Vancouver Island Welcomes Its First Baby of 2025: Meet Zion!

As the clock struck midnight and the new year began, Vancouver Island celebrated the arrival of its first baby of 2025. Born just after the New Year at 12:07 a.m. at Victoria General Hospital, baby Zion Ebo Zormelo-Kika made a grand entrance weighing an impressive 8.3 pounds.

Island Health couldn't contain their excitement, sharing their congratulations with the family and extending holiday wishes to everyone in the community. “Congratulations to the family! Happy new year everyone!” they announced.

Zion was not only the first baby on the island but also the third to be born in British Columbia, trailing closely behind a baby born at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops at 12:02 a.m. that weighed 7.6 pounds. This momentous occasion reflects a vibrant start to what the government anticipates will be a busy year, with around 40,000 babies expected to be born across British Columbia in 2025.

Looking back at the previous year, 2024 recorded a total of 38,103 births from January 1 to December 16 across the province. In an interesting twist, the government also released the most popular baby names for 2024 recently; Oliver topped the charts for boys, up from second place the previous year, while Olivia maintained its reign as the most favored name for girls.

Furthermore, baby naming trends have also impacted the furry friends we adore. A pet service company, Rover, revealed that Luna and Charlie were among the most popular names for pets across Canada in 2024, emphasizing the trend of lovingly humanizing our pets.

With each New Year arrives a fresh wave of hopes and dreams, and for the families welcoming new life, it signifies the beginning of endless possibilities. Congratulations once again to Zion's family! Here's to a year filled with joy, health, and new beginnings.