A survey of birth notices in The Standard last year showed Isabelle (and variations) to be the clear winner for baby girls, while Harry proved to be the classic favourite for parents with new sons.

Thomas and Emily, two new additions to the district’s most favoured, also cropped up frequently, alongside Oliver, a steady contender in the birth notices over recent years.

The top names of 2010, Archie and Sophie, retained a spot in this year’s list but were bumped down by Charlie, which was 10th last year, and Grace (fifth).

Warrnambool’s Jess Scanlan-Chatfield, mother of four-month-old Harry Chatfield, said her son’s name was the only one she and her husband could agree on.

“We learned afterwards my great-grandfather’s uncle was named Harry but that’s the only connection,” she said.

“We both just liked it.”

The most popular baby names in the south-west for 2011

GIRLS

BOYS

• Harry ................................................. 9

Source: The Standard classifieds

Baby Isabelle Witcombe was born on October 29. Her parents Nicole and James said they never would have expected their favourite name to match up with the rest of the district.

“It’s exciting,” Mrs Witcombe said.

“Normally it’s in the top 10, not the most popular,” Mr Witcombe said.

Last year was unlucky for the name Jack, which disappeared from the south-west’s top choices, despite being the state’s most popular child’s name last decade. Bailey and Max also failed to make an impact last year after recurring consistently throughout 2009 and 2010.

Conversely, Mia and Amelia returned to the girls’ favourites list, with Lachlan also making a comeback for boys after two years out of favour.

Ava tied at second place after failing to make the cut in 2010. Different girls’ names included Halaynah, Ivy, Tiori, Paegan, Honey, Avery, Akeevah, Dakota, Athena and Summer.

More creative parents named their sons Diesel, Buddy, Slater, Milo, Griffin, Atticus, Lennox, Rusty, Jagger and Chester.