Nathan and Emma: France's most popular baby names

Emma, Jade, Zoé and Nathan, Lucas, Jules are the most favoured names for new babies in France, according to the latest statistics published in the annual guide to first names, L'Officiel des Prénoms.
The guide is compiled using statistics from birth registers across France and is a favourite with parents looking to choose a name for their new child.
Emma has kept the top spot from last year's ranking while Nathan edged ahead of Lucas. According to the guide's author, Stéphanie Rapoport, older names are making a comeback.
"These are the values of safety," she told newspaper Le Parisien. "We like them because they're original yet they make reference to the past. It's reassuring for parents who want to be able to refer to history to justify their choice."
The influence of biblical names on this year's boy's list is a major feature. Gabriel (5th place), Raphaël (8th), Noah (11th) and Adam (16th) have all moved up the table.
The impact of immigration in France as well as a wider awareness of other cultures is revealed in the higher number of foreign-sounding names. These include, for boys, the Italian Enzo (4th) and Greek Timéo (14th) and, for girls, Spanish-sounding Inès (7th) and the Hawaiian name Louna (18th).
Firmly out of favour are English-sounding names which were popular in the 1980s and 1990s, such as Kevin, Steven and Jennifer, particularly inspired by American TV shows.
"At the time, they seemed new and original, but they've quickly come to be seen as old-fashioned and even a bit working class" said Stéphanie Rapoport.
Children's names are not subject to laws in France, allowing parents the freedom to choose the names they want.
Top 20 names for boys
1 Nathan
2 Lucas
3 Jules
4 Enzo
5 Gabriel
6 Louis
7 Arthur
8 Raphaël
9 Mathis
10 Ethan
11 Noah
12 Hugo
13 Léo
14 Timéo
15 Tom
16 Adam
17 Théo
18 Mathéo
19 Yanis
20 Maël
Top 20 names for girls
1 Emma
2 Jade
3 Zoé
4 Chloé
5 Léa
6 Manon
7 Inès
8 Maêlys
9 Louise
10 Lilou
11 Camille
12 Lola
13 Sarah
14 Eva
15 Clara
16 Lina
17 Léna
18 Louna
19 Romane
20 Anaïs
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