According to the annual reports published by the Central Statistics Office of Ireland, Sean and Sarah were the most popular babies' name registered in 2006. Sean returns to the top position it last held in 2004 and 2003 and Sarah returns to the top position it last held in 2002 and 2001.

There were 994 boys named Sean in 2006, 7 more than the number of boys named Jack and 698 girls were named Sarah, 105 more than the number of girls named Emma, the second most popular girls' name.

Exactly the same boys' names (Jack, Sean, Conor, Adam and James) have been in the top 5 since 1998, with only their order changing from year to year. There has been more change in girls' names: while Emma, Sarah and Aoife have been in the top 5 since 1998, Katie has only been in the top five since 2003, and Sophie is in the top 5 for the first time.

There were two first time entries to the top 100 for boys since 1998: Senan and Tristan. The highest new entry was Senan, which rose from the 223rd place in 2001 and 109th last year to reach the 96th place. The names rising the most places were Cameron (up 28 places), Calum (up 26 places) and Rory (up 23 places).

There were 3 first time entries to the top 100 for girls: Aoibheann, Aoibhinn and Jasmine. The highest new entry was Aoibheann, which climbed from 182nd place in 2002 and 121st last year to reach the 76th place. The names rising the most places were Jasmine (up 63 places to 87) and Alana (up 38 places to 94).

Irish girls are given a wider variety of names than boys. Over one in three girls (38.9%) were given a name not in the top 100, compared with 29.9% of boys.

Sean was the most popular name in the Midland, Dublin and Mid-East regions. Jack was the most popular in the Border, West, Mid-West, South- East and the South-West regions.

Emma was the most popular girls' name in the Midland and Mid-West region. Sarah was the most popular in the West, Mid-East, South-East and South-West. Katie was the most popular name in the Border region and Sophie in the Dublin region.

These results are based on an analysis of the first names recorded on birth returns for registration and vital statistics, begun by the Central Statistics Office of Ireland in 1998. All birth notifications in 2006 included baby's first name when the statistical return was sent to the CSO.

Source: Annual reports published by the Central Statistics Office, Ireland.