Welcome to our world, Zahnee, Reefe and Tej

Rotorua new entrants teacher Heather Kavanagh knows how important it is to get a name right.

"You learn quick. You have to. Five-year-olds will tell you very quickly how to spell their name and pronounce it," the Lynmore School teacher says.

When school starts next week there are several new and creative names on the class roll.

"I don't think I have ever taught a Kiara, Lydia, D'angelo, Paloma, Cyprus or St-John." Those were some of the names popular about five years ago - so what was popular in 2005?

A survey of more than 200 birth notices in the Daily Post's 2005 files has revealed that parents in this region like a bit of variety and individuality.

For the record, the most popular girl's name was Caitlin or Caitlyn (five babies) with Matthew (also five babies) the most popular boy's name.

Amy - spelt three different ways - was also popular with girls, along with Grace and Brooke. For the boys, conventional names like Samuel, Jack, Luke, Toby, Thomas, and Timothy still featured.

Royalty once again had its influence with Charles, William, Edward, George and Victoria on the list. Some of the more uncommon names last year include Zahnee, Rubina, Saraya, Sharni, Jazahn, Reefe, Vallee, India, Chonteyne, Harmonie, Tsehai, Skylah, Saelor, Keanu, Kyan and Tej.

Names starting with O also proved popular with Otis, Olivia, Oliver and Oscar. That's been a trend for a while, according to Mrs Kavanagh.

"There's lots of Os for the boys."

As far as spelling goes Mrs Kavanagh admits there are some children who have familiar names with unusual spellings. "That's going to be diabolical for the rest of their lives."

She admits her own grand-daughter may face problems with her name. She is named Baileh as her parents did not want their child's name connected with similarly named alcohol and businesses. The weather has also played its part in Mrs Kavanagh's classroom in 20 years as a new entrants teacher. She has taught Autumn, Storm and Summer.

"I didn't have a Hurricane or anything like that."

Other unusual names at the school include a brother and sister named Justice and Eternal Hope.

And there's also a Jethro who seems to be living up to his name.

The 5-year-old's mum Katherine Wall says she has been asked if her son was named after the rock group Jethro Tull or the Beverly Hillbillies character but she is quick to say no. Her son is named after the Biblical character - Moses' father-in-law.

Mrs Wall also chose the name based on its meaning. Jethro means pre-eminence and she says her son is already displaying those traits.

"He really perseveres."