Irish names have long since proven popular in the UK and the USA, but now the Irish name hype has taken hold among parents in New Zealand.
Kiwi parents have shared their love for Irish baby names, as several popular monikers rank among the most popular in New Zealand in 2024.
Noah and Isla claimed the top spots for boys and girls last year – but several stunning Irish names also made their way into the top 50.
As well-travelled as the Irish people, these stunning names managed to make it all the way to the other side of the world.
So, here are the Irish baby names that rank among the most popular in New Zealand right now.
Popular Irish boy names – inspired by celebrities and Irish mythology
Finn came in at number 22 on last year’s rankings of popular baby boy names in New Zealand, according to a list revealed by New Zealand’s Office of Internal Affairs.
Deriving from the Irish word ‘fionn’, which means ‘fair’ or ‘white’, this popular name is rooted in Irish mythology and folklore.
Following closely behind at number 23, the Irish male name Liam is another one of the Irish baby names that ranks among the most popular in New Zealand.
Oscar, which derives from the Gaelic Irish ‘Osgar’ meaning ‘deer-lover’ or ‘friend of the deer’, ranked at number 28.
Perhaps best known as the name of Irish author Oscar Wilde, this beautiful name has enjoyed a surge in popularity among new Kiwi parents.
Stunning Irish names for girls – paying homage to Irish roots
It isn’t just Irish boy names that have ranked among the Irish baby names in New Zealand. Several stunning girl names have also claimed a spot in the top 100.
Maeve, pronounced ‘may-v’, came in at number 35 on New Zealand’s 2024 ranking of popular female names. Further down the list, Kiara, a variation of the Irish name Ciara, meaning ‘dark-haired’ ranked at number 57.
Quinn, a gender-neutral name of Irish origin that actually traces back to an Irish surname, also gained popularity as a given name for baby girls in New Zealand last year.
Ranking at number 87, the name comes from the Old Irish word ‘Ceann’ or ‘Conn’, which means ‘wise’ or ‘chief’.
Similarities in naming trends – transcending borders, oceans, and lands
What is perhaps more surprising, however, is the similarity in naming trends between Ireland and New Zealand.
Noah and Isla claimed the top spots as the most popular given names among newborns in New Zealand last year.
Meanwhile, these two monikers also proved common with Irish parents, as Noah ranked in second place behind Jack, while Isla ranked at number 11.
Lily, which ranked at number four in New Zealand last year, ranked at number five in Ireland. Similarly, Amelia came in at number two in New Zealand and number eight in Ireland and Mia ranked at number seven in Ireland and number nine in New Zealand.
