When it comes to finding the best name for our baby there are many different ways we can go about our search. Some parents have the name already chosen, while others have to hunt around, do their research, and that means looking at the most popular baby name lists. And parents don't have to stick to the most popular names from their own homeland.
For Canada, the list of the popular baby names for boys and girls is slightly different than the list in the US. It's not for any reason other than trends are a little different. Looking though the most popular baby names in Canada, the trends show two common themes. In Canada, boys' names that start with "L" dominate, while popular girls' names tend to end with an "A." And all have one thing in common: They are adorable.
Check out the top 10 names for girls and top 10 names for boys from Canada, and who knows, perhaps parents in the US will find themselves agreeing with our Canadian neighbors.
At No. 10 for Boys: Logan
When we hear the name Logan, our brain first goes to the X-Men character with the same name β who also happens to be Canadian. He's more commonly known as Wolverine, but chances are that's not what drives the name's popularity, but rather its sturdy sound.
No. 9 Boys: Leo
It's not often we come across a boy name that's so short and sweet as Leo. This name is typically used as a short form for something more extravagant like Leonardo, but the nickname as a first name works, at least in Canada. The name is derived from the lion, so there's a great strong and powerful connotation here.
No.8 Boys: Jacob
Jacob is one of those classic names that feels like it's been around forever and really it has. According to Baby Name Wizard, it has been around since the 1880s but its popularity started to skyrocket in the 1970s in America. While it's taken a pretty big dip since reaching peak, it's clearly still doing well in terms of its popularity in Canada.
No. 7 Boys: Ethan
Ethan is proof that baby boy names that come with a solid and strong meaning do really well in terms of how many parents choose the name. The meaning, which is "strength, firmness, long-lived" are amazing qualities to instill in our kids so if there's any influence there, it's not a surprise it's been around for as long as it has.
No 6 Boys: Oliver
Oliver gives us old-school feels and there's a reason for that. According to Baby Name Wizard, this name has been around since the 1800s and yet it's still top of mind for many parents now. The name is derived off the olive tree, which comes with the symbolism of friendship and peace. Strong foundations for a little boy!
No. 5 Boys: Benjamin
One of the cutest things about the name Benjamin is just how many nicknames can come from it. Parent's can choose the full name (and it's adorable to call a 6-week-old baby Benjamin) or shortened to Ben or even go with Benny. The name has been rising lately and it's just making the top five for Canada.
No. 4 Boys: Lucas
Lucas has been inching up in popularity over the past several years and it's a favorite among parents who love traditional names with a subtle twist. Lucas is a fun play on the name Luke, which used to be more popular, but this Latin-inspired name has taken over.
No. 3 Boys: Liam
For parents who are looking for an Irish-inspired baby name, Liam has that, plus the cute shorter name going for it. It's the third most popular boy name in Canada, and the meaning, which translates to "resolute protection" it has that strong translation that is high on the must have list for parents.
No. 2 Boys: Noah
There is something about the boy name Noah that gives off sweet vibes and someone who grows to be a caring and trustworthy guy. The name itself means "rest" and "comfort" so we're guessing this is where the vibe comes from. It's a strong option for parents who love a popular name and care for the meaning.
At the Top Spot for Boys No. 1: Jackson
The most popular boy baby name in Canada goes to Jackson β a name that historically has been used as a last name but has been rising in popularity for many years. The name has started to filter into names for girls, too, but it's holding steady strong as the most popular name for boys.
At No. 10 for Girls: Chloe
Coming in as the 10th most popular baby name for girls in Canada is Chloe. There are several ways to spell the name β including Khloe, made popular by the Kardashian sister. The meaning of Chloe is "blooming" according to Baby Name Wizard, and adding that to the short sweet sound, it's an easy frontrunner.
No. 9 Girls: Mila
It's been obvious for several years that shorter names are typically more popular for girls and Mila is one that fits the bill. Adding in the sweet meaning behind the Russian name, which is "gracious" or "dear" it's everything we typically see in a popular girl name.
No. 8 Girls: Mia
Surprise, surprise! One letter down from Mila, Mia was sure to be high on this list. The Scandinavian name means "mine" which is adorably possessive, but it doesn't take over the sweet name. It's one that is fit for a princess and it's a trendy choice in the US, too.
No. 7 Girls: Ava
Another name thatβs got that shorter and sweeter feel to it, Ava for girls has been trending for a while, making a large popularity jump in 2005. The funny thing about this name, according to Baby Name Wizard, is that it's not really understood where the origin of the name is from or what it means really.
No. 6 Girls: Charlotte
The oddball on the list being Charlotte is not nearly as short as the other names in the top 10, but it's a classic name that's been around for a really long time. The name is fit for a princess (literally, thanks to Princess Charlotte) and it just missed getting into the top five for girl names in Canada.
No. 5 Girls: Aria
The name Aria isn't rooted in a lot of historical reference and it's though to be popular thanks to two television shows that had some strong female characters with the name Aria or Arya. Both Pretty Little Liars and Game of Thrones likely inspired this name's popularity.
No. 4 Girls: Amelia
Amelia is one of the top popular girl names in Canada and its overall popularity has been through an interesting swing. According to Baby Name Wizard, Amelia was a popular choice back in the 1800s, then took a dive, before going on the upswing and sitting in the fourth spot in Canada.
No. 3 Girls: Emma
Emma has an interesting feel to it since it's got that short and cute feel to it, but the meaning of Emma is quite fierce. The name, while short, means "strength" and that's likely why it's such a popular choice among parents who are expecting a little girl. The name was also the second most popular baby girl name in the US.
No. 2 Girls: Olivia
Just like the boys' name Oliver found its way on the popular baby names list in Canada, it's not surprising to find Olivia so far up on the list for girls. It's one of those names that always seems to ring and sing to parents, and we're guessing that its popularity isn't going to go anywhere anytime soon.
At the Top Spot for Girls No. 1: Sophia
The name Sophia means "wisdom or skill" and it has a princessy feel to it that makes it a great option for parents who love a name that's popular, that will stand the test of time. The name has been a favorite for many years and looking at Baby Name Wizard, it's likely to be up at the top for a while still.
