Julia and Lucas: Netherlands' most popular baby names in 2018

The most popular baby names in the Netherlands last year were Lucas and Julia. A total of 797 baby girls were named Julia last year, and 681 newborn boys were dubbed Lucas, social insurance bank SVB announced on Tuesday.

In 2017 the most popular names were Emma and Noah. Emma is in second place for 2018, with 704 new Emmas in the Netherlands. Julia was in 4th place in 2017. Lucas was in 2nd place for boys names in 2017. The year before Daan and Anna were at the top.

The SVB calls it striking how the popularity of names differ per province. For example, Lucas does not appear in the top 10 for the provinces of Noord-Brabant, Drenthe, Overijssel or Groningen. In the northern provinces Lieke is by far the most popular girl's name. And boys are most often called Thijs in Groningen, Jesse in Friesland, Daan in Drenthe and Bram in Overijssel. Jan is by far the most popular boy's name in Zeeland, and does not even make it in the nationwide top 25. 

A total of 169,134 babies were born in the Netherlands last year, 86,631 boys and 82,503 girls.

Netherlands' Top 10 girl's names in 2018:

1. Julia
2. Emma
3. Sophie
4. Tess
5. Zoe
6. Mila
7. Anna
8. Sara
9. Eva
10. Noor/Nora

Netherlands' Top 10 boy's names in 2018:

1. Lucas
2. Levi
3. Finn
4. Sem
5. Noah
6. Daan
7. Luuk
8. Bram
9. Mees
10. Milan