For all of you interested parents, British Columbia creates an annual list of the most popular baby names to help identify current trends that may assist you in choosing a name for your baby. Somehow, the list never makes our choice easier, but it’s a good start. These lists are compiled each year from birth registrations, with names given five or more times. The BC Vital Statistics Agency website is also an excellent resource for instructions on obtaining a birth certificate and SIN for your baby.

Here are the most popular baby names for 2008:

Boys                          Girls

1. Ethan                        1. Ava
2. Jacob                        2. Chloe
3. James                       3. Emma
4. Logan                       4. Emily
5. Nathan                     5. Hannah
6. Noah                        6. Olivia
7. Joshua                     7. Ella
8. Matthew                 8. Sophie
9. Benjamin               9. Abigail
10. Liam                    10. Isabella
11. Lucas                    11. Madison
12. Daniel                  12. Sarah
13. Ryan                     13. Lily
14. Owen                    14. Sophia
15. Alexander            15. Elizabeth
16. Jack                      16. Maya
17. Aiden                    17. Taylor
18. Evan                     18. Brooklyn
19. Samuel                 19. Julia
20. Nicholas             20. Hailey

See also the UrbanMommies article on Unique Baby Names.