Statistics Canada data shows Charlotte was the most popular baby girl name in Canada in 2025, with Olivia dropping to second.
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Olivia has lost its grip on the top spot. Statistics Canada data for 2025 shows Charlotte was the most popular baby girl name in Canada, followed closely by Olivia.
In 2025, 1,502 babies were named Charlotte, edging out Olivia, which was given to 1,445 babies. The difference between the two names was 57 babies, bringing an end to a nearly decade-long stretch in which Olivia had held the top position.
The shift is modest rather than sweeping: Statistics Canada’s list for the prior year also featured the same leading names, with only changes in their ordering. Emma remained Canada’s third-most popular girl name, while Sophia and Amelia swapped positions to land at fourth and fifth respectively.
Nora was the only new name to appear on the ranking, entering at 10th place. The appearance of Nora coincides with a displacement of the name that previously occupied that position.
Charlotte has French roots, coming from the masculine name Charles. The name is associated with meanings connected to “free man” or “army,” and it has long been linked to nobility and royalty.
A notable boost to Charlotte’s popularity in the public imagination came in 2015, when Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, named their second child Charlotte. In Canada, the name has also been used by prominent public figures, including Inuit throat singer Charlotte Qamaniq and Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin.
Beyond contemporary celebrity associations, the name carries broader cultural references in literature and entertainment. It is associated with author Charlotte Brontë, makeup mogul Charlotte Tilbury, and Charlotte York from Sex and the City.
While name trends reflect changing preferences, Statistics Canada’s accompanying demographic context points to wider shifts in how many children are being born and when. In 2025, the country’s total fertility rate remained at a record-low 1.26 children per woman.
The data also indicates that the average age of mothers giving birth continues to rise. In 2025, the average age of a new mom was 31.9, compared with 26.7 years recorded in 1976.
Taken together, the 2025 baby-name ranking and the demographic indicators suggest that Canada’s baby cohort is smaller and that many births are occurring later in life, even as certain classic names continue to dominate the top ranks.
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