Picton teachers Jack and Kirsty Saxon discussed names for their first child for some time before settling on the name Ruby.
The name came up after the couple talked about their pupils and their experiences with those children.
"We wanted to choose a name which did not evoke memories or characteristics of students we had taught in the past," Mrs Saxon said.
Neither had taught children with the names they considered for their own baby.
They were not the only ones last year to name their newborn Ruby, according to the Internal Affairs Department.
It was the most popular for girls and Liam was the most popular boys' name.
Ruby overtook Sophie as the most popular name after jumping from third spot last year.
Olivia remained in second place.
The name Liam was bestowed upon 315 baby boys, making it the most popular for the second year running,
Joshua made the leap from sixth to second.
Mrs Saxon said the couple had a shortlist of names when she went for her 18-week scan and once the couple found out they were having a girl the name Ruby was the clear winner. Despite learning of the popularity of the name closer to the birth, the couple still liked the name, she said.
Ruby had connotations of something precious and special, she said.
Ruby's middle name Gwenyth was inspired by Kirsty's maternal grandmother and her other middle name Aislin is Gaelic for dream or vision, which commemorated her birth on St Patrick's Day.
Blenheim couple Michaela and Andrew Barnes named their son Liam and said they experienced deja-vu when they found out the name was on the top of the list.
"The same thing happened to our daughter Sophie when she was born four years ago. The next year it was the most popular name so we've been hit twice now."
Liam, now 9 months old, shares his dad's middle name, Mark.
The couple, who moved from Alexandra about six months ago, chose the names because they suited their children, not because they were popular.
Mrs Barnes said they shortlisted the names Liam and Blake and she was put off by the name when she saw Liam was ranked at the top of the list last year.
"But once he was born it suited him and we still liked it."
A look through last year's birth notices in the Marlborough Express did not reflect the top 20 names and showed some less traditional names such as Lachie, Ada, Alena and Emmeline.
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Top 10 girls' names (2010 placing in brackets):
1. Ruby (3)
2. Olivia (2)
3. Sophie (1)
4. Isabella (5)
5. Charlotte (4)
6. Grace (15)
7. Ella (7)
8. Lily (6)
9. Emily (9)
10. Amelia (13)
Top 10 boys' names (2010 placing in brackets):
1. Liam (1)
2. Joshua (6)
3. Oliver (3)
4. Lucas (10)
5. William (5)
6. Noah (13)
7. Samuel (9)
8. James (2)
9. Benjamin (7)
10. Jack (4)
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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