The evolving demographics of New Zealand are reflected in Smith, once the most common surname, now slipping to a distant third.
In 2014, Smith was the most common surname for newborns in New Zealand. Ten years later, it had slipped to third place, overtaken by Singh and Kaur—reflecting the changing face of New Zealand society.
Last year, 680 newborns had the family name Singh, placing it in the top spot. It was closely followed by Kaur with 630 babies. Smith remained in third place with 300.
Singh and Kaur are common surnames in India and Nepal, particularly among Sikhs. They originate from Sanskrit, with Singh meaning “lion” and Kaur meaning “princess.”
This naming convention, established by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, aimed to remove caste-based distinctions and promote equality. Unlike many naming traditions, Sikh women typically retain Kaur rather than adopting a spouse’s surname in marriage.
‘A Diverse Country’: Minister Responds to Name Trends
New Zealand’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, welcomed the data.
“New Zealand is a diverse country, and it’s great to see that reflected in our family name data for 2024,” she said.
“Family names are a real gift for all children, as they reflect the rich history of each family [and the place from which] they originate.”
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The dominance of the Indian diaspora in both statistics was even more pronounced in the North Island, where Singh, Kaur, and Patel were the most common registered family names. In the South Island, Kaur, Singh, and Smith took the top spots.
New Zealand’s 2023 census recorded approximately 292,092 people of Indian descent—an increase of 22 percent since 2018.
In the year ending July 2024, 36,972 Indian citizens emigrated to New Zealand, a slight rise from 2023’s figure of 33,692.
In 2019, Indian immigrants numbered just 8,199.
New Zealand is now home to at least 20 Sikh gurdwara (temples), which provide community services such as food distribution, support during emergencies like COVID-19 lockdowns, and essential services for those in need, through initiatives like their “Langar,” a communal kitchen open to all.The evolving demographics of New Zealand are reflected in Smith, once the most common surname, now slipping to a distant third.
