What's in a name? Quite a lot, it seems. Especially when it comes to naming your baby.
At the beginning of each year the Department of Internal Affairs' office of Births, Deaths and Marriages releases a list of the most popular baby names for the year prior.
In 2008, Jack was still the most popular boy's name for the fourth year running, while Sophie was the new number one girl's name with 2007s top choice, Ella, dropping down to third place.
Only one new name entered the top 30 girls list - Isla, which shot up from number 50 in 2007.
Here’s the list for 2008.
Girls top 30
Boys top 30
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Over the Teacups
My four-year-old grandson was at the supermarket with his mother when he exclaimed, “You’re buying something, Mummy, auntie is buying something – I want to buy something!” Mum replied, “You have to be big, have a wife, have a job, then you can buy things.” He replied, “I have a wife – Maia,” meaning his four-year-old friend. Mum said, “What about a job?” Master Four replied, “My job is having a wife!”
Robyn, Whangarei
Water you want?
I was in the car and asking Master Three what he wanted for Christmas. He said he was going to ask Santa for a water pistol. “And Nanny,” he added, “I’m going to ask for some water for our paddling pool.” Now that could be interesting!
Julie, by email
Bee gone
Master Three had his first bee sting recently. The incident broke his heart, but after many cuddles he came right. Later he said, “I never want to see another bee again. I don’t like bees any more, I only like flies.”
Gaileen, by email
Fraud with worry
My daughter warned me that “old people are being taken for a ride,” and that I shouldn’t engage in conversation with phone sales people. To this, Master Five piped up, “Nana can’t go on that ride, she’s old.”
Joseph’s Nana, Hamilton
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