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Most popular Māori baby names for 2016 released

Published: Thu 14 Sep 2017 05:27 PM
MEDIA RELEASE
14 September 2017
Most popular Māori baby names for 2016 released
Te Tari Taiwhenua The Department of Internal Affairs has released the top 20 Māori baby names for 2016 in association with Te Wiki o te Reo Māori 2017.
Included for the first time are the top 20 Māori baby names for children born overseas.
The most popular Māori baby names in 2016 for girls, both in New Zealand and overseas, was Maia. For boys Nikau was most popular within New Zealand, while Kai topped the overseas list.
Each name was carefully researched by Te Taura Whiri I te reo Māori, the Māori Language Commission, to confirm it was a Māori name.
Top 20 Māori names for girls and boys are:
Kōtiro / girls Tama / boys Aotearoa / New Zealand Rāwāhi / Overseas Aotearoa / New Zealand Rāwāhi / Overseas 1. Maia Maia 1. Nikau Kai 2. Ariana Ariana 2. Ari Manaia 3. Manaia Hei 3. Kauri Ari 4. Anahera Manaia 4. Manaia Nikau 5. Hana Aroha 5. Te Ariki Tamati 6. Amaia Anahera 6. Mikaere Tane 7. Aroha Hana 7. Ihaia Ariki 8. Ataahua Kaea 8. Rawiri Kauri 9. Tia Noa 9. Hemi Tai 10. Ria Tia 10. Tai Tama 11. Tui Tiare 11. Kahurangi Hemi 12. Kaea Koa 12. Kai Kaea 13. Kara Makaia 13. Nikora Matiu

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