Our Canadian name database contains 28.007 Canadian surnames and 37.541 Canadian first names categorized by gender and frequency. After payment you can download the Canadian name database in CSV, SQL or JSON format. In Canada we received a name and gender database from the Canadian government and merged it with publicly available data sets. To create the Canadian name database we used 539.053 validated Canadian social media profiles. We have a detailed explanation of our methodology and illustrate our approach with several examples.

Popular Canadian surnames

This table show popular Canadian surnames. In Canada, surnames are passed down through family lines, with the majority of people having a surname that is passed down from their father. Common surnames in Canada include Smith, Johnson, and Brown, which are also common in other English-speaking countries. Some Canadian surnames have French or Indigenous origins, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of the country. Additionally, many immigrants to Canada adopt a new surname or hyphenate their surname to reflect both their cultural heritage and their Canadian identity.

Surname Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Smith 3.046 0.6% American British Australian
Brown 1.791 0.3% American British Australian
Jones 1.499 0.3% American British Australian
Williams 1.434 0.3% American British Australian
Wilson 1.372 0.3% American British Australian
Johnson 1.282 0.2% American British Australian
Taylor 1.278 0.2% American British Australian
Macdonald 1.238 0.2% British American Australian
Martin 1.081 0.2% American Spanish British
Anderson 1.031 0.2% American British Australian
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 539.053 Canadian social media profiles.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this surname also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Canadian first names

Parents in Canada typically choose a first name for their child by considering personal preferences and cultural or family traditions. They may also consider the popularity of a name, as well as its meaning and significance. Some parents may also seek inspiration from books, movies, or other sources. Ultimately, the decision is a personal one and may involve a lot of discussion and consideration before a final choice is made.

Popular Canadian male names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
David 4.871 1.4% American British Spanish
Chris 4.457 1.3% American British Australian
Michael 4.256 1.3% American British German
John 3.829 1.1% American British Irish
Mike 3.571 1.1% American British Dutch
Andrew 3.118 0.9% American British Australian
Mark 3.109 0.9% American British Dutch
Paul 2.916 0.9% British American Dutch
Ryan 2.831 0.8% American British Australian
James 2.724 0.8% British American Australian
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 539.053 Canadian social media profiles from which 336.998 (63%) is male.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Popular Canadian female names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Sarah 2.836 1.4% British American Australian
Jennifer 2.187 1.1% American British German
Michelle 1.842 0.9% American British Australian
Lisa 1.788 0.9% American British German
Laura 1.730 0.9% British American Spanish
Jessica 1.729 0.9% American British Brazilian
Stephanie 1.527 0.8% American British French
Amanda 1.459 0.7% American British Brazilian
Nicole 1.346 0.7% American British German
Julie 1.339 0.7% American British French
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 539.053 Canadian social media profiles from which 202.055 (37%) is female.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.