The baby names that parents in the UK love the most have been revealed – and some may surprise you.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has now released its annual figures for the most popular baby names in England and Wales. The data always reflects the year just gone, so the list makes up the top 100 names for boys and girls from 2023.
This year, Muhammad has overtaken Noah as the top name for baby boys, with Noah dropping to second place after coming in first in 2021 and 2022, followed by Oliver. Muhammad was the second most popular name last year and has been in the top 10 since 2016. Back in 2012, it ranked only 20th so it’s climbed up the list significantly over the past decade.
Meanwhile, there have been no changes to the top three names for baby girls, with Olivia, Amelia and Isla, coming up top. Unsurprisingly, Olivia has stolen the crown as the most popular baby girl’s name for the eighth year in a row.
Regionally, Olivia was the most popular girl’s name in five out of nine regions in England and the most popular in Wales. Muhammad was the top moniker for boys in four out of nine regions but was ranked 63rd in Wales.
It seems parents have been opting for more unusual names this year with some less traditional monikers joining the top 100 list. The new additions to the girls’ list include Hazel, Lilah, Autumn, Nevaeh and Raya. Autumn appeared more popular during its respective season and ranked 96th overall. Hazel was ranked 91st, Lilah was 95th and Nevaeh and Raya in the last two spots.
The boys’ list saw the addition of Jax, Enzo and Bodhi, with Jax soaring to 87th despite being its first year on the list. Enzo came 95th while Bodhi was ranked 100th. Interestingly, there were more unique names and spellings for girls than boys overall, suggesting parents are choosing from a smaller pool of names for baby boys.
Trends and seasons have also impacted the names chosen by parents, with Holly, Robyn, and Joseph more popular in December and Summer and Autumn popular in their respective seasons. The Kardashian-Jenner family continued to inspire parents, with Reign and Saint, and Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, and Margot Robbie also sparked some names.
Royal names were less popular this year, showing the variety of modern influences on baby names. Poppy was the most popular name in November, likely because of the connection with Remembrance Day and poppies.
Top names for baby girls:
- Olivia
- Amelia
- Isla
- Lily
- Freya
- Ava
- Ivy
- Florence
- Willow
- Isabella
- Poppy
- Sophia
- Evelyn
- Elsie
- Sienna
- Mia
- Daisy
- Grace
- Sofia
- Phoebe
- Rosie
- Harper
- Charlotte
- Evie
- Millie
- Bonnie
- Ella
- Emily
- Maya
- Matilda
- Aria
- Delilah
- Penelope
- Hallie
- Mila
- Maeve
- Ada
- Luna
- Ruby
- Mabel
- Maisie
- Violet
- Arabella
- Margot
- Emilia
- Isabelle
- Esme
- Lottie
- Aurora
- Alice
- Sophie
- Eva
- Layla
- Ayla
- Rose
- Orla
- Olive
- Eleanor
- Imogen
- Eliza
- Iris
- Harriet
- Thea
- Robyn
- Chloe
- Erin
- Bella
- Elizabeth
- Ottilie
- Nancy
- Emma
- Scarlett
- Zara
- Ophelia
- Elodie
- Lyla
- Maryam
- Maria
- Lola
- Lyra
- Nova
- Ellie
- Jessica
- Gracie
- Fatima
- Summer
- Eden
- Molly
- Amelie
- Clara
- Hazel
- Darcie
- Lara
- Hannah
- Lilah
- Autumn
- Nellie
- Jasmine
- Nevaeh
- Raya
Top names for baby boys:
- Muhammad
- Noah
- Oliver
- George
- Leo
- Arthur
- Luca
- Theodore
- Oscar
- Henry
- Theo
- Freddie
- Archie
- Arlo
- Jude
- Alfie
- Charlie
- Jack
- Thomas
- Finley
- Harry
- Albie
- Teddy
- Jacob
- Lucas
- Tommy
- Isaac
- Mohammed
- William
- Edward
- Elijah
- Roman
- Rory
- Alexander
- James
- Louie
- Reuben
- Ezra
- Oakley
- Joshua
- Adam
- Sebastian
- Hudson
- Max
- Louis
- Ronnie
- Ethan
- Hugo
- Harrison
- Mason
- Rowan
- Reggie
- Benjamin
- Joseph
- Albert
- Sonny
- Hunter
- Jaxon
- Jesse
- Daniel
- Zachary
- Samuel
- Frederick
- Gabriel
- David
- Logan
- Dylan
- Mohammad
- Frankie
- Otis
- Liam
- Caleb
- Felix
- Kai
- Jasper
- Alfred
- Toby
- Grayson
- Yusuf
- Riley
- Rupert
- Brody
- Ibrahim
- Finn
- Musa
- Carter
- Jax
- Michael
- Chester
- Stanley
- Leon
- Milo
- Bobby
- Elliot
- Enzo
- Elias
- Ellis
- Ralph
- Myles
- Bodhi
