Maori names are unique in the world. Photo / John Stone
While Nikau and Aria were the most popular Maori baby names last year, some Rotorua readers have other suggestions.
A list of the top 20 te reo children's names has been released by the Department of Internal Affairs to coincide with Te Wiki o te Reo Maori - Maori Language
Week.
"The five most popular baby names for Maori girls in 2013 were Aria, Maia, Ariana, Anahera and Anika. For boys, the top five Maori boys' names were Nikau, Ari, Wiremu, Niko and Tamati," registrar-general Jeff Montgomery said.
Rotorua Daily Post readers on Facebook said while some of their children's names were on the list, like Nikau, Kauri and Wiremu, others had more original names, such as Taruke, Pihopa and Taamea.
The figures were collected from registrations of birth in New Zealand in the 2012-13 financial year and do not include children born overseas.
