Australian mums and dads are getting more imaginative when choosing baby names.
With popular names for boys and girls having become so common, it seems some parents of Generation Alpha — children born between 2010 and 2024 — are increasingly opting for unique monikers to set their little ones apart.
According to Mater Mothers’ Hospital’s new annual list of baby names, many are taking inspiration from plants (Daisy, Jasmine and Juniper), colours (Hazel, Navy, Violet, Olive) and gems (Ruby, Amethyst, Rusty and Sterling).
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“We get everything from sweet and rare to meaningful and memorable,” Mater director of neonatology Dr Pita Birch said.
“In 2023, we had plants, colours and gems.”
With Matilda knocking out frontrunner Charlotte to claim the top spot for girls, and crowd favourite Oliver taking the lead for boys, it was the memorable names that stood out at the hospital.
“Memorable names included Harmony, Kaos, Laurelai, and Lexcen-Fili,” Dr Birch revealed.
The longest baby name at the Brisbane hospital was a premmie boy called Tinomurongashe — while Milliyana-Marie made the list of long monikers for girls.
After 2000 tiny tots were cared for in Mater’s Neonatal Critical Care Unit, the hospital analysed the popular monikers of 2023.
Matilda won the hearts of parents with baby girls, followed by Ella, Lily, Mia and Charlotte.
Other fan favourites included Grace, Amelia, Olivia, Ava and Georgia.
It was no surprise Oliver was crowned the best for boys — as it’s been Australia’s long-standing number one baby boy name since 2013.
Theodore came second, followed by William, Henry, Thomas and Charlie.
James, Leo, Jack and Noah rounded out the top 10 list for boys.
Top 10 girl names
- Matilda
- Ella
- Lily
- Mia
- Charlotte
- Grace
- Amelia
- Olivia
- Ava
- Georgia
Top 10 boy names
- Oliver
- Theodore
- William
- Henry
- Thomas
- Charlie
- James
- Leo
- Jack
- Noah
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