Here are Nova Scotia's top baby names for 2016

Olivia and William were the most popular baby names in Nova Scotia in 2016, according to the province's Registry of Vital Statistics. 

The names dethroned last year's favourites, Ava and Owen, for the top spot among Nova Scotian parents. Ava moved down to the third spot, while Owen fell farther to the sixth spot for boys.

Of the 7,318 babies born in the province this year up to Dec. 19, 48 were named Olivia and 62 were named William. 

• Emma, Liam are Canada's top baby names in 2015
• Liam, Olivia top baby names in Manitoba for 2016
• Liam, Olivia most popular names in Ontario for 2016

​Girls' names starting with I and E were increasingly popular this year, with Isla, Isabella, Ivy, Evelyn and Ella joining the top 20. Violet, Lily and Claire also moved up to the most popular list.

Popular boys' names in 2016 were mostly the same as last year, except for two new additions to the top 20 — John and James.

Here is the full ranking of baby names:

Girls 

1. Olivia 
2. Abigail 
3. Ava
4. Emma 
5. Charlotte 
6. Violet
7. Amelia 
8. Sophie
9. Claire
10. Sophia
11. Evelyn
12. Isla
13. Lily 
14. Scarlett
15. Ellie
16. Isabella  
17. Emily
18. Madison 
19. Chloe
20. Brooklyn, Ella, Ivy (tie) 

Boys

1. William
2. Benjamin
3. Oliver
4. Noah
5. Liam
6. Owen
7. Ethan
8. Hunter
9. Jacob
10. Logan
11. Mason
12. Lucas
13. Henry
14. Emmett
15. Jack
16. John
17. Wyatt
18. Carter
19. James
20. Jackson