Jack and Grace revealed as most popular baby names in Offaly in 2022

Jack and Grace were the most popular baby names in Offaly in 2022 according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO.)

Jack is the most popular boys’ name for the sixth year in a row. It has held the top spot since 2007, with the exception of 2016, when James was the most popular name.

Grace was the second most popular name nationally but was the top girls' name in Ulster. It also held the top or joint top name in nine counties and shared first place with Saoirse in Roscommon.

Commenting on the trends in Irish baby names, Statistician in the Vital Statistics Section of the CSO. Seán O’Connor, said:

“Jack has retained the top spot as the most popular baby boys’ name in 2022, a position it has held for every year since 2007, except for 2016, when James was the most popular choice of name. Jack and James have been in the top five boys’ names since 1998. Noah and James are the other two boys’ names which make up the top three in 2022.

“Emily once again occupied the number one position as most popular girls’ name in Ireland for the first time since 2019. Grace, Fiadh, Sophie, and Lily were the other four girls’ names which made up the five in 2022. In 2021, Fiadh claimed the top spot for baby girls for the first time, followed by Grace, Emily, Sophie, and Éabha. Grace, Emily, and Sophie have been permanent fixtures in the top five names for baby girls for every year since 2016.

“Blake and Cody are the two new entrants into the top 100 boys’ names for 2022. Looking at new entrants for girls, four new entrants appeared, which were Hailey, Phoebe, Ayda, and Éala.”

Murphy was the most common surname for babies born in 2022. There were 8,982 distinct new-born names registered last year.

In 1972, the most popular baby names were John and Mary. Fifty years later, John ranked 36th in popularity and Mary ranked 87th in 2022.