Close X
Friday, January 10, 2025
ADVT 
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 is B.C.'s most popular name in 2024, as century of data show names come and go

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.

MORE National ARTICLES

2 charged in the homicide of a Surrey resident from 3 years ago

2 charged in the homicide of a Surrey resident from 3 years ago
Police say two men been have been charged in the death of 38-year-old Surrey resident Kenneth Thomas Howe in August 2021. An update from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says a 38-year-old man has now been charged with second-degree murder, while investigators found evidence indicating a 34-year-old man was involved after the death.

2 charged in the homicide of a Surrey resident from 3 years ago

GST break would cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces with HST asked for compensation

GST break would cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces with HST asked for compensation
The federal government's GST holiday would cost as much as $2.7 billion if provinces with a harmonized sales tax asked for compensation, the parliamentary budget officer said on Monday. But the decision from some provinces with an HST not to demand compensation for their portion of lost revenue lessens the cost on Ottawa significantly. 

GST break would cost Ottawa $2.7B if provinces with HST asked for compensation

Avian flu at another farm

Avian flu at another farm
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says avian flu has been detected at another commercial poultry farm in Abbotsford.  The agency says there are now 66 locations in B-C where the virus has been found.

Avian flu at another farm

Shooting suspect on the lam in Abbotsford

Shooting suspect on the lam in Abbotsford
Police in Abbotsford say a shooting suspect is on the loose after officers were called to a Harris Road property early yesterday morning.  Police say the owner encountered an unknown man on his property and the suspect fired shots before running away after an unspecified interaction with the property owner. 

Shooting suspect on the lam in Abbotsford

Body found in Burred Inlet

Body found in Burred Inlet
Police in Port Moody say they're investigating the discovery of a dead body floating in Burrard Inlet over the weekend. Police say the body was reported on Saturday at a boat launch at Rocky Point Park. 

Body found in Burred Inlet

Edmonton police investigating after infant found dead in parking lot

Edmonton police investigating after infant found dead in parking lot
Police in Edmonton are investigating the death of an infant discovered in a shopping centre parking lot.  They say officers were called Saturday afternoon to the shopping complex in the city's south end and found the body. 

Edmonton police investigating after infant found dead in parking lot