Noah and Isla Shine as Top Baby Names in New Zealand for 2025

Noah and Isla emerged as the most popular names for baby boys and girls in New Zealand for the year 2025. The names reflected a consistent trend in birth registrations, with Noah being the preferred choice for boys and Isla leading among girls. Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, noted that Noah was chosen by 244 parents, marking its third consecutive year atop the list. For girls, Isla was registered for 179 newborns, continuing its presence in the top three since 2016.

Trends and Cultural Insights

Close behind Noah was Luca, chosen by 236 parents, while Charlotte secured the second spot among girls’ names with 178 registrations. “With over 58,000 births registered this year and 19,457 unique first names, it’s clear that while parents love individuality, established names like Noah and Isla continue to dominate,” van Velden remarked. These trends provide a fascinating glimpse into New Zealand culture and how enduring favorites influence naming choices for future generations.

Looking at historical data, some names have shown remarkable staying power. For instance, Olivia first entered the top 10 in 1994 and has consistently remained there, while Jack has been a mainstay since 1998.

Political Names and Registration Recommendations

Minister van Velden also highlighted the interesting occurrence of political leaders’ names appearing among newborns. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was a choice for 20 babies, whereas Winston Peters, the Minister, had only six babies named after him. The Deputy Prime Minister, David Seymour, was more popular, with his name given to 46 newborns. Interestingly, van Velden herself saw her name, Brooke, given to 15 baby girls in 2025.

While trends in baby names can be entertaining, van Velden emphasized the significance of officially registering a newborn’s name. This process secures their legal identity and ensures they can access essential services as they grow. The Department of Internal Affairs advises parents to complete this registration within the first two months after birth. The SmartStart service simplifies this process, making it easy and free for parents to register their child’s name.

For those interested in exploring baby naming trends, the SmartStart platform provides data dating back to 1954. Parents can find more information and initiate the registration process at SmartStart.

Names are reported as they appear on official birth registrations in New Zealand, showcasing a unique reflection of societal preferences and cultural influences on naming conventions.