Olivia has held the top spot for baby girl names in England and Wales for multiple years running. Other consistently popular names include Amelia, Isla, Ava, Ivy, Freya, Lily, Florence, Mia, and Willow. Current trends include nature names (Ivy, Willow, Iris, Violet), vintage revivals (Florence, Elsie, Ada, Margot), and short one-to-two-syllable names. The full rankings are published annually by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Based on the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for England and Wales, the top 10 baby girl names are:
| Rank | Name | Movement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olivia | Steady at #1 |
| 2 | Amelia | Steady at #2 |
| 3 | Isla | Up |
| 4 | Ava | Steady |
| 5 | Ivy | Up |
| 6 | Freya | Up |
| 7 | Lily | Steady |
| 8 | Florence | Up |
| 9 | Mia | Steady |
| 10 | Willow | Up |
Olivia has been the most popular girl''s name in England and Wales for several consecutive years, a remarkable run of dominance. Amelia has been a strong #2 for equally long. The rest of the top 10 shows the rising influence of nature-inspired names and short, strong choices.
Beyond the top 10, popular choices include Rosie, Sophia, Isabella, Grace, Daisy, Sienna, Poppy, Ella, Evie, Layla, Maisie, Alice, Harper, Aria, Ruby, Elsie, Matilda, Emilia, Luna, Phoebe, Charlotte, Bonnie, Emily, Eva, Sofia, Millie, Maya, Penelope, Violet, Iris, Ada, Margot, Thea, Lottie, Aurora, Georgia, Eliza, Hallie, Orla, Bella, Molly, Hannah, Esme, Chloe, Zara, Ayla, Scarlett, Arabella, Darcy, and Robyn.
Note that rankings can vary between England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The most recent full data is published annually by the ONS, National Records of Scotland, and NISRA respectively.
Nature names are dominant. Ivy, Willow, Iris, Violet, Daisy, Poppy, Flora, Hazel, and Wren are all climbing the rankings. This trend has been building for several years and shows no sign of slowing. Nature names feel fresh yet timeless, which appeals to many parents.
Vintage revivals. Names that were popular 100+ years ago are making a strong comeback: Florence, Elsie, Ada, Margot, Edith, Beatrice, and Ivy herself. These names feel both classic and distinctive.
Short and strong. One and two-syllable names continue to dominate: Ava, Mia, Ivy, Ada, Iris, Thea, Orla, and Zara. Longer, more elaborate names like Isabella and Arabella remain popular but the trend is toward simplicity.
Cultural diversity. The UK''s multicultural population is reflected in the rising popularity of names from various cultural traditions. Ayla (Turkish), Layla (Arabic), Zara (Arabic/Hebrew), and Aria (Italian/Persian) all feature in the top 100. For more culturally specific suggestions, see our guides to Arabic baby names and South Asian baby names.
Literary and mythological. Names with literary or mythological connections continue to appeal: Aurora (Sleeping Beauty / Roman goddess of dawn), Penelope (Greek mythology), Athena, and Freya (Norse goddess).
Say the full name out loud, including the surname, to check how it flows. Consider initials and potential nicknames. Think about how the name will suit an adult as well as a baby. If you are torn between options, see our guide on how to choose a baby name. Try out the name for a few days before committing. You have 42 days after birth to register the name in England and Wales.
Looking for more inspiration? Try Nuhah''s baby name generator to explore names by origin, style, and meaning.
Olivia has been the most popular girl's name in England and Wales for several consecutive years, based on ONS data. Amelia is a strong and consistent second.
Nature names (Ivy, Willow, Iris, Violet), vintage revivals (Florence, Elsie, Ada, Margot), and short strong names (Ava, Mia, Thea, Orla) are the dominant trends.
You have 42 days after the birth to register the name in England and Wales, 21 days in Scotland, and 42 days in Northern Ireland.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes annual data for England and Wales. National Records of Scotland and NISRA cover Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively.
Yes. Names from Arabic, Turkish, South Asian, and other cultural traditions are rising in the UK rankings, reflecting the country's diverse population.
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