Almost four babies were born per week at the Katherine Hospital maternity ward last year.
The stork made 196 deliveries last year, a lean number when compared with previous years, according to the NT Registry of Births Death and Marriages.
There were 242 babies born in 2016, 225 in 2015, 267 in 2014 and 270 in 2013.
Take a look at some of the babies born in Katherine in the past year.
Katherine couple Phillipa Thompson and Jason Farrell welcomed their son Dustin into the world on January 8.
Ms Thompson said the pair named their son after Richmond Tiger’s player Dustin Martin.
“We are big Richmond fans and Dustin Martin is my favourite player so we named him Dustin,” Ms Thompson said.
“His dad is a really good AFL player, everyone like watching him play for the Jilkminggan Blues.
“I think Dustin will be a good player too.”
While there aren’t too many Dustins around, you are sure to run into a Charlotte in the Top End.
Charlotte, meaning free, has topped the list of most popular female baby names for the sixth consecutive year across the Northern Territory.
The name came roaring back into fashion after Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton named their daughter, Charlotte.
As for the boys, Oliver was the winner in every other state in the country but Jack was preferred by Northern Territory parents.
Noah sits in fourth place after coming in 19th place in 2015.
It appears the top names point to a returning trend to older style names.
Isabella, Grace and Olivia for girls and James, Noah and Jack for the boys.
Top 10 NT girl’s names for 2017
- Charlotte
- Olivia
- Ava
- Isabella
- Grace
- Amelia
- Mia
- Ruby
- Lily
- Sophie
Top 10 NT boy’s names for 2017
- Jack
- Mason
- Oliver
- Noah
- James
- William
- Logan
- Lucas
- Thomas
- Elijah
Across the NT there were 1813 females and 1898 males born in 2017.
The month with the highest births registered for 2017 was 407 in May.
Looking at census data over the last hundred years, we can’t help but identify a royal theme running throughout.
Mary, Margaret and Charles rose to fame in the early 20th century, with Harry peaking in the mid 1980’s.
George, who sat at number three in 1911, completely dropped out of fashion in the mid 20th century, has had a resurgence following the birth of the royal prince in 2013.
William is the moniker that made it into the top 10 most-preferred names almost every year for a century.
