The names Ava, Sophie and Matilda tied for second place among the year's baby girls, according to The Herald birth notices.

Cooper was followed in popularity for boys in the Hunter by Noah, Lachlan and Max.

Olivia for girls and Oliver for boys were equally common.

The names of celebrities' children, including Maddox, Cruz, Matilda and Oscar, also popped up.

There was also a Mischa, Miley, Charlize, Calista, Banjo, Chase and Diezel.

Names hyphenated with Rose, similar to actress Nicole Kidman's daughter Sunday Rose, were also popular.

More unusual baby names for the year included Atayah, Harpa and Ireland for girls and Coco, Daxton and Tavian for boys.

Phonetically spelt names included Alix, Ambah, Kloey, Kirar, Taylah, Jorja, Koopa and Maycee.

Biblical names such as Elijah, Jacob, Noah and Isaac continue to be given to newborn boys, and vintage names such as Maeve, Olive, Ivy, Violet, Molly, Ruby and Maisy are enjoying a renaissance among girls.

Sarah McGregor and Shane Eastwood, of Elermore Vale, said that despite the fact they came from Adelaide, their son Cooper was not named after the South Australia beer of the same name.

Cooper, two months, has two middle names, Andrew and Robert, which have links to friends and family.

"It took us quite a while to settle on a name; we just liked the name for no particular reason," Ms McGregor said of "Cooper".

"I wanted to pick a name that was slightly unusual, but I guess it's not so unusual."