The top five boy’s names in Ireland in 2015 are: Jack, James, Daniel, Conor and Seán.
Surprisingly these choices have all been in the top five since 2007 with only slight changes in the order. Ollie is the boys’ name rising the most in popularity with an increase of 21 places while George is the only first time entry in the Top 100. Hmmm, wonder why?!
In Europe, Noah is the most popular name while Muhammad is the most popular outside Europe.
The top five girls’ names in Ireland in 2015 are: Emily, Emma, Ava, Sophie and Amelia.
Mila joined the Top 100 list for the first time and is rising the most in popularity with an increase of 54 places. Chloe and Emma are the most popular in Europe and Fatima is the most popular outside Europe.
More Girls Names than Boys
Despite the fact that there are more boys' births, the number of names registered is still greater than girls, with 4, 487 girls’ names registered (not to be confused with the number of babies, which was 65, 909 in total!) in 2015 versus 3,475 names for boys.
Across the country, one of those top five names for boys (Jack, James, Daniel, Conor and Seán) or girls (Emily, Emma, Ava, Sophie and Amelia) is the number one name. For boys, only eight counties chose a different name with for example, Adam topping the list in Galway or Charlie in Kilkenny. For girls, seven counties choose a different name, including Lauren topping the bill in Galway City and Ella in Roscommon.
How have things changed in the past 50 years?
The results were compared to the ones from 50 years ago, in 1965. For boys, John (now number 28 on the list) was the most popular name following by Patrick, Michael, James and Thomas.
For the girls, Mary (now in 74th place) was the most popular following by Margaret, Catherine, Anne and Ann.
Another new change is that there is a greater variety of girls names now in comparison to boys plus the names are much more varied now than they were before. In 1965 for example 1,158 girls’ names were registered but in 2015 there was 4, 487. For the boys only 744 boys’ names were registered in 1965 and last year 3, 475 names made the cut.
So it looks like naming the baby is becoming an even more complicated decision than ever before - but no doubt hours of fun awaits!
