Authorities in Zurich have released a list of the most popular baby names recorded in the city over the last year. They discovered that baby names in Zurich continue to get shorter, with boys' and girls' names averaging only 5,3 letters and 2,4 syllables.

Shorter baby names now more common in Switzerland

Last year, 5.261 births were registered in Zurich, with families across the city choosing 2.450 unique names. The authorities noted that shorter names are becoming increasingly popular, with first names being one letter shorter now than the national average 30 years ago.

In the last year, the popularity of middle names has also risen, with 57 percent of newborns in Zurich having at least one. Interestingly, the report found that those with shorter first names are up to 10 percent more likely to have a middle name.

Most popular boys' name in Zurich

For boys, the name Noah was the most popular in Zurich in 2021, with 27 newborns being given the biblical name. This continues a trend seen in baby names across Switzerland, with Noah also being the most popular boys' name nationally in 2020. The top 10 most popular boys' names in Zurich last year were:

• 1. Noah (27)
• 2. Leo (24)
• 3. Louis (22)
• 4. Theo (20)
• =5. Levi (18) 
• =5. Luca (18) 
• =5. Mateo (18)
• =8. Luis (17)
• =8. Maximilian (17)
• =10. Felix (16) 
• =10. Finn (16) 
• =10. Leonardo (16) 
• =10. Liam (16)

Most popular girls' name in Zurich

The report found that the most popular girls' name in Zurich was Sofia / Sophia with 44 registrations in 2021, followed by Olivia with 28 and Emma with 25. The top ten girls' names in Zurich in 2021 were:

• 1. Sofia / Sophia (44)
• 2. Olivia (28)
• 3. Emma (25)
• 4. Anna (24) 
• 5. Ella (24)
• 6. Mia (22) 
• 7. Elena (20)
• 8. Charlotte (19)
• 9. Lina (18)
• 10. Sophie (17)

Swiss names now far more diverse than 30 years ago

In concluding their report, authorities said that names have become increasingly diverse in the Swiss city over the past three decades. Since 1990, when there were only 40 different names per 100 people, the number of unique names has increased to 47 names per 100 for boys and 48 names per 100 for girls. To see the full list of every first name recorded in Zurich in 2021, check out the official website.