THOMAS and Emily are top of the tots for baby names in Stevenage and North Herts. For the second year running, Thomas was the most popular name for baby boys registered at Stevenage Register office in 2006. Emily knocked 2005 s most popular girls name, L

THOMAS and Emily are top of the tots for baby names in Stevenage and North Herts.

For the second year running, Thomas was the most popular name for baby boys registered at Stevenage Register office in 2006.

Emily knocked 2005's most popular girls' name, Lily, off the top spot but Lily remains a favourite among new parents in the area, coming in third behind Amy/Aimee.

Jessica and Grace made up the rest of the girls' top five and Thomas was followed in the rankings by Jack, Charlie, Samuel and Callum.

Nationally the favourite girls' name was Olivia, which came in at number 15 in Stevenage and North Herts. The favourite boy's name in the country was Stevenage and North Herts' number two, Jack.

Some of the more unusual names registered in Stevenage in 2006 included Bethia, Storm, Mernly, Chenai, Ethylyn, Rothia, Jevan, Bibi and Sydelle for girls, and Draven, Uriah, Finty, Travis, Juno, Cayden, Oakley, Axel-Reno and Jenson for boys.

"Choosing the right name for your new baby is an important decision for new parents and, as a parent myself, I know how much thought goes into it," said county councillor Keith Emsall, executive member for the registration service.

Hertfordshire County Council offers a civil naming ceremony at its register offices, for parents who do not want a religious ceremony. For more information, visit www.hertsdirect.org and click on 'registrars'.

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