The #1 names in Australia last year were Olivia and Oliver – the first time two names beginning with O have been #1, and the most similar pair of names at #1 since Michael and Michelle in the 1970s.

However, that doesn’t mean they were necessarily the #1 name in every region, so here’s a round up of the most popular names around Australia, as reported by regional newspapers.

NATIONAL

The most popular names of babies and children taking part in the Bonds Baby Search competition were Ruby and Oliver; Olivia was #5 for girls. Other popular names were Noah, Cooper, and Jack for boys, and Charlotte, Ava, and Mia for girls.

NEW SOUTH WALES

In Lismore, the most popular names were Mia and Noah. Oliver was #3 for boys, but Olivia was not in the Top 10 for girls. Other popular names were Willow, Isabella and Sophie for girls, and Mason, Charlie, and William for boys.

In Forbes, the most popular names were Mason, William, and Jack – if you include variant spellings, Mason came out on top. For girls, the most popular names were Isla, Airlie, Hallie, and Layla – and Ruby, if you include variant spellings. There was one Oliver born in the town, but no Olivias.

In the Shoalhaven district, which includes the city of Nowra, the most popular names were Georgia and Isaac. Other popular names were Summer and Mia for girls, and Flynn for boys.

QUEENSLAND

In Ipswich, the most popular names were Olivia and Cooper; Oliver was #2 for boys. Other popular names were Isabella, Ruby, and Charlotte for girls, and Jack, Liam, and William for boys.

In Mackay, the most popular names were Mia and Oliver; Olivia was #6 for girls. Other popular names were Ruby, Charlotte, and Emily for girls, and Jaxon, Connor, and William for boys.

In the Wide Bay area, which includes the cities of Bundaberg and Gympie, the most popular names were Charlotte and Hunter; Olivia and Oliver were both #4. Other popular names were Amelia, Mia, and Chloe for girls, and Cooper, Thomas, and Lachlan for boys.

At Warwick Hospital, a midwife noted a lot of Masons, Logans, and Jacksons. She has noticed a push towards traditional names like Edward and George, but overall there is a lot of variety.

At Sunshine Coast Private Hospital in Buderim, the most popular baby name was Harry – for one week at least. Five baby boys were welcomed in a single week, and they were all given the name Harry.

VICTORIA

In Ballarat, the most popular names were Ruby and Jack; Olivia and Oliver were both #4. Other popular names were Charlotte and Henry. Unique names from local birth notices included Lowanna, Ginger, Spencer, Ecco, Romi, Taylen, and Minti for girls, and Huon, Lennox, Rocco, Tahvo, Tyce, Tiger, Oaklan, and Brax for boys.

In the area around Warnambool, the most popular names were Sophie and Harry; Oliver was #3 for boys. Other popular names were Alexis for girls and Jack for boys. The paper noted a trend for girls names to start with L, such as Lilly and Layla, and boys names to start with H, such as Hugo and Harley. Unique names for the area included Michaeleen and Budi for girls, and Fox, Xander, and Tilba for boys.

In the Wimmera region, which includes the city of Horsham, the most popular names were Edie/Eadie, Indi or Indigo, and Jack or Jackson. Matilda was the next most popular name (most popular overall if not including variants), and Olivia and Oliver were both popular. Unique names for the year were Boh, Letty, and Sari for girls, and Reginald, Hendrix, Macklin, and Korbyn for boys.

At St John of God Hospital in Geelong, the most popular names were Adele and Noah. Other popular names were Zarah and Evie for girls, and Finn and Harry for boys.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

In Whyalla, the most popular names in birth notices were Isla and Jarrod; Lucas was also a popular boy’s name. The most popular middle names were Rose for girls, and James for boys. The newspaper also noted some of the year’s unique names, including Bohdi, Floredre, La’Tarnya, Isaiah, Titan, and Loki.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

In the City of Cockburn in Perth, the most popular names were Georgia and Ryan. Other popular names were Emily and Finn.

TASMANIA

Olivia was the most popular name on the south-west coast, which includes the cities of Burnie and Devonport, with Sophie and Charlotte also popular choices.

(Photo shows the Nimbin bus in Lismore)