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Irish Babies’ Names 2010


The CSO today released the Vital Statistics, Irish Babies’ Names 2010 report.


Some of the key points highlighted in the report are as follows:

  • Jack and Sophie were the most popular babies' names registered in 2010. Jack retains the top position it held in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Sophie also retains the top position it held in 2009 coming from sixth place position in 2008 and fifth place position in 2007.
  • Of the 37,622 boys born in 2010, 914 (2.4%) were named Jack, 102 more than the number of boys named Sean, the second most popular name. Of the 36,102 girls born, there were 599 (1.7%) named Sophie, but this was only 1 more than the number of girls named Emily, the second most popular girls' name.
  • The top five boys' names in 2010 (Jack, Sean, Daniel, James and Conor) also made up the top five in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Four of the top five boys' names (Jack, Sean, Conor and James) have been in the top five since 1998, with only their order changing from year to year.
  • There has been more variation in the girls' top five. While Emma and Sarah have been in the top five since 1998, this is the first time Lucy has appeared in the top five. Emily was in the top 5 previously in 2008 and Sophie has been in the top five three times previously since 1998 - in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
  • There were four first time entries to the top 100 for boys: Tyler, Sebastian, Daithi and Alfie. The highest new entry at number 83 was Tyler, which rose from 130th place in 2009. The names rising most in popularity in the year were Tyler (up 47 places to 83rd) and Sebastian (up 43 places to 92nd).
  • There were three first time entries to the top 100 for girls: Lilly, Sofia and Lena. The highest new entry at number 76 was Lilly climbing from 110th place in 2009. The names climbing most places in the year were Alicia (up 51 places to 92nd) and Sofia (up 48 places to 80th).
  • While the top five names for boys and girls were most popular within a number of different areas, additional names were also county and city favourites. For boys, Alex was the most popular name in South Dublin and Limerick city. Ryan was the most popular name in Louth and Jack and Ryan were the most popular names in Kerry. In Galway City, Conor and Michael shared the number one place, while Adam topped the rankings in Sligo.
  • For girls, Holly, shared the number one place with Emily in Carlow. In Limerick City, Ellie ranked first, while in Galway City, Zuzanna, first seen in the top 100 in 2008, was top of the list. In Leitrim and Monaghan, Katie was the most popular girls name. Grace was the top ranking name in Mayo while Saoirse shared the top position with Emma in Sligo. Aoife was the most popular girls name in Cavan, while Chloe ranked first in Donegal.


For more information contact:


Sandra Tobin 021 453 5307 or Paula Scully 021 453 5792.


Central Statistics Office

29 June 2011

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