“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
While Shakespeare’s famous quote suggests that names should not be that important, most people would argue that for parents to be, choosing the right name is one of the most significant decisions you can make.
A name takes a person through all of life’s stages, from playground politics to high school cliques, job hunting and forming significant relationships. Despite what Shakespeare says, a name has a huge amount of influence over how others see you and helps define who you are.
We understand that choosing a name for your newborn can feel daunting. So, to get you started with some ideas and inspiration we have pulled together the most recent top five baby names for girls and boys, along with their meanings, history and some possible nicknames, based on Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs 2023 round up.
Girls:
1.
At the top of the list for baby girls, Charlotte is a name of French origin. The feminine diminutive form of Charles, both Charles and Charlotte mean ‘free’. Some common nicknames include Charlie, Lottie, Lotta, and Char.
2.
From Latin origins, Amelia means ‘striving’ or ‘work.’ Some popular nickname options include Amy, Mia, Millie, and Ames.
3.
Isla is a name of Scottish origin that means ‘island’. It’s also a variation of Islay, an actual Scottish island off the west coast. Alternate spellings for Isla include Ila or Islah.
4.
Like Oliver, Olivia links back to the olive tree and similarly means ‘peace’. Common nicknames for Olivia include Liv, Livvy, and sometimes Libby (though this can also be short for Elizabeth).
5.
The fifth most popular girls name in New Zealand, Harper, is a gender-neutral name of English origin that means ‘harp player.’ Harper was an occupational surname for someone who played the harp.
Boys
1.
The year’s most popular boys name can also be considered gender neutral. Noah is of Hebrew origin and means ‘rest,’ ‘peace’ or ‘peaceful.’
2.
Oliver is of English origin, though it derives from the Latin name Oliverius, which means ‘olive tree.’ In Greek mythology, olive trees are symbols of peace and friendship, which is why the phrase ‘extend an olive branch’ is a sign of reconciliation. Olivers are most likely to be nicknamed Ollie.
3.
The third most popular boys name in New Zealand is another gender-neutral name of Italian origin. Luca traditionally means ‘a person from Luciana, Italy’, though in English the meaning is said to be ‘bringer of light.’
4.
Perennially popular, Jack comes from English origins – though could also be considered a spin on the old French name Jacques – it traditionally means ‘God is gracious.’ Originally a nickname for the given name John, it has now become a given name on its own.
5.
A name of Latin origin that means ‘lion.’ Historically, Leo was often used as a nickname for Leonardo, Leon, and Leopold, though now it is a common name in its own right.