National

Oliver is B.C.'s most popular name in 2024, as century of data show names come and go

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Jan, 2025 05:43 PM

Oliver was the most popular name for babies in British Columbia in 2024, taking over from Noah, but both still have a long way to go to catch up with the most popular name of the past 100 years.

B.C.'s Vital Statistics Agency says there were 216 Olivers born in the past year, topping the list for the first time, followed by Olivia, Liam, Noah, and Theodore.

The top ten for 2024 is rounded out by Charlotte, Lucas, Isla, Amelia and Leo.

But none of those names come close to Robert, which was bestowed on only 14 B.C. babies in 2024, but reigns as the most popular name over the past 100 years, being used 36,065 times.

Close behind is David on 35,364, while the most popular traditional girl's name since 1925 is Jennifer, used 15,959 times.

The statistics show how name trends come and go, with not a single Noah registered in B.C. until 1973.

And while Susan and Patricia are among the most popular girls' names since 1925, no Susans or Patricias were born in B.C. in 2024.

Diversity of names has also increased -- although Noah was the only name used more than 200 times in 2024, more than 30 names were used more than 200 times each in 1984, when the most popular name, Michael, was used 813 times.

The Vital Statistics Agency says that as of Dec. 16, 38,103 babies were registered as born in B.C. in 2024.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Governor General urges Canadians to care for their mental, physical health

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is urging Canadians to treat their mental health with the same care as their physical health as they prepare for the year ahead. In a new year's message, Simon says she is thinking of all the inspiring people she met in 2024.

Governor General urges Canadians to care for their mental, physical health

B.C. police find 'ghost gun' in car after driver said she couldn't remember name

The BC Highway Patrol says the incident happened in Fort St. John on Dec. 13, when an officer stopped the 39-year-old woman to check for impaired driving. Police say while the driver was not impaired, she told the officer she could not recall her name, prompting a vehicle search.

B.C. police find 'ghost gun' in car after driver said she couldn't remember name

B.C. ringing in new year with new rules, including 20 per cent home-flipping tax

A maximum 20-per-cent home-flipping tax is among a number of new regulations coming into effect in British Columbia starting Jan. 1. The previously announced tax, to be levied against non-exempt people who sell homes within two years of purchase, is aimed at discouraging investors "from buying housing to turn a quick profit," the province says.

B.C. ringing in new year with new rules, including 20 per cent home-flipping tax

'Tinder of construction' aims to keep B.C. building waste out of landfills

Gil Yaron barely contains his excitement when asked to describe his non-profit venture to convince construction companies, developers and renovation contractors to recycle tonnes of building material waste on Vancouver Island. "We're the Tinder of the construction sector," he said, chuckling at the reference to the online dating application. "We're the matchmaker."

'Tinder of construction' aims to keep B.C. building waste out of landfills

Experts say housing market poised to remain strong in 2025

Along with falling rates, TD economist Rishi Sondhi said the federal government's recent mortgage rule changes, which kicked in on Dec. 15, should help lift home sales and prices. While pent-up demand should translate to more homes changing hands in the coming months, he cautions that the rush will likely be exhausted in the first half of next year.

Experts say housing market poised to remain strong in 2025

Artist and activist Joe Average dies at 67, after life as vivid as his paintings

Vancouver's Joe Average was an artist, advocate and activist whose bright, multicoloured images were as multi-faceted as his existence. But his sister Karin Carson says she used to giggle about his fame and always called him by Brock, his given name.