Coasties may notice some familiar names making waves across the country.

The Department of Internal Affairs has released New Zealand’s most popular baby names for 2024, with Noah and Isla claiming the top spots.

Noah remains a favourite for boys, holding the number one position for the second consecutive year.

A total of 250 newborns were named Noah in 2024.

Isla, a perennial favourite, reclaimed its position as the most popular girls’ name with 190 babies sharing the name.

This marks the third time in five years that Isla has led the rankings for girls.

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden shared some insights into naming trends across the regions.

"Noah dominated in the North Island, particularly in Auckland, Waikato, Taranaki, and Northland, while Jack was more popular in the South Island, topping the charts in Canterbury, Otago, and Southland,” she said.

“For girls, there was more variety, with names like Charlotte, Amelia, Lily, Harper, Aria, and Ella taking top honours in different areas."

In total, the Department registered 59,199 births last year, with an impressive 19,404 unique names recorded.

While traditional names remain a mainstay, Minister van Velden noted the popularity of first names linked to current political leaders.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's name was given to 24 babies, while Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters’ name was chosen by fewer than five families.

Minister David Seymour’s name proved more popular, with 62 newborns sharing it.

Minister van Velden also highlighted the importance of registering births promptly.

"Registering your baby in New Zealand is an important first step in ensuring they have an official identity and access to their legal rights. SmartStart, a platform hosted by the Department of Internal Affairs, is a quick and free way to register and offers guidance for families about the first years of parenting."

The Department recommends that parents register their child within the first two months of birth.

To explore the full list of 2024’s top baby names, as well as historical data dating back to 1954, visit the SmartStart website at https://smartstart.services.govt.nz/news/baby-names

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