Jack and Ruby top 2010 baby names

The most popular boys’ and girls’ names for 2010 suggest modern Victorian parents still favour traditional names.

Attorney-General Robert Clark said the most popular girls’ names this year were Ruby, Charlotte, Mia, Olivia and Chloe, according to figures from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

The top boys’ names were Jack, William, Thomas, Oliver and Joshua.

“Traditional names are continuing to remain popular, and parents in 2010 were sticking with many of the favourites seen in recent years,” Mr Clark said.

Jacob was the only new entrant to the top 20 most popular boys’ names list this year, replacing Daniel.

For the past three years, the top 20 girls’ names have remained favourites with no new entrants.

“The most popular girls’ names for 2010 feature an interesting selection of classic Victorian and Edwardian names,” Mr Clark said.

The most popular child’s name of the decade was Jack (7,085 boys since 2000), followed closely by Joshua (6,816). Olivia was the most popular girls’ name of the decade (5,217).

“Naming a child is an important step for all parents, and then registering their child’s birth with Births, Deaths and Marriages.” Mr Clark said.

“Once a birth is registered, parents can be issued with a birth certificate, which is often required when the time comes for signing up for school, Medicare, government benefits, a passport and eventually, a driver’s licence.”

The Registry has been recording significant events in the lives of Victorians since the first Births Registration Act was proclaimed in July 1853. More than 71,000 births were registered in 2010.

View Victoria’s most popular names since 1929 at www.bdm.vic.gov.au

Top 20 boys’ and girls’ names of 2010 registered in Victoria:

BOYS: 1. Jack; 2. William; 3. Thomas; 4. Oliver; 5. Joshua; 6. James; 7. Ethan; 8. Cooper; 9. Noah; 10. Max; 11. Lucas; 12. Benjamin; 13. Lachlan; 14. Samuel; 15. Xavier; 16. Alexander; 17. Liam; 18. Charlie; 19. Riley; 20. Jacob.

GIRLS: 1. Ruby; 2. Charlotte; 3. Mia; 4. Olivia; 5. Chloe; 6. Lily; 7. Ava; 8. Isabella; 9. Ella; 10. Emily; 11. Sophie; 12. Sienna; 13. Amelia; 14. Grace; 15. Zoe; 16. Matilda; 17. Lucy; 18. Jessica; 19. Hannah; 20. Emma.

Top 10 boys’ and girls’ names of the decade:

BOYS: 1. Jack; 2. Joshua; 3. Thomas; 4. Lachlan; 5. William; 6. James; 7. Benjamin; 8. Ethan; 9. Daniel; 10. Matthew.

GIRLS: 1. Olivia; 2. Emily; 3. Chloe; 4. Ella; 5. Isabella; 6. Charlotte; 7. Jessica; 8. Mia; 9. Grace; 10. Sarah.