Emma and William most popular names in 2015

Popular names in 2015,NorwayTrondheim, Norway.Little snow and cold Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB scanpix

After growing steadily in popularity for 30 years, William finally snagged the top spot in 2015. Emma, which has been a favourite since 2003, is back on top.

From an all-time low in 1980, William has steadily grown in popularity to finally take the top spot. In 2015, 474 boys were registered with the first name William. William is an English form of the German Wilhelm, which means “will” and “helmet”. William has a long history in Norway. In the 1801 census, there were 17 Williams.

Emma burst onto the scene in 2003, and has taken the top spot in most years since. A total of 449 babies were named Emma in 2015, which puts it in first place for the eighth time.

Although William and Emma are the most popular names, only 1.5 per cent of baby boys and girls born in 2015 have these names. When Anne was at its peak at the end of the 1950s, more than 5 per cent of baby girls were given Anne as a first name.

 

Source: SSB / Norway Today