The good news is that the most popular children’s names last year were still the traditional ones: Luke, Elena and Matthew.

The bad news is that the public registry in 2013 still had its fair share of specially coined names which are hard to pronounce, like Zveyrone, Netsrik, Jaceyrhaer, Zarkareia and Chinenye.

One of the most unusual names given to babies in 2013 is Amporn. One assumes the baby was called after the Thai volleyball player Amporn Hyapha and not inspired by other activities. Other contenders for the most unusual names of the year are: Enonima, Kobbun, Gundula, Limoni, Hunter, Loic and Coco (not Chanel).

Some baby names appear to point at romantic parents: Breeze, Summer, Diamond, Love, Freedom, Symphony, Dolce and Innocent.

International film and sports celebrities have clearly influenced newborn names. Last year there was a baby named Delson, after the Linkin Park guitarist; Diyas for the tennis player Zarina Diyas; Aizley, for the actress Carrie Aizley; Alaric after Alaric Saltzman from The Vampire Diaries; Mikaiel Cain and Aaron Flynn, whose parents are presumably fans of Errol Flynn, the swashbuckling actor.

Fourteen boys were called Gianluca last year, possibly inspired by the singing doctor’s success at the Eurovision song contest. There were seven girls called Soleil – the name of one of the Prime Minister’s daughters. One was even given her exact second name Soleil Sophia. Politics was clearly on people’s minds in the election year. In 2012 only three boys were called Joseph, last year the number went up to 31. Five boys were named Simon last year when compared to one boy the year before.

More on the weird and wonderful names in the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.

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