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Victoria’s most popular boys’ and girls’ names for 2017 revealed

THERE’S a familiar look to the most popular baby names in Victoria for 2017. The number one boy’s name topped the list for the fourth year running, while the top girl’s name remains unchanged.

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OLIVER is Victoria’s most popular boy’s name for the fourth year running, and Charlotte has held on as the girls’ favourite for another year.

More than 68,000 Victorian babies were named last year by parents whose selection processes ranged from honouring relatives to scouring movie credits or trying to imagine how a likely contender could, in future, be twisted into a mocking schoolyard nickname.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE BABIES OF TODAY?

William and Jack have jostled for second and third placing in the list of most popular boys’ names for the last two years, finishing this year at second (466) and third (450) respectively.

web Baby Name 650 400
web Baby Name 650 400

Henry is the only new addition to the top 10 names this year, clinching eighth spot.

Among popular girls’ names, Charlotte and Olivia have wrestled for top placing since 2015; Olivia was second this year (360).

The only new additions were Zoe (6th at 299) and Ella, rounding out the top 10 (248).

Attorney-General Martin Pakula announced the list at the Royal Women’s Hospital yesterday, as part of a reminder to new parents to register their babies with the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

The day on which most babies were born in Victoria last year (279) was April 13. The busiest month for maternity wards was March, when 6600 babies were delivered.

Seven-month-old Jack was named after his late great-grandfather. Jack was the third most popular boys’ name in 2017. Picture: IAN CURRIE
Seven-month-old Jack was named after his late great-grandfather. Jack was the third most popular boys’ name in 2017. Picture: IAN CURRIE

There were 157 babies born on Boxing Day, 148 on Grand Final day, 145 on New Year’s Day, and 136 on Christmas Day.

Clare Johnston said there had been no debate with husband Cameron over what to name their son, who is now seven months old.

“Jack’s named after my grandfather, who I was very fond of. He passed away about 10 years ago,” she said.

“It was the one name that we had. It’s a nice classic name, not hard to pronounce at school,” Mrs Johnston said.

“We haven’t met any other little Jacks yet, but I’m sure when he goes to kinder and childcare, he will.”

brigid.connell@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorias-most-popular-boys-and-girls-names-for-2017-revealed/news-story/427697408db680ee7d5e0220aafd61c3