After the triumph of Julie and Stéphanie in the 1980s and 1990s, here we are in the era of Emma, which has been at the top of the list of the most popular female names in Quebec for nearly a decade.
The 520 new Emmas and the 640 new Noahs of the year 2022 allowed their first names to dominate the ranking of the most chosen first names in Quebec for the second year in a row, according to Retraite Québec. Their popularity skyrocketed during the years 2000 to 2010.
Since 2012, Emma has found herself in first place seven times, dethroned only by Léa in 2013 and 2014, and Olivia in 2019 and 2020.
Emma is also the first name chosen by Josiane and her partner, who are expecting their first child this summer. In interview with The Pressthe mother-to-be stressed that she was not going to change her choice, despite the abundance of little Emmas in Quebec.
The popularity of our daughter’s name was not a factor when we chose it. On the contrary, I find it flattering that people like this name.
Josiane, future mother of a little Emma
For his part, Jeffrey Brodeur has a little Emma of 5 months. The popularity of the first name delights him. “It confirms that we made the right choice,” says the dad.
For her part, Liza Depelteau Laframboise gave birth two weeks ago to a little girl named Emma-Rose. The first name Rose ranks ninth among the most popular first names of 2022. “I didn’t know a lot of Emma, and I wanted a first name to make a compound name with Rose, reveals Liza Depelteau Laframboise. I had no idea both were so popular. »
According to the Retraite Québec list, there were only 59 Emma-Rose in 2022. “I am happy to know that her compound first name is unique,” comments the new mother.
Compared to Julie in the 1980s, the proportion of Emma in Quebec in 2022 is much lower.
In 1980, 4.4% of babies were called Julie in the Belle Province. In 2022, 1.3% of newborns will be called Emma, which demonstrates a greater diversity of first names.
“I’m not afraid that there are four Emmas in my daughter’s class,” says Josiane.
The name Noah renews its title
The name Noah regains its first place in the ranking of the most popular male names of the year. Long held by William, the top position was also won by Liam in 2019 and 2020.
Vicky Pellerin has just named her son Noah. The little guy is now 4 months old. She admits that she was worried when she saw the popularity of the first name. “I was very hesitant to choose this first name precisely because of its popularity. But I found it too beautiful not to choose it, ”she explains.
“My boyfriend’s name is William… We agree that it’s a fairly popular first name! launches the young mother. When I told him about my uncertainty, he told me that he had always lived well with his first name despite there being several in his groups at school. In the end, they always managed to come up with nicknames. »
Besides Noah, the other two most popular male names in 2022 are, unsurprisingly, Liam and William.