Whilst the girls’ name, Nova, previously favoured in the most popular list, has dropped out of this year’s top 100 list, Strum predicts 2025 could see its return to favour, alongside other positive monikers, such as Everest, which symbolises ambitious heights and strength and Amara, meaning ‘grace’ or ‘unfading’.

In 2023, Noah and Charlotte topped the charts of popular baby names in New Zealand - but did they retain those top spots last

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby reported River, Paisley and Rosalie as the top girl names of 2024, and Hudson, Everett, Theo and Tucker as the most popular boy names. Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin welcomed 67 babies in 2024, with Charlotte and Max as the most common names.

New parents are sticking with classic names, although a few movers and shakers made the top 10 list last year.