Jack And Emily Remain Most Popular Baby Names

Jack and Emily were the most popular babies’ names registered in 2012, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Jack retains the top position it held since 2007. Emily also retains the top position it held in 2011 coming from eighth place in 2007 and fifth place in 2008.

Of the 37,210 boys born in 2012, 831 (2.2%) were named Jack, 58 more than the number of boys named James, the second most popular name. Of the 35,015 girls born, there were 626 (1.8%) named Emily, which was 49 more than the number of girls named Sophie, the second most popular girls’ name.

The top five boys' names in 2012 (Jack, James, Daniel, Sean and Conor) were also the top five each year since 2007 with only their order changing from year to year.

The top five girls’ names in 2012 (Emily, Sophie, Emma, Grace and Lily) hold exactly the same positions they held in 2011. Emily, the most popular girls' name has been in the top five names in four of the last five years.

There were three first time entries to the top 100 for boys: Isaac, Danny and Logan. The highest new entry at number 85 was Isaac which rose from 101st place in 2011. The name rising most in popularity in the year was Danny (up 22 places from 114th place in 2011).

There were five first time entries to the top 100 for girls: Evie, Amelie, Hanna, Maisie and Rose. The highest new entry and the name that climbed most places since 2011 was Evie; it rose 40 places from 124th place in 2011 to 84th place in 2012.

In most areas of the country one of the top five boys’ names took the number one spot. Only two areas favoured names outside the top five; in Longford the top spot was shared by Adam, David, Michael and Rian while in Monaghan, the highest ranked name was Ryan.

(CD)