Welcoming Generation Beta: The first babies of 2025

Baby Hannah, who was born at 12.16am at Joan Kirner’s Women and Children’s Hospital, is potentially Victoria’s first Generation Beta baby – and her proud parents couldn’t be more delighted.

Less than ten minutes after the fireworks fell silent, the cries of a girl believed to be Victoria’s first baby for 2025 brought more joy to the city.

Born at 12:16am, Hannah Nguyen held out for the new year and was born at Joan Kirner’s Women and Children’s Hospital weighing 4.5kg on January 1.

She was not only the Western Health hospital’s – and potentially Victoria’s – first baby of both the year and Generation Beta, but also the first child for overjoyed parents Ngan Bui and Trung Bao Nguyen.

Ms Bui, 24, said Hannah’s new year arrival was a “surprise” and recalled her thoughts during those precious first moments.

Baby Hannah was born at 12:16am at Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital. Picture: David Caird

“I’m very happy. The baby’s so big and very cute,” she said.

“I really love her.”

She said Hannah was a few days overdue, initially expected on December 27, and her name meant “let the sun shine”.

Proud dad Mr Nguyen dreamt of a bright future for their ray of sunshine, and said they were “very happy and excited”.

“She’s a lovely girl,” he said.

He said they hope her life is one of health and strength, and she gets a good education and job.

“She can do whatever she likes in the future,” he said.

“We didn’t think she would be the first one of the year, but it came true.

“It’s a big gift for us in the new year.”

Hannah, whose parents were looking forward to taking home to Taylors Hill in the coming days, was one of almost 40 Victorian bubs expected to arrive in 2025’s early hours.

Over at Mercy Health, little girl Miraya was born to her parents Apoorva Mali, 31, and Vivek Menon from Rosanna at 1.29am, four days earlier than expected.

First-time mum Apoorva said it “was overwhelming, exciting, scary, all at once”.

First-time dad Vivek described parenthood as “an on top of the world feeling” and it was exciting that his daughter was the start of a new generation.

Vivek Menon and Apoorva Mali with baby daughter Miraya. Picture: David Caird

Generation Beta — nicknamed Beta Babies — will be born between 2025 and 2039. T

At Eastern Health the first baby born in 2025 was little Bobby, welcomed by parents Teresa and Matt at 12:49am. Bobby is also a little brother to his big sister, Olivia.

Minister Mary-Anne Thomas welcomed Miraya on Thursday morning and said “welcoming a new baby is one of life’s greatest joys and it’s a privilege to see so many families growing and thriving here in Victoria”.

It comes after more than 80,000 births registered in Victoria throughout 2024.

Ms Thomas said this includes more than 80 babies in 2024 delivered as part of the Victorian state Government’s first public fertility program.