Maia and Nikau find favour as baby names

Maia and Nikau were the most popular Ma¯ori baby names for children born in Aotearoa in 2016.

Maia was most popular for ko¯tiro (girls) and Nikau for tama (boys).

The top three for ko¯tiro were rounded out with Ariana, then Manaia. For tama, Ari came in second and Kauri third.

Te Tari Taiwhenua, the Department of Internal Affairs, released the names in association with Te Wiki o te reo Ma¯ori 2017 – Ma¯ori Language Week. It also published the top 20 Ma¯ori names for babies born overseas. The only change for ko¯tiro was Hei instead of Manaia at third. For tama, it was Kai, Manaia and Ari.

Ngahiwi Apanui, chief executive of the Ma¯ori Language Commission, said as awareness and value for te reo Ma¯ori increased, more children were given Ma¯ori names.

‘‘There are a number of reasons parents may give a child a Ma¯ori name.

‘‘For some, it may be about carrying on wha¯nau and ancestral names, and for others, it may be about connecting a child with the land of its birth, Aotearoa.

‘‘This is a positive thing and we look forward to the time when Ma¯ori names for all New Zealanders becomes commonplace.’’

The registrar-general of births, deaths and marriages, Jeff Montgomery, said: ‘‘For many parents, the use of a Ma¯ori name for their child symbolises their identity as a New Zealander and commitment to the Ma¯ori culture.’’

It was the first time the top 20 Ma¯ori baby names for children born overseas had been included in the list.