Listen to this article
Approximately 4 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using artificial intelligence technology. Pronunciation errors may occur. We work with our partners to continually analyze and improve results.
Olivia and Noah are once again the most popular baby names in Ontario, according to a list released by the province on Tuesday.
And Muhammad appears on the list for the first time in at least 10 years, which one baby name expert says reflects the growing multiculturalism of the English-speaking world.
The lists haven't changed much over the last decade, with Olivia, in her 16th year, taking the No. 1 spot, and Noah, in his sixth year, taking the top spot.
But the editor-in-chief of the world's largest baby naming website said people shouldn't think children go to school with dozens of classmates named Olivia and Noah.
“What's actually happening is that the percentage of children given the most popular names has actually declined over time,” said Nameberry's Sophie Kim.
“There's a lot more emphasis on using unique names these days… I mean, we saw Olivia was the most popular name for 16 years, but… it peaked in 2013 and the number of girls named Olivia has been on a steady decline since then.”
Names should appeal to representatives of different cultures, says expert
According to Kim, the names that occupy their positions in the top ten reflect the increasingly multicultural nature of North American and European society, as they attract people of different cultures and languages.
“Both Maya and Mia are new,” she said as an example.
“Maya is not really a culturally taboo name, but it's a popular name among Jewish parents. It's also a Hindu name… or we think of, you know, a variation of the Greek goddess Maya.”
Some of the parents Hima consults with come from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds and want a name that fits both, she said.
Others want their children to travel the world and want them to have a name that will help them integrate into different societies.
“Mia, for example, would also work because those sounds are easy to pronounce in different languages,” Khim said.
“Ending in 'a' is a common ending for girls' names in many cultures, right?”
As for boys, Him says the name Liam is common in Latino families.
“And Jewish families use it because there is a way to interpret the Hebrew name to give it a good meaning.”
A notable entry in this year's boys list was Mohammed, who appeared for the first time in at least 10 years.
The Mohammeds are proud to be on this list
Two Windsorians with the name told CBC they were proud to see it on the list.
“It's the most common name in the world,” said Muhammad Chams, director of Cruze Auto Sales in Windsor.
“As a Muslim, in Islam, Prophet Muhammad was the last messenger, so… he carries a lot of weight and pride with you, and that means a lot to us.”
Software engineer and recent University of Windsor graduate Muhammad Hasib Ahmad said he was proud to see Muslims and the Asian continent represented on the list of top names.
“Muslims call their name Muhammad,” he said.
“This is a reference to the last messenger of the prophet – peace be upon him… and we join them.”
Asked if he had a message he would like to share with his fellow Muhammadans, Ahmad instead sent a message to all Canadians.
“My deepest condolences [victims of the] Australian attack that happened two days ago,” he said.
“In Islam, this is an obvious thing. If someone kills an innocent person, he will never be forgiven… Islam is a religion of peace and we must spread peace.”
