Olivia, Benjamin top baby girl and boy names in Ontario
Lincoln has made it on the top 20 list for the 1st time since records kept in the province
It's official! The Ontario government is proud to announce that Olivia and Benjamin have topped the provincial list of most popular names for baby girls and boys born in 2016.
And Lincoln has joined Ontario's top 20 list of top baby names for the first time since such records were kept.
In a news release on Monday, the Ontario ministry of government and consumer services said Olivia has held its top spot on the list since 2008, while Liam has dropped to second place this year after being in first place for boys for five years.
Royal names for babies are on the rise after the television series "The Crown" was released on Netflix, the ministry noted.
That means there are more Elizabeths, Margarets and Winstons being bundled home from the hospital.
Top names for baby girls in Ontario in 2016:
- Olivia
- Emma
- Charlotte
- Ava
- Sophia
Top names for baby boys in Ontario in 2016:
- Benjamin
- Liam
- Noah
- Ethan
- Lucas
Parents have 30 days to register births
The ministry said parents in Ontario have up to 30 days to register the birth of their child after a name has been chosen.
The ministry said its online 4-in-1 Newborn Bundle, available through ServiceOntario, is one of the easiest ways to register a birth.
Through the service, parents can also apply for a birth certificate, social insurance number and child benefits.
"Life as a new parent can be overwhelming," Tracy MacCharles, minister of government and consumer services, said in the release.
"ServiceOntario is making it easier for new parents to access the services they need, through the 4-in-1 Bundle," she said.
"Parents can register their newborns quickly, securely and easily so that they can get back to what's important – caring for their newborns."
ServiceOntario says on its website that it recognizes that some parents may not be able to register their babies within the first 30 days. It says in these cases, "eligible" parents can register births online within 12 months of the birth date.
After that time, it says the process is "lengthier" and requires a fee.
Corrections
- In a previous version of this story, it stated the top baby names were for the year of 2017. But in fact, the names are for 2016.Dec 18, 2017 10:35 AM ET