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Aroha/Te Aroha And Ariki/Te Ariki Top Māori Baby Names Of 2024/2025
The Department of Internal Affairs, Te Tari Taiwhenua, has released the most popular Māori baby names for 2024/2025.
For the third consecutive year, Aroha/Te Aroha/Te-Aroha/TeAroha (173) topped the list for kōtiro (girls), while Ariki/Te Ariki/Āriki/te Ariki (137) remained the most popular name for tāne (boys).
Rounding out the top five names for kōtiro were: Maia/Māia/Te Māia, Moana/Te Moana, Anahera/Te Anahera and Atarangi/Te Atarangi/Te Ataarangi/Te-Atarangi. For tāne, the top five includes Wiremu, Koa, Mikaere and Rangi/Te Rangi/te Rangi/te rangi/Te-Rangi.
“Each name tells a story. It’s a reflection of whakapapa, identity, and the hopes whānau hold for their tamariki,” says Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages Russell Burnard.
Burnard also highlighted the care taken in compiling the list.
“We approach the creation of the Māori baby names list with deep respect and cultural responsibility. Each name is carefully reviewed to ensure it aligns with te reo Māori conventions—right down to the structure of vowels and consonants, and the presence of macrons.
“Our process includes consultation with kaumātua and final review by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. Through this collaboration we aim to honour the mana of Māori names.”
The first and middle names featured in this list were registered with Department of internal Affairs, Te Tari Taiwhenua between 1 July 2024 and 18 June 2025. These dates align with the Tangaroa lunar calendar period associated with Matariki, as advised by the Matariki Advisory Committee.
Department of internal Affairs, Te Tari Taiwhenua has published a list of the top Māori baby names since 2013. 2022/2023 was the first year that this list was released to coincide with Matariki, the Māori New Year.
To view the top full list of Māori baby names from 2024/2025, 2023/2024, and 2022/2023, visit the SmartStart website: https://smartstart.services.govt.nz/news/baby-names-maori
Ka ara mai a Matariki, ka ara mai a Puanga, ka mānawatia a Puanga, ka mānawatia a Matariki
Matariki rises, Puanga rises, celebrate Puanga, celebrate Matariki
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