An increase of 6.6 per cent in births over 2007 was recorded. Of the 4,126 live births registered in 2008, 52.1 per cent were boys whilst 47.9 per cent were girls.

Boys names

‘Matthew’ and its variants were recorded to be the most popular names given to boys in 2008 with 5 per cent popularity. Luke (and its variants) was chosen in 3.7 per cent of the cases, thus ranking second. For the third consecutive year, Jake ranked third with 3.3 per cent. Michael retained the fourth place.

Names such as Aiden and Jayden have gained popularity compared to 2007, whilst Andrew, Ben and Julian (and their variants) were less popular than in 2007.

Denzel and Dejan, which placed amongst the top twenty in 2007, did not reappear in last year’s ranking. Sam, Kayden and Sean (and their variants) reappeared after an absence of a few years.

Names for baby girls

For the sixth consecutive year, Maria (and its variants) was the most popular name given to baby girls in 2008.

The name Eliza (and its variants) occupied the second rank with 3.0 per cent, thus seeing an increase in the name’s popularity since ranking fifth in 2007. Julia rose to the third place in 2008.

Nicole, Kaya, Jade, and Ella (and their variants) saw an increase in popularity in comparison to 2007. A drop in popularity was seen for names such as Aaliyah, Ylenia, Yasmine, Shania and Elena. Rebecca and Lara were re-introduced in 2008 after an absence in 2007. New names, like Faith, were also given in 2008. Some interesting trends Biblical names such as Matthew, Luke, Michael, Isaac and Zachary for boys, and Maria, Sara, Aaliyah, Alaizah, and Rebecca for girls, continue to be popular names given to Maltese children.

Some interesting trends

Biblical names such as Matthew, Luke, Michael, Isaac and Zachary for boys, and Maria, Sara, Aaliyah, Alaizah, and Rebecca for girls, continue to be popular names given to Maltese children

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