Next week, 43,171 Janis and 9,525 Liga will celebrate their name day. Compared to last year, the number of bearers of both traditional Latvian names has decreased, according to data from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs.
On June 24, 43,171 Janis will celebrate their name day — 922 fewer than the previous year. Meanwhile, on June 23, 9,525 Liga will celebrate their name day, which is 54 fewer compared to 2025.
Among the children born in Latvia this year, the name Janis was given to 40 boys, while the name Liga was given to only six girls.
While the number of Ligas in the country has remained relatively stable in recent decades, the popularity of the name Janis is noticeably declining. Parents are increasingly choosing not to select this traditional Latvian name for their children.
Statistics show a consistent trend. In 2025, there were 44,093 Janis and 9,579 Liga in Latvia, in 2024 — 44,994 Janis and 10,314 Liga. In 2022, 47,185 Janis and 9,820 Liga celebrated their name days, while in 2021 — 48,311 Janis and 9,871 Liga.
Changes are even more noticeable over a longer period. In 2018, there were 51,549 Janis and 10,012 Liga registered in Latvia, in 2013 — 57,235 Janis and 10,501 Liga. In 2009, the country had 61,758 Janis and 10,806 Liga, and in 2004, the Register of Residents listed 67,244 Janis and 10,672 Liga.
Over the past two decades, the number of Janis in Latvia has decreased by almost 24,000, while the number of Liga remains relatively stable. Despite the decline in the popularity of traditional names among newborns, Janis and Liga continue to be an integral part of Latvian culture and the main summer celebrations — Ligo and Jāņi.
