AOIFE and Jack were the
most popular babies’ names chosen by parents in Co
Donegal last year, the latest list shows.
While Jack was also the most popular boys’ name
registered nationally, Sophie was the most popular
girls’ name in the country.
Jack was also the most popular name for Donegal baby
boys in 2007 but Oisin topped the list in 2008.
Most Donegal parents chose Niamh for their new baby
girls in 2007 while in 2008, they opted for Katie.
Nationally, Jack retains the top position it held in
2007 and 2008, while this is the first time Sophie
has taken the number one spot, climbing from sixth
in 2008. There were 1,061 boys named Jack in 2009,
134 more than the number of boys named Sean, the
second most popular boys’ name nationally. There
were 635 girls named Sophie around the country last
year, but this was only five more than the number of
girls named Ava, the second most popular girls'
name. The top five boys' names (Jack, Sean, Daniel,
Conor and James) also made up the top five in 2007
and 2008. 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 were three first-time entries to the
top 100 for boys last year: Bobby, Shay and Szymon.
The highest new entry at number 85 was Bobby, which
rose from 109th place in 2008. The names rising most
in popularity in the year were Szymon and?Lucas, up
30 and 25 places respectively. There were six first
time entries to the top 100 for girls: Layla,
Olivia, Hollie, Madison, Daisy and Emilia. The
highest new entry at number 74 was Layla climbing
from 106th place in 2008. The names climbing most
places in the year were Daisy, up 61 places and
Hollie, up 48 places. The figures were compiled by
the Central Statistics Office. |