(Staff)  Four of the five top names for Canadian boys in 2004/5 were biblical. Most popular was Ethan/Ethen meaning "solid, enduring" in Hebrew; Ethan was an Old Testament wise man. Second was Matthew which means “gift of YAHWEH." St Matthew, also called Levi, was an apostle and gospel writer. The third, Joshua, means "YAHWEH is salvation." Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan by Moses (Num. 13:16; see also Ex. 17 & 24). Joshua succeeded Moses after he died (Book of Joshua). The name Jesus is derived from Joshua. Jacob/Jakob placed fourth. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebecca and the father of the twelve founders of the twelve tribes of Israel. He was born holding the heel of his twin brother Esau and his name means "supplanter" or possibly “may God protect" (Gen. 25-49).

The fifth most popular boy’s name was Nicholas/Nickolas. St Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop from Anatolia who, according to legend, saved the daughters of a poor man from prostitution. He is also known as Santa Claus (from Dutch Sinterklaas) and is the patron saint of children, sailors and merchants, and Greece and Russia. Sixth on the list was Aidan/Aiden, an Irish bishop and saint (d. 651) who was instrumental in evangelizing northern England. 

Two of the five top girls’ names for 2004/5 were also biblical. Most popular was Emma followed by Emily/Emilie, Sarah, Madison/ Madisyn and Hannah/Hanna. Sarah/Sara means "lady" or "princess" in Hebrew; Sarah was the wife of Abraham and the mother of Isaac (Gen. 11-12, 16-18, 21, 23 and Hebrews 11:11). Hannah/Hanna means "favour" or "grace" in Hebrew; Hannah was the mother of the prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 1-2). The Latin version of Hannah is Anna.