Noah and Oliver have been battling for the top spot in England and Wales. Other consistently popular names include George, Arthur, Muhammad, Leo, Harry, Oscar, Charlie, and Jack. Current trends include vintage British names (Arthur, Theodore, Alfie, Archie), one-syllable names (Jude, Max, Kai, Finn), and names climbing fast (Luca, Arlo, Bodhi, Otis). The full rankings are published annually by the ONS.
Based on the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for England and Wales, the top 10 baby boy names are:
| Rank | Name | Movement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Noah | Steady at #1 |
| 2 | Oliver | Steady |
| 3 | George | Up |
| 4 | Arthur | Up |
| 5 | Muhammad | Steady |
| 6 | Leo | Up |
| 7 | Harry | Steady |
| 8 | Oscar | Steady |
| 9 | Charlie | Steady |
| 10 | Jack | Down slightly |
Noah overtook Oliver for the top spot recently after Oliver had held #1 for nearly a decade. Arthur''s rise into the top 5 reflects the massive trend for vintage British names. Muhammad (and its various spellings) has been in the top 10 for several years, reflecting the UK''s diverse population.
Beyond the top 10, popular boy names include Henry, Theodore, Freddie, Archie, Alfie, Thomas, Luca, Finley, Isaac, Lucas, Teddy, Alexander, Ethan, James, William, Edward, Arlo, Jacob, Sebastian, Max, Logan, Harrison, Reuben, Daniel, Mason, Elijah, Jude, Roman, Ezra, Hudson, Dylan, Kai, Finn, Toby, Jasper, Caleb, Hugo, Reggie, Blake, Louie, Felix, Adam, Joshua, Samuel, Liam, Nathan, Riley, Zachary, and Aaron.
Vintage British names. Arthur, Theodore, Freddie, Alfie, Archie, Teddy, Reggie, and Hugo are all climbing. These names have an old-fashioned charm that feels both distinguished and friendly. The Edwardian era seems to be the primary source of inspiration.
Short, punchy names. One-syllable names and two-syllable names are dominant: Noah, Leo, Max, Jude, Kai, Finn, and Arlo. Parents are gravitating toward names that are easy to say, easy to spell, and strong-sounding.
International influences. Luca (Italian), Arlo (potentially Germanic), Hugo (European), Ezra (Hebrew), Roman (Latin), and Kai (multiple origins) reflect an increasingly global naming culture in the UK. For culturally specific options, explore our Arabic baby names and Islamic baby names guides.
Rising fast. Names to watch include Bodhi, Atlas, Otis, Bear, and Sonny — all climbing rapidly from outside the top 50. These names feel modern and distinctive without being too unusual.
Classic stalwarts. James, William, Edward, Thomas, Henry, and Alexander remain solidly popular. These are names that never truly go out of fashion and appeal to parents who want something timelessly reliable.
Say the full name aloud including surname and middle name to check the rhythm. Consider how the name will be shortened — most names get abbreviated, so make sure you like the likely nickname. Think about how the name will suit an adult in professional settings. Check the initials do not spell anything unintended.
If you and your partner cannot agree, try our guide on how to choose a baby name when you cannot agree. You can also use Nuhah''s baby name generator to discover names by origin, style, and meaning.
Noah recently overtook Oliver for the top spot in England and Wales, based on ONS data. Oliver had held #1 for nearly a decade.
Vintage British names (Arthur, Theodore, Freddie), short strong names (Leo, Max, Jude, Kai), and international names (Luca, Arlo, Hugo, Ezra) are the key trends.
Yes. Muhammad (including all spelling variations) has been in the top 10 for England and Wales for several years, reflecting the UK's diverse and multicultural population.
Bodhi, Atlas, Otis, Bear, and Sonny are among the fastest risers. Luca, Arlo, and Theodore have also seen significant jumps in recent years.
The ONS publishes annual data for England and Wales. National Records of Scotland covers Scotland and NISRA covers Northern Ireland.
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