Feb 16 β€’ 07:37 UTC πŸ‡©πŸ‡° Denmark Politiken

Anne and Peter are (still) the most common names

The names Anne and Peter have topped the Danish name lists for the 14th consecutive year, with Nielsen continuing to be the most common surname.

According to new statistics released by Statistics Denmark, the names Anne and Peter have maintained their positions as the most popular given names in Denmark for the 14th consecutive year. The data, which was compiled for the entire population as of January 1, 2026, reveals that common trends in naming continue to favor shorter, traditional names. Alongside Anne, Mette and Kirsten also rank high among the most frequently used female names across various age groups. On the male side, alongside Peter are Michael and Lars.

Interestingly, while the preference for shorter first names remains evident, the surname landscape is dominated by names ending in -sen. Out of the top 20 surnames in Denmark, 19 feature this suffix, signifying a strong cultural tradition in family naming conventions. Following Nielsen, the other most common surnames are Jensen and Hansen, which similarly reflect this linguistic characteristic.

When categorizing names by age groups, a notable generational shift is evident in the top names. For younger children aged 1-19, the name William emerges as a favorite among boys, while for girls, the names Alma and Emma reach the top of the list in these same age categories. This data illustrates not only a continuity in some traditional names but also hints at evolving cultural preferences among newer generations of parents in Denmark.

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