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Baby names

Top 25 most popular baby girl names in Canada for 2017

From royalty to Kardashian and everything in between, we've rounded up the top 25 baby girl names of 2017. Check to see if your little one's moniker made the cut!

Top 25 most popular baby girl names in Canada for 2017

Photo: iStockPhoto

Top 25 baby girl names 2017

Olivia

Last year’s rank: 2

Moving up from the number two spot last year to reign supreme in 2017, Olivia, a Latin name, is the femme version of Oliver and means “olive tree.” It was first used in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and starlets like Olivia Wilde wear the name proudly. 

Read more: Top 25 most popular baby boy names in Canada for 2017

Olivia Wilde attends the premiere of Netflix's 'Kodachrome' at ArcLight Cinemas on April 18, 2018 in Hollywood, CaliforniaPhoto: JB Lacroix/WireImage

Charlotte

Last year’s rank: 3

There’s no doubt that cutie Princess Charlotte is a catalyst for bringing this old-timey name up in the list. It’s the feminine version of Charles and means “feminine” and “petite.” We like it thanks to the brave spider in the classic book Charlotte’s Web.

Read more: Top baby names in Canada for 2017

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge arrives with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge at the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital to visit her newborn baby brother on April 23, 2018 in London, EnglandPhoto: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

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Sophia

Last year’s rank: 4

Slowly creeping up the list, Sophia is a Greek name meaning “wisdom.” It was a popular name in the Middle Ages, used mainly by European royalty and by a popular current-day fictional princess, Sofia the First.

Read more: Top baby names by province for 2017

Illustration of Sofia the FirstPhoto: Disney Junior via Getty Images

Amelia

Last year’s rank: 10

A name with many derivatives, Amelia can be shortened to Amy, Millie or Mia. In Latin, the name means “industrious” and “striving.” Similar traits that famous aviator Amelia Earhart displayed as the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic.

newborn baby girl wearing a knit hat while sleeping peacefully on a pink backgroundPhoto: iStockphoto

Chloe

Last year’s rank: 6

A Greek name, Khloe (not just a Kardashian spelling) represented the fertility goddess. It means “blooming.”

Khloe Kardashian on Jimmy Kimmel LivePhoto: Randy Holmes/ABC via Getty Images

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Evelyn

Last year’s rank: 22

Evelyn has made great strides in recent years. Known as an oldfangled English last name, it spiked in popularity in the 1920s then petered off. Looks like we’ll be seeing a lot more Eves and Evys in the years to come.

Newborn baby sleeping on a white rugPhoto: iStockphoto

Scarlett

Last year’s rank: 31

Look at Miss. Scarlett climbing up the list. It’s a pretty moniker for a strong little lady. Think Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind or Avenger’s star Scarlett Johansson. It’s an English name that means “red.”

Scarlett Johansson attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York CityPhoto: Kevin Mazur/MG18/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue

Isla

Last year’s rank: 36

Of Scottish origin, Isla is derived from the word island, which as we know, is a strong piece of land that stands on its own. A nice sentiment for raising an independent lady—just like actress, Isla Fisher.

Isla Fisher attends the 2018 CinemaCon - Warner Bros. Pictures Photo: Michael Tran/FilmMagic

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Ava

Last year’s rank: 7

A name we’ve seen hitting top lists for the past few years, it has German roots and is notable from silver screen icon Ava Gardner. Reese Witherspoon named her daughter Ava in 1999.

Ava Phillippe attends the Tiffany & Co. Paper Flowers event and Believe In Dreams campaign launch on May 3, 2018 in New York CityPhoto: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tiffany & Co.

Emma

Last year’s rank: 1

Last year’s reigning champion, the pretty moniker is plucked from old German, meaning “whole” or “universal.” We’re fans of Jane Austen’s Emma and film stars Emma Watson, Stone and Thompson.

Emma Stone attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York CityPhoto: Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Isabella

Last year’s rank: 15

We love a name that can be played around with. Think Izzy, Bella or Belle. Favoured by royal families, Isabella’s have been part of royal courts in France, England, Hungary and Portugal. It means “devoted to God.”

Portrait of an adorable baby girl sitting on the living room floor, smilingPhoto: iStockphoto

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Aria

Last year’s rank: 30

Maybe Game of Thrones has something to do with the rise of this Italian name which means “song” or “melody.” In Hebrew, it means “lioness,” and the character of Arya Stark is certainly a strong and fierce feminist.

