Jack and Emily were the most popular babies’ names registered in 2011, according to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Jack is Ireland’s favourite boy’s name for the fifth year in a row, but Emily moved up one position to replace Sophie as the most popular girl’s name this year.
Of the 38,223 boys born in 2011, 840 were named Jack, 44 more than the number of boys named James, the second-most popular name. Seán, Daniel and Conor complete the top five boy’s names, a list that has not changed since 2007.
Jack, Seán Conor and James have been in the top five since 1998.
The top girls’ names have varied more over the past few years. Emma has been in the top five since 2000, but this year marks the first appearance of Lily, which joins Grace to complete the top five list. Sarah dropped to sixth place this year after 13 years in the top five.
This was the first year that Mason, Donnacha, Tommy and Zach appeared in the top 100 list for boys. The highest new entry at number 70 was Mason, which rose from 128th place in 2010. The name Tommy rose 72 places.
The only new girl’s name on the top 100 list was Lexi, climbing from 102nd place in 2010 to 96th this year. Michaela grew most in popularity, rising 86 places in 2011 after exiting the top 100 in 2005.
Regional difference were recorded with Ryan the favourite boy’s name in south Dublin, Laois, Louth, Wicklow, Sligo, Cavan and Donegal. Alex was the most popular name in Cork City and Jamie topped the rankings in Co Monaghan.
Aoife, Ava, Caoimhe, Chloe, Ella, Katie, Lucy, Mia, Róisín and Sarah were county and city favourites for the girls.
Daniel and Chloe were the most popular names announced in the Irish Times birth column last year. They were followed by James, Robert, Thomas and Tom for boys and Anna, Isabelle and Katie for girls.
Most popular babies' names by region
Region Boys Girls
Border Ryan Emily/Sophie
Midland Jack Sarah
West Sean Chloe/Grace
Dublin Daniel Sophie
Mid-East James Emily
Mid-West Jack/Sean Emma
South-East Jack Sophie
South-West Jack Emily
