Rising popularity of Māori names reflects growing biculturalism and te reo revitalisation

Aotearoa is witnessing a steady rise in the gift of te reo Māori names for newborns, a trend experts say reflects a shift toward biculturalism and the success of language revitalisation efforts. Recent Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) data shows that between 2021 and 2026, Māori names registered to pēpi remained stable at approximately 18,300 annually, marking a significant increase from 15,300 in 2015–16. Interdisciplinary Māori academic Karaitiana Taiuru (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Toa) attributes this growth partly to the kōhanga reo movement, which helped reclaim personal names. According to data cited by the NZ Herald and RNZ, names like Maia/Māia/Te Māia for kōtiro and Ariki/Āriki/Te Ariki for tama currently lead the rankings. Te Aroha has also remained a top five choice since 2022, famously chosen as a middle name by former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for her daughter in 2018 to reflect the support she received from iwi. While the trend is celebrated, Taiuru emphasizes the importance of research and respect for tikanga. He advises against using names of Māori deities like Papatūānuku or Tāne Mahuta, noting that such use is highly offensive. He also highlights that geographic place names, iwi, and hapū names are often sacred to specific whānau. Taiuru suggests that for those who are non-Māori, using a te reo name can be a positive way to show appreciation for the culture, provided it is done with consideration and without appropriation. Te Herenga Waka / Victoria University of Wellington researcher Awanui Te Huia notes that giving a Māori name comes with a responsibility to manaaki the child. She suggests that parents ensure children understand the historical context and privilege of carrying a Māori name, particularly given the historical trauma associated with the language under colonialism. The ongoing popularity of these names, she observes, represents a symbolic shift in how the language is embraced by general society.