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Most Popular Baby Girl Names in the 2000s (Canada)

In Canada, the most common baby girl names in the 2000s were Emma, Emily, Sarah, Olivia, Madison — names chosen by more families than any others, ranked by total births.

This ranking is based on total births across the decade, which highlights names consistently chosen year after year — not just short-term spikes. Compare popular girl names in the 1990s for the previous decade.

Quick list of the most popular names

The most common baby girl names in the 2000s in Canada are listed below, based on total births across the decade.

How the ranking works

This ranking is based on total births for each name across all years in the decade. By aggregating data over a 10-year period, we highlight names with sustained popularity rather than short-term spikes. Names are ranked by total birth count, using national-level data only.

Key insights

Summary of the names with the highest total births:

  • Top name: Emma with 21,420 births over the decade
  • #1 share of top 100: 3.6%
  • Gap #1 vs #10: 2.2x
  • Gap #1 vs #50: 4.4x
  • Top 10 share: 23.8% of births in the ranking
  • Total births in top 100: 593,884

Why these names were popular in the 2000s

Phonetics: Soft -a endings dominated — Emma, Olivia, Jessica and similar names. -a reads feminine and soft, fitting the era's taste.

Length: The most popular names averaged around 6 letters, balancing familiarity and readability. Medium-length names dominated, offering both clarity and style.

Familiarity and social acceptance: Parents chose widely recognized names — easy to spell and pronounce. Socially safe yet modern.

Broader cultural influence: Media and trends shaped tastes. Names in popular culture often gained traction.

The core set remained at the top: rankings shifted year to year, but the same names dominated the upper tier.

What were common baby names in the 2000s?

The most common baby girl names in the 2000s remained remarkably stable across the decade. While rankings shifted slightly year to year, a consistent group dominated the top positions. Compare popular girl names in the previous decade. For current trends, see fastest rising names; for unique picks, see rare baby names.

Popularity trend over the decade

Over the 2000s, the most popular names remained remarkably stable — the same core dominated the upper tier year after year. New entries emerged in the lower half of the top 100 as trends evolved, but the top 10–20 changed slowly. For how the subsequent decade shifted, see top names in the next decade.

Visual overview

Top 10 by births

Emma
21,420 births
Emily
19,302 births
Sarah
17,291 births
Olivia
15,297 births
Madison
13,540 births
Hannah
12,749 births
Chloe
11,779 births
Jessica
10,469 births
Abigail
9,659 births
Julia
9,597 births
Total births in the 2000s

How the 2000s compare to other decades

The 2000s saw a shift toward simpler, shorter names and softer endings (-a, -y) — a move away from longer, more formal styles. Names became softer and more approachable than in earlier decades. Continuity: many names from the 1990s held on. Change: new options gained ground heading into the 2010s. The decade balanced tradition with a lighter, more modern feel.

How these names compare to today

Compared to today's trends, the 2000s list has aged in different ways. Some styles faded; others endured. For parents weighing a 2000s name today, those still ranking high recently are the safest bets. See trending baby names for what's rising now.

Full ranking

Full list of the top names in Canada for the 2000s.

#NameBirths (2000s)
1Emma21,420
2Emily19,302
3Sarah17,291
4Olivia15,297
5Madison13,540
6Hannah12,749
7Chloe11,779
8Jessica10,469
9Abigail9,659
10Julia9,597
11Megan9,452
12Ava9,124
13Isabella9,053
14Samantha8,890
15Grace8,879
16Victoria8,459
17Alyssa8,306
18Sophia8,196
19Taylor7,708
20Elizabeth7,567
21Lauren7,548
22Rachel7,498
23Hailey7,488
24Alexandra7,480
25Mackenzie7,309
26Gabrielle7,277
27Ella7,119
28Sophie7,047
29Maya6,945
30Ashley6,922
31Sydney6,743
32Jade6,666
33Zoe6,393
34Sara6,257
35Kayla6,135
36Alexis5,985
37Anna5,848
38Charlotte5,772
39Paige5,742
40Rebecca5,719
41Jasmine5,648
42Nicole5,587
43Kaitlyn5,528
44Mia5,517
45Brooke5,316
46Brianna5,261
47Brooklyn5,073
48Jenna5,064
49Lily5,015
50Audrey4,917
51Lea4,700
52Maria4,682
53Avery4,617
54Isabelle4,550
55Leah4,444
56Claire4,416
57Camille4,400
58Emilie4,388
59Amy4,364
60Sofia4,350
61Vanessa4,305
62Mya4,270
63Natalie4,106
64Morgan4,092
65Catherine4,079
66Sabrina3,991
67Alicia3,979
68Amelia3,942
69Laura3,919
70Amanda3,845
71Noemie3,815
72Katherine3,683
73Rosalie3,654
74Florence3,516
75Faith3,455
76Laurence3,389
77Sierra3,386
78Laurie3,340
79Stephanie3,339
80Juliette3,296
81Cassandra3,279
82Jennifer3,226
83Melissa3,181
84Eva3,137
85Alexia3,118
86Amelie3,088
87Alexa3,032
88Kate3,031
89Katelyn3,025
90Michelle2,985
91Justine2,983
92Ariane2,972
93Danielle2,954
94Amber2,932
95Keira2,891
96Naomi2,887
97Madeline2,873
98Megane2,819
99Makayla2,807
100Erin2,796

Click any name above to explore its historical ranking, meaning, origin, regional variations, and full popularity timeline.

Interpretation for parents

Stable vs trendy: These names dominated year after year — time-tested, not one-hit wonders. Good for familiar, socially accepted choices.

Popularity vs uniqueness: Higher rank means more births. For something less common, look further down or check birth counts. National data can differ from your area.

How to choose: Top 10 = maximum familiarity. 20–50 = familiar but not overused. Below 50 = more distinctive. For uniqueness, consider trending or rare options. Explore baby names in the previous decade, baby names in the next decade, trending baby names, all-time popular names for more options.

About the data

Data from Statistics Canada. National totals only; no regional breakdown. We refresh as new data becomes available.

Explore related baby name trends

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