the essential
“Today, new parents are returning to more classic first names” underlines Anne Soulier, head of the civil status service in Tarbes.
What are the first names of newborns that were most popular in 2024 by new parents, when registering their children at the civil registry in Tarbes? The answer is often of interest to the general public, either out of curiosity or to give ideas to new parents who may be lacking inspiration.
“Contrary to a period when parents tended to give their children first names “in keeping with the times”, today, they are returning to more classic first names” underlines Anne Soulier, head of the civil status service in Tarbes where are located the two maternity hospitals in Hautes-Pyrénées.
A sometimes surprising list
Thus, Louis among boys and Louis and Emma among girls monopolize the first places in the ranking, although they did not appear there in 2023. Among boys, among the sure values, Raphaël, second in 2023, is still in the Top 3, behind Arthur (3rd in 2023). Followed in order by Jules, Noah, Gabin (1st in 2023), Léon, Léo, Élio, Sohan.
Among the girls, Ambre and Romy (nostalgia for the famous Sissi actress?) are still among the first places as in 2023, ahead of Giulia, Jade, Léna, Julia and Alba who tumbles from her 2023 throne but still remains in the list of preferred first names of new Tarbes parents. The 2024 list is therefore a clever mix between “vintage” first names that have come back into fashion and furiously “trendy” ones.
“Even if they are not in the top places in 2024, we also have a lot of foreign-sounding first names” adds Anne Soulier, reflecting the diversity of the population.
Another fundamental change: while the demographic trend has given the advantage, for decades, to girls, boys are now in the majority of births: 767 in 2024 for 740 girls.
Good news despite the drop in births
Following the national trend, the total number of births (1,507) marks time compared to 2023 (1,610). “Good news, however, the natural balance remains largely positive,” rejoices Anne Soulier, even if the number of deaths increases slightly compared to 2023: 1,011 deaths were recorded in 2024, only 964 in 2023.
