Olive-names top B.C.'s most popular baby names of the year

Oliver and Olivia were the top two baby names in B.C. in 2024, beating out Noah after it had sat at the top for two years.

According to B.C.'s vital statistics agency, more than 38,000 babies were born in 2024, and 216 were named Oliver, while 172 were named Olivia.

More than 38,000 babies were born in B.C. in 2024, according to the province's vital statistics office. (SeventyFour/Shutterstock)

Liam came third, followed by Noah, Theodore, Charlotte, Lucas, Isla, Amelia and Leo.

Despite Olivia's second-place overall finish, it was the most popular name for female babies and has been among the top five baby names in B.C. for at least a decade. It has also been a national favourite for many years and has been the most popular name for female babies in Canada for 11 of the past 13 years.

Noah's fourth-place ranking is an abrupt decline from previous years after it had grown steadily in popularity between 2018 and 2023. Whereas 230 babies born in B.C. in 2023 were named Noah, only 163 were given the name in 2024.

2024's top 10 baby names for girls in B.C.:

1. Olivia

2. Charlotte

3. Isla

4. Amelia

5. Emma

6. Sophia

7. Chloe

8. Ava

9. Lily

10. Evelyn

2024's top 10 baby names for boys in B.C.:

1. Oliver

2. Liam

3. Noah

4. Theodore

5. Lucas

6. Leo

7. William

8. Henry

9. Ethan

10. Levi

The baby name numbers are based on preliminary data from B.C.'s Vital Statistics Agency and are announced each year around New Year's Eve.