Choosing the perfect name for a child is an exciting yet challenging task for parents. In the United Kingdom, naming trends have evolved over the years, reflecting a blend of tradition and contemporary influences. Ultimately, the goal is to choose a name that resonates with the parents and their child, embracing both individuality and cultural significance.

Trends and Influences:

Several trends and influences have shaped the naming choices of UK parents in recent years. Traditional names continue to hold a strong presence, showcasing the nation’s rich history and cultural heritage. However, contemporary influences such as popular culture, celebrity trends, and global inspirations have also made their mark on naming preferences.

Celebrity-inspired names have gained traction, with parents looking to iconic figures in entertainment, sports, and royalty for inspiration. Names such as Harper (inspired by Harper Beckham), Charlotte (after Princess Charlotte), and Archie (son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle) have seen a rise in popularity.

Noah was the most popular boys’ name in England and Wales in 2021, replacing Oliver from the previous year, while Olivia remained the top name for girls for the sixth year in a row.

Henry replaced Jack in the top 10 names for boys, while Freya, Florence, and Willow replaced Isabella, Rosie, and Sophia for girls; this is the first time Jack has not been in the top 10 since our annual series began in 1996.

Mothers aged over 35 years continued to be more likely to have babies with more traditional names such as Thomas, while younger mothers’ babies were more likely to have shortened versions, such as Tommy.

Muhammad was the most popular boys’ name in four out of nine English regions, while Olivia was the top girls’ name for every English region and Wales, except for the East Midlands where Amelia was the most popular girl’s name.

New entries this year to the top 100 include Lara, Beatrice, and Sara for girls and Blake, Brody, Kai, Rupert, Tobias, and Nathan for boys; this is the first time that Rupert and Brody have been in the top 100.

Baby names of Welsh origin featured among the most popular in Wales in 2021; Alys, Ffion, Seren, and Eira were among the top 50 for girls and Arthur, Osian, Dylan, and Elis were among the top 30 for boys.

To help you navigate through this delightful journey, we have compiled a list of the top 100 baby boys’ and girls names in the UK. From classic and timeless names to modern and trendy ones, this comprehensive guide will inspire and assist you in finding the ideal name for your little bundle of joy.

Top 100 Baby Names for Boys in England and Wales (UK) in 2021

RankNameCountChange in rank since 2020
1Noah4,525+3
2Oliver4,167-1
3George4,141-1
4Arthur3,766-1
5Muhammad3,7220
6Leo3,4650
7Harry3,089+1
8Oscar3,071 -1
9Archie2,9280
10Henry 2,912 +1
11Theodore2,889+3
12Freddie 2,873+1
13Jack2,847 -3
14Charlie2,674-2
15Theo 2,514+2
16Alfie2,338+2
17Jacob2,319+2
18Thomas2,302 -3
19Finley 2,283-3
20Arlo2,154+7
21William2,093-1
22Lucas1,965+3
23Roman 1,923+5
24Tommy1,901-2
25Isaac1,888-4
26Teddy1,875 +5
27Alexander1,830-1
28Luca 1,807+17
29Edward1,8060
30James1,772-6
31Joshua1,737-8
32Albie1,729+3
33Elijah 1,657 -3
34Max1,650-1
35Mohammed1,619-3
36Reuben1,534+8
37Mason1,517+5
38Sebastian 1,516+1
39Rory1,483 +4
40Jude1,482+13
41Louie1,461+5
42Benjamin1,423-2
43Ethan 1,398-7
44Adam1,367-10
45Hugo1,325+6
46Joseph1,307 -8
47Reggie1,287+1
48Ronnie1,285+6
49Harrison 1,254-8
50Louis1,240+2
51Ezra1,226+8
52Jaxon1,210-3
53Logan1,192 -16
54Daniel1,150-4
55Zachary 1,146+1
56Samuel1,123-9
57Dylan1,099-2
58Albert1,091-1
59Hudson1,069+10
60Hunter1,042 -2
61Frederick 1,017+2
62David961-2
63Rowan938+8
64Jesse929+4
65Frankie920-4
66Toby918-4
67Oakley908+15
68Grayson 903 -2
69Carter825-5
70Riley817-3
71Felix807+6
72Finn788+1
73Bobby772-3
74Blake 771+28
75Sonny762+6
76Caleb758 +9
77Gabriel749-12
78Michael749-3
79Jasper742-1
80Alfred739+11
81Otis 737+15
82Stanley724-8
83Milo719-3
84Mohammad719 -9
85Ralph692+10
86Liam690-7
87Chester680-3
88Ellis 670+1
89Elliot664-6
90Brody645+36
91Charles639-3
92Kai639 +12
93Rupert631+13
94Yusuf628-1
95Harvey 627-9
96Ollie613-4
97Jackson607-7
98Tobias596+6
99Nathan595+12
100Myles592-2
Source: Office for National Statistics – Baby names in England and Wales

Top 100 Baby Names for Girls in England and Wales (UK) in 2021

RankNameCountChange in rank since 2020
1Olivia3,6490
2Amelia3,1640
3Isla2,6830
4Ava2,5760
5Ivy2,245+1
6Freya2,187+6
7Lily2,1820
8Florence2,180+6
9Mia2,168-4
10Willow2,067+2
11Rosie2,028 -2
12Sophia2,019-2
13Isabella2,010-5
14Grace1,992-3
15Daisy1,873+9
16Sienna1,869+6
17Poppy1,8410
18Elsie1,840+1
19Emily1,797-4
20Ella1,756-4
21Evelyn1,7290
22Phoebe1,678 +3
23Sofia1,6710
24Evie1,670-6
25Charlotte1,654-5
26Harper1,480+2
27Millie1,472+6
28Matilda1,437+1
29Maya1,433+3
30Sophie1,375-4
31Alice1,359-4
32Emilia1,353-1
33Isabelle1,304+1
34Ruby1,300-4
35Luna 1,261+1
36Maisie1,229+5
37Aria1,202+2
38Penelope1,194+6
39Mila1,133+8
40Bonnie1,121+5
41Eva1,091-6
42Hallie1,070+7
43Eliza1,0640
44Ada1,058-6
45Violet1,057+3
46Esme1,013-4
47Arabella1,012-7
48Imogen998+4
49Jessica997-12
50Delilah981+12
51Lottie954+8
52Chloe932-6
53Thea917+4
54Layla917-2
55Eleanor915 -2
56Aurora910+8
57Margot892+23
58Mabel885+10
59Erin884-1
60Elizabeth862-4
61Emma860-1
62Scarlett858-12
63Harriet810-8
64Lola807+1
65Nancy797+1
66Orla794+6
67Ayla793+3
68Rose787-7
69Zara773+4
70Iris746+7
71Robyn739+3
72Bella730-9
73Molly729-19
74Olive691+25
75Maria682-5
76Lyla667+21
77Maeve654 +17
78Ellie638-11
79Gracie632-3
80Lyra630+12
81Darcie623-2
82Maryam621+4
83Edith613+2
84Heidi610+11
85Lucy607-16
86Myla602+2
87Amelie598-5
88Amber594 -5
89Hannah588-14
90Summer586+3
91Eden585+7
92Jasmine583-14
93Elodie576+3
94Clara 574-4
95Holly568-14
96Lilly551-5
97Anna545-8
98Lara539+3
99Beatrice515+10
100Sara511+2
Source: Office for National Statistics – Baby names in England and Wales