Popular baby names in New Zealand

A big part of the fun of being pregnant is going through lists of baby names to find the perfect handle for the new addition to your family. Or perhaps a couple of apt baby names simply popped into your head as you were having lunch, going for a walk or watching some telly.
Often the baby names first chosen aren’t what your baby ends up with, as when parents get to know the baby the selected name doesn’t suit. So it’s back to the drawing board.
Many Kiwis like to choose baby names that have a special meaning in Maori or another language. Or perhaps have a connection to where they live or to a special event or experience.

Sources of inspiration for baby names

Your middle name, or your partner’s
A much loved but departed pet or other family member
NZ native flora and fauna, such as Ngaio or Tui
A character from your favourite NZ TV show or film
Someone you admire, be it a celebrity, a family member or an All Black, All White or Silver Fern
A historical figure you’re descended from or respect
The New Zealand town or area where you grew up or once enjoyed an adventure

Below is a list of popular baby names in NZ, followed by a selection of Maori names.

	Boy Names	Girl Names
1	Jack	Sophie
2	Oliver	Ruby
3	James	Olivia
4	Joshua	Isabella
5	William	Ella
6	Samuel	Emily
7	Liam	Charlotte
8	Benjamin	Lily
9	Daniel	Emma
10	Thomas	Amelia
11	Lucas	Chloe
12	Riley	Grace
13	Ryan	Zoe
14	Ethan	Paige
15	Jacob	Ava
16	Noah	Lucy
17	Hunter	Jessica
18	Max	Isla
19	Alexander	Hannah
20	Jayden	Madison
21	Connor	Samantha
22	Matthew	Georgia
23	Cooper	Sienna
24	Tyler	Mia
25	Blake	Holly
26	Isaac	Sophia
27	Dylan	Bella
28	Lachlan	Brooke
29	Luke	Maia
30	Logan	Maddison
31	Caleb	Jasmine
32	Joseph	Eva
33	Charlie	Molly
34	Xavier	Elizabeth
35	George	Hayley
36	Levi	Sarah
37	Jackson	Amber
38	Nathan	Kate
39	Michael	Caitlin
40	Oscar	Isabelle
41	Harry	Tayla
42	Harrison	Jade
43	Toby	Abigail
44	Alex	Amy
45	Jake	Kayla
46	Jesse	Taylor
47	Cameron	Keira
48	Leo	Zara
49	Ashton	Stella
50	Finn	Eden

Maori baby names

Both Maori and Pakeha choose Maori baby names. Many sound beautiful and have interesting and evocative meanings, which is why they’re popular. Although we suspect Tahupotiki, meaning ‘pickled youngest child’, might not make it to the New Zealand Top Baby Names list anytime soon!

Name	Meaning
Huhana	A version of Susan.
Makareta	A form of Margaret.
Marama	Light of the world.
Mere	Maori for Mary.
Ngaire	Silver fern.
Nyree	Maori name made popular by NZ actress Nyree Dawn Porter.
Amiri	The east wind.
Aroha	love
Eruera	A version of Edward. Happy guardian.
Hare	A form of Charles. Manly/ full grown.
Hemi	A form of James. The supplanter.
Huatare	The name of a famous chief.
Irihapeti	A version of Elizabeth/ meaning consecrated to God.
Kura	Polynesian: Red. Maori: Treasure.
Maaka	A form of Mark. From Marcus/ which relates to Mars/ the God of war.
Maata	A lady.
Marika	Quiet and careful. Slavonic: A biblical name meaning bitter.
Ngaio	The name of a native NZ tree.
Ngaire	Flaxen.
Omaka	The place where the stream flows.
Pania	A mythological sea-maiden.
Pita	A version of Peter. A stone or rock.
Rangi	Heaven or the sky. A boy or girl’s name.
Rangi	Heaven or the sky. A boy or girl’s name.
Rawiri	A version of David. The beloved/ the adored one.
Reka	Sweet.
Rere	A waterfall.
Rongo	The God of rain and fertility.
Tipene	A form of Stephen.
Rua	lake
Ruihi	A version of Lucy
Tahupotiki	Pickled youngest child
Tane	Maori God of the Forest
Tangaroa	God of the sea
Taonga	Most treasured possession or person
Te Pura	Blind or chief’s child
Whina	Helper