influences as well.

Top 5 Gold Coast Male Names

1. Oliver

2. Noah

3. Jack

4. William

5. Leo

Top 5 Gold Coast Female Names

1. Ava

2. Willow

3. Mia

4. Charlotte

5. Aria