Harry, James and Anna take top slots in baby-name top 10

Harry, James and Anna were the most popular children's names for parents who announced their babies' births in the columns of The Irish Times last year.

James has been consistently popular in recent years, but the success of the Harry Potter series of books may have inspired some parents to put the young wizard's name in joint first position last year.

The Irish Times list of almost 1,100 names shows parents favoured traditional English names last year, with only one Irish name - Conor - appearing in the top 10 boys' names.

Michael, Charlie/Charles, Samuel and Robert were all more popular than Conor.

No Irish names made it into the top 10 girls's names, a list dominated by names such as Kate, Lucy, Sarah, Grace, Ella and Emma.

Amelia, Charlotte, Lauren, Holly and Zöe appeared before the first Irish name - Róisín - was listed. Other popular Irish names included Aoife, Ciara, Gráinne and Éabha.

Many unusual names appeared in The Irish Times birth columns last year with parents of girls showing the most originality. Some of those names included Fódhla, Anu, Beaux,Ayanna, Dasha, Perla, Réidín and Saorla.

Some parents also opted for unusual boys' names, including Aneurin, Irial, Magnus, Lucca, Orian, Izaak and Sander.

Every classroom once contained several Marys and Johns but just a solitary Mary made it into the girl's list last year. John has remained consistently popular and stayed in the top 10.

If the variations of Isabel were combined, it would be the most popular girl's name, with Isabella, Isabelle, Isabel and Isobel all appearing frequently.

Ava, Eva, Hannah, Laura and Amy are also popular.

The Irish Times list was not compiled last year, but the most recent name poll in 2001 found James and Isabel were the most popular.

The Central Statistics Office will not have national data on the most popular baby names for some months, but in 2003, Seán and Emma were the most popular choices.

Seán was edged out of The Irish Times top 10, together with names such as Joseph, Patrick, Daniel and Hugh.

Names for boys:

James and Harry

Andrew

Michael

Charles/Charlie

John

Robert

Samuel

Conor

Jack

Mathew

Names for girls:

Anna

Kate

Lucy

Sarah

Grace

Ella

Emma

Rachel

Source: The Irish Times birth announcements in 2004