Liam, Emma, most popular names for Alberta babies

Liam and Emma were the top names given to Alberta babies in 2012, a record-breaking year for the number of births in the province.

Last year, there were 52,398 births, which surpassed the previous record of 51,505 in 2009.

Liam and Olivia topped the 2011 list.

The province also shared some of the most unusual names bestowed by parents last year: Precious, Dancing-Sunflower, Rhaney-Day, Shy-Angel, Beautiful and Skeeter for girls; Thunderbolt, Little, Horizon, Brave and Icarus for boys.

The top names last year according to Service Alberta:

Girls:

1. Emma
2. Olivia
3. Emily
4. Sophia
5. Ava
6. Lily
7. Ella
8. Isabella
9. Abigail
10. Chloe

Boys:

1. Liam
2. Ethan
3. Jacob
4. Logan
5. Mason
6. Benjamin
7. Lucas
8. Alexander
9. Carter
10. Noah