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

Meta fights CRTC, refuses to publicly release info on news blocking measures

Meta is refusing to publicly disclose information that could determine whether it is subject to the Online News Act despite blocking news from its platforms. It has declined to follow CRTC directions to either publicly release that information or explain in detail why it should remain confidential, a move that Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge’s office says sends "a troubling message."

Meta fights CRTC, refuses to publicly release info on news blocking measures

The winners and losers of the Liberals' holiday tax break and cash giveaway

The Liberal government is pulling out the federal wallet to put more money into people's pockets over the holidays, but its recently announced affordability measures create winners and losers. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday that the federal government will remove the goods and services tax on a slew of items for two months, starting Dec. 14.

The winners and losers of the Liberals' holiday tax break and cash giveaway

B.C. school bus crash was 'tragic accident,' set off by medical event: police

Police in British Columbia say a June school bus crash followed by the death of a pedestrian was a "tragic accident" triggered when the 60-year-old bus driver suffered a medical event. Cpl. Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patrol says the evidence shows there was no criminality involved in the crash near Lac La Hache in the B.C. Interior, in which many children on the bus were hurt.

B.C. school bus crash was 'tragic accident,' set off by medical event: police

Dozens of avian flu infections in farms

BC poultry farmers are on high alert as dozens of avian flu infections have raced through farms. Shawn Hall with the B-C Poultry Association says the industry has raised its biosecurity level to red, the highest level, as infections increase this fall.

Dozens of avian flu infections in farms

Explosion destroys Calgary townhouse, four people injured

The Calgary Fire Department says investigators are working to find out what caused a townhouse explosion in the city's southeast that injured four people. Crews were called Thursday afternoon to the Mahogany neighbourhood and, while en route, they saw flames and a large plume of smoke from several blocks away.

Explosion destroys Calgary townhouse, four people injured

First Nation considers legal options as B.C. approves mining permit 'without consent'

The Xatśull First Nation says it is "disappointed" that British Columbia's Mines Ministry has granted an operating permit for the Cariboo Gold Mine without meeting its leadership or obtaining the nation's consent. The mine is on the nation's territory in central B.C. and it issued a statement earlier this month calling for the project to be halted until the nation had given its consent.