Noah beats Oliver as most popular name for B.C. babies in 2025: province

B.C. parents have spoken: the results are in for the 2025 edition of the most popular baby names in the province.

The British Columbia government says Noah was the most popular name for babies in 2025, beating out Oliver, which had topped the list last year.

A statement from B.C.’s Vital Statistics Agency says it recorded 198 more babies named Noah than those named Oliver among the 41,557 babies born in the province between Jan. 1 and Dec. 15.

It says Theodore was the third-most popular name this year, followed by Liam, Olivia, Charlotte, Jack, Henry, Sophia and James.

The government agency tracking births says Noah has returned to the top spot after taking first place back-to-back in 2022 and 2023.

It says Noah was the fourth most popular name in 2024, behind Oliver, Olivia and Liam, but ahead of Theodore, Charlotte, Lucas, Isla, Amelia and Leo.

Vital Statistics says it only counts names that appear five or more times, and this year’s statement does not distinguish between names for boys and girls.

Records show the most popular name for boys a century ago was John, and for girls Margaret.

This report by Wolfgang Depner, The Canadian Press, was first published Dec. 30, 2025.