Saskatoon

Liam most popular baby boy name in Saskatchewan for 9th year in a row

Liam was the most popular name for baby boys in Saskatchewan for the ninth year in a row. Meanwhile, Olivia was the most popular girl’s name for the second year in a row.  

Olivia is the most popular girl's name for the second year in a row

Close up of a sleeping baby swaddled in a yellow blanket.
The top 10 baby girl names are Olivia, Emma, Harper, Ava, Sophia, Ella, Charlotte, Emily, Lily and Scarlett. (Shchipkova Elena/Shutterstock)

Liam was the most popular name for baby boys in the province for the ninth year in a row, according to eHealth Saskatchewan.

Meanwhile, Olivia was the most popular girl's name for the second year in a row.

eHealth released a list Tuesday of the province's top 20 baby names for each gender in 2018.

Liam is an Irish name that means "strong-willed warrior and protector,' according to babycenter.com.

There were 84 baby boys named Liam in 2018, followed by 61 Olivers, 59 Benjamins and 58 Noahs.

Olivia is a feminine form of Oliver, meaning "olive tree," and is Greek in origin.

It first came to prominence when used by William Shakespeare for a character in Twelfth Night. There were 69 baby girls named Olivia, followed by 62 Emmas, 55 Harpers and 48 Avas.

Two new baby girl names — Ellie and Ivy — made the top 20 list for the first time in 2018

Three new baby boy names — Ryker, Emmett and Elijah — debuted in the top 20.

eHealth has been reporting the most popular baby names since 2008.