Canada Reveals Most Popular Baby Names for 2024

Statistics Canada has announced the most popular baby names for 2024, revealing a mix of longstanding favorites and emerging trends. The name Noah topped the list for boys, with 2,115 registrations across the country. For girls, Olivia secured the top spot, with 1,639 girls named in the past year.

In British Columbia, the patterns mirrored the national results. Olivia was the most popular choice for girls, with 172 registrations. Meanwhile, the boys’ name that claimed the title in B.C. this year was Oliver, surpassing Noah, which had been the most popular name in the province for the previous two years.

Statistics Canada released the data on September 24, 2024, indicating that both Noah and Olivia began to gain popularity around 1995. Their peak occurred in the mid-2010s, but recent trends suggest a decline in their usage.

The top five baby names for boys in Canada for 2024 were as follows:
1. Noah – 2,115
2. Liam – 1,694
3. Theodore – 1,429
4. Leo – 1,410
5. William – 1,367

For girls, the top five names were:
1. Olivia – 1,639
2. Charlotte – 1,528
3. Emma – 1,358
4. Amelia – 1,123
5. Sophia – 1,086

Interestingly, none of the most popular names in Canada were shared by the first baby born in the Island Health region for 2025. That baby, named Zion, made his appearance at 12:07 a.m. on January 1, 2025, weighing in at an impressive 8.3 pounds at Victoria General Hospital.

The naming trends highlight not only individual preferences but also cultural influences across the country. As families continue to seek unique and meaningful names, the landscape of baby names is ever-evolving, reflecting both tradition and modernity.