By ALESHA CAPONE
YOUNG William is in good company, with his name topping the list of most popular boy’s names in Victoria for 2013.
The Minister for Planning, Matthew Guy, recently announced the most popular baby’s names in Victoria during last year.
William and Charlotte took first place on the list for each gender, toppling the 2012 leaders of Jack and Olivia.
Three-year-old William, a Tullamarine resident, said he liked his name.
His mother, Amanda Issa, affectionately calls her son ’Billy bear’.
“When we found out we were having a boy, we knew we were naming him William and that was it,” she said.
“It’s just a really classic name. It won’t go out of style and it has got a nice presence to it, I think it’s one of those names for all age groups.
“I’ve always liked the way it sounds.”
Ms Issa said although there was a lot of media attention on Prince William’s marriage to Kate Middleton in 2011 and the birth of their son George last year, this was not the reason she chose the royal name for her son.
“I think it’s one of those names which really stands the test of time,” she said.
“No-one in our family has that name and I think it will give him his own sense of identity.”
Other popular boy’s names from last year included Oliver, Ethan, Thomas and James.
Among the most prevalent girl’s names were Ava, Mia, Emily and Sophie.
The state Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages reported 47 girls names and 67 boys names were registered 100 times or more during 2013.
Director Erin Keleher said parents chose names for reasons including honouring their family, tradition and popular culture.