Arya Stark in Game of ThronesPhoto: Courtesy of hbocanada.com

Abigail

Last year’s rank: 9

A Hebrew name meaning “gives joy,” Abigail is an old-lady name no more. It’s been making a big comeback and has ties to some pretty powerful women. In the Bible, King David’s wife was named Abigail and known for her wisdom and beauty. Two First Ladies also wore the title.

Photo of a newborn girl with blue eyes sucking on her handPhoto: iStockphoto

Emily

Last year’s rank: 5

Tried, tested and true, Emily has been a sweet name for girls since the ‘70s and is all over Hollywood—take actresses like Emily Blunt, VanCamp and Ratajkowski. The moniker means “striving” and “eager.”

Actress Emily Blunt attends the 2018 Time 100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2018 in New YorkPhoto: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images for Time

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Mia

Last year’s rank: 8

Keeping it short and sweet, Mia is a derivative of Amelia or Maria, and was made popular by actress Mia Farrow. It’s a Latin name that means “wished-for-child.” Aw, we like that a lot. Kate Winslet named her daughter Mia Honey and the Queen’s great-granddaughter is named Mia Grace.

Mia Tindall walks her mother Zara Phillips's boxer dog 'Spey' as she attends the Gatcombe Horse Trials at Gatcombe Park on March 26, 2017 in Stroud, EnglandPhoto: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Ella

Last year’s rank: 18

The English version of this name means “beautiful fairy woman.” In German, it means “complete.” It can be a nickname of Eleanor or Ellen, and we love its beautiful simplicity.

Sleeping newborn baby in a wrap on white blanket with flowersPhoto: iStockphoto

Elizabeth

Last year’s rank: 19

Elizabeth is a name that never goes out of style. Popular from the British royals, the timeless name keeps on giving with many nicknames such as Liz, Betty, Eliza, Bess, Beth and Libby. In Hebrew, it means “God is my oath.”

Queen Elizabeth wearing a blue hat and matching suitPhoto: Samir Hussein/WireImage

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Sophie

Last year’s rank: 23

Roald Dahl named the protagonist of his book, The BFG, Sophie after his granddaughter. It’s Greek and a nice variation from ever-popular Sophia.

Sophie from The BFGPhoto: Courtesy of Disney Movie Trailers via YouTube

Brielle

Last year’s rank: 99

An Irish name that means “hill,” Brielle can be shortened to Bree or Brea. It’s French meaning is “of God.”

Portrait of a one month old, sleeping, newborn, baby girl. She is swaddled in pink and sleeping in a tiny bucket.Photo: iStockphoto

Layla

Last year’s rank: 52

Eric Clapton’s song of the same name is what rolls off our tongues when we think about this Arabic name. It means “dark beauty.”

Baby girl wearing a pink and white gingham bow headband playing in the sand at the beachPhoto: iStockphoto

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Bridget

Last year’s rank: N/A

Welcome Bridget to the list. A popular name in the ‘70s, it’s an Irish title that means “strength.” Shorten it to Bridge or change the spelling to match French siren Brigitte Bardot. Our favourite Bridget, though, is relatable Bridget Jones. Forever and ever.

Renee Zellweger attends the 'Bridget Jones Baby' premiere at Kinepolis cinema on September 9, 2016 in Madrid, SpainPhoto: Europa Press/Europa Press via Getty Images

Ellie

Last year’s rank: 39

This English-rooted name is a nickname of Eleanor, which is a very pretty and dignified name. Famous English singer, Ellie Goulding, is one of many stars that has the name.

Ellie Goulding attends the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar PartyPhoto: Presley Ann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Willow

Last year’s rank: 90

Pink’s daughter is named Willow. It’s a German moniker that means “peaceful,” just like a strong willow tree. If William is a family name, this is a nice femme version to consider.  

Pink and her daughter, Willow Sage Hart, at the 60th Grammy AwardsPhoto: John Shearer/Getty Images

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Lily

Last year’s rank: 16

An English flower that represents purity, Lily is the name of Harry Potter’s mum. Alternate spellings include Lillie and Lili—like Riverdale‘s Lili Reinhart.

Lili Reinhart attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 7, 2018 in New York CityPhoto: Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Harper

Last year’s rank: 58

In the 1800s, the English name was intended for boys. It means “minstrel” and has gained popularity since Harper Lee published To Kill A Mockingbird in 1960. Victoria and David Beckham have a daughter named Harper.

David Beckham and Harper Beckham are seen leaving a hotel in midtown on February 11, 2018 in New York CityPhoto: Raymond Hall/GC Images

Read more: 9 baby names that are banned around the world The top baby names in the US for 2017 7 baby name trends for 2018

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Amy is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto, Ontario. Her work can also be found in publications like Chatelaine, Toronto Life and The Globe and Mail

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