The Star’s view: Wacky spelling works,
Farewell Olivia. So long Liam. You no longer top the list of baby names chosen by Ontario’s new parents.
All hail Sophia, and welcome Jackson. You’re now the province’s favorites — on a technicality.
This year, for the first time, Ministry of Consumer Services officials have ranked baby monikers by combining different spellings instead of treating each variant as a separate name.
Thus, in the official count, Jaxon, Jaxson, Jaxen, Jaxxon and Jaxyn all add up to just plain “Jackson.” And “Sophia” includes versions such as Sofia (also the capital of Bulgaria) and Sofiya.
According to ministry staff, “non-traditional” forms are a big thing now, and in recognition of that a decision was made to drop exact spellings when compiling the official list of appellations with the most appeal.
This sort of makes sense, but it may perturb parents who have opted for unconventional spellings. After all, one would think the entire point of going with “Daniyal,” instead of familiar old “Daniel,” is to stand apart from the rest.
If the ministry reverts to exact spellings next year, and restores Olivia and Liam to top spot, it will likely be in response to a groundswell of complaint from folks such the parents of little Abygail, Jakub, Madalynn and Aadam.
Those wanting names garnering extra attention could go a different route and adopt monikers inspired by popular culture. Ontario’s No. 10 girl’s name, for example, is Arya (or some variation of that) after a character on the popular television series Game of Thrones.
Indeed, Jackson may owe some of its popularity to a character on the TV biker drama Sons of Anarchy.
It should come as no surprise if the amazing acclaim garnered by Star Wars: The Force Awakens made itself apparent in a spate of movie-inspired names, starting next fall.
So don’t rest easy, Sophia and Jackson. You could soon be surmounted by baby Rey and little Finn. The force seems strong with them.
Sophia and Jackson have replaced Olivia and Liam as Ontario’s top baby names