The first moments of 2026 in Montreal were marked by the joyous arrivals of two newborn girls, each claiming a "first" title at major city hospitals. The race to be the year's first baby saw two close contenders, bringing double the celebration to the region.
A New Year, Arriving in Seconds
At the stroke of midnight, the Jewish General Hospital welcomed who is believed to be Montreal's very first newborn of the year. Liana Kalfopoulos entered the world a mere two seconds after the clock struck twelve. According to the hospital, the healthy baby girl weighed six pounds and nine ounces.
Her parents, Arpi Zourikian and Constantinos Kalfopoulos, were described by the hospital as "thrilled to meet their new little one." The family is reported to be happy and healthy following the birth.
Another First Birth Minutes Later
Less than an hour later, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) celebrated its own New Year's milestone. Sophia was born at 12:46 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026, earning the distinction of the MUHC's first baby of the new year.
She weighed seven pounds and fifteen ounces. The hospital confirmed that both baby Sophia and her mother, Miriam Azer, are in good health. The baby's father, Maged Youssef, was present for the birth. The new family resides in Vaudreuil.
The Popularity of Names in Quebec
The choices of Liana and Sophia reflect ongoing naming trends in the province. According to the latest available data from Retraite Québec for the year 2024, 70 babies in Quebec were named Liana, while 140 were named Sophia.
That same year, Emma led as the most popular girls' name with 461 instances. For boys, Noah was the top choice, given to 572 newborns. The agency typically releases the official list of top names for a given year, such as 2025, several months after its conclusion.
The simultaneous arrival of these two girls highlights the continuous cycle of life and community in Montreal's healthcare institutions. Their births, moments apart in the early hours of New Year's Day, symbolize a fresh start and shared hope for families across the region.
