Top Baby Names In UK For 2018

Names loved and approved by parents in the UK.

In the olden days, parents often chose baby names from the Bible, like David (beloved) or Elizabeth (my God is an oath). And even though these names are still popular today, the top UK baby names in 2018 indicate that parents are also considering options without religious significance. In 2018, Oliver (olive tree planter) topped the list as the most popular boy’s name, while Olivia (olive tree) was the favorite for girls in the UK. This indicated that parents are willing to explore new and fresh names.

Royal names like Harry (home ruler), George (farmer), Isabella (pledged to God), and Charlotte (free man) were also popular as these names indicated elegance and nobility. At the same time, simple names such as Max (the greatest), Eva (Mother of life), Finley (fair warrior), and Millie (gentle strength) also found a place on the popularity chart as parents were attracted to their deep meaning and innocent charm. The list below consists of the most popular baby names in the UK, compiled by the Office for National Statistics (1). Have a look to find a trendy and meaningful name for your little one.

In This Article

Browse Top Baby Names by Gender

Girl Boy

Browse Top Baby Names by Year

Name		Gender	Meaning
Amayah		Girl	The end; Mother city; Heavenly valley; Close to God; Night rain
Emaan:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity		Unisex	Faith
Ernie-Name-Meaning-In-6-Languages:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity		Girl	Serious; Earnest
Ray		Boy	Wise; Counsel; Decision; Beam of light
Edwin		Boy	Rich friend
Michal		Girl	Who is like God?; Brook
Ela		Girl	My God is an oath; Hazel; Earth
Juliette-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Youthful; Jove's child; Downy-bearded; Devoted to Jove
Genevieve		Girl	Woman of the race or tribe; Woman of the family
Karina		Boy	Pure; Beloved; Each of the two
Dante		Boy	Steadfast; Enduring
Yousef		Boy	Jehovah increases
Hasan-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Handsome
Ari-Name-Meaning:-6-Origins,-Variants,-And-Popularity-In-2025		Boy	Lion; Eagle; Brave; Most holy; Sun-like; Visible; Generous; Chief; Superior
Caelan		Boy	Slender; Victorious
Meredith		Boy	Great ruler
Kate-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Pure; Clear
Nelly		Girl	Shining light; Most beautiful woman; Corposant; Moon;
Ayra-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Respectable; Intelligence; Happiness; Honorable; Awe-inspiring; Vision-filled
Antonina		Girl	Priceless
Orion		Unisex	Light of the heavens; Boundary; Dawn
Sana-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Brilliance; Radiance; Splendor; Praise; Gauze; Thread; Summer
Mali		Girl	Jasmine; Industrious; Beloved; Bitter; Of Magdala; High tower; Vigorous; Brave; Ruler; Beautiful horse; The firstborn son; Strong; Queen
Dillon-Name-Guide:-Origin,-Meaning,-Variations,-And-Popularity		Boy	A loyal or faithful one
Steven		Unisex	Crown; Wreath; Renowned
Fox-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Traits		Unisex	Fox-catcher; Brave people
Sullivan		Unisex	One-eyed; Having dark eyes
Ayub		Boy	Other name of Job; Persecuted; Hated
Angelo		Boy	Messenger; Angel
Louise		Girl	Famous warrior
Ameera		Girl	Princess; Commander
Manha		Girl	A direction; A path of life; Gift from Allah; Many leaves
Anas-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity		Boy	Friendliness
Rueben		Boy	Behold, a son
Remi-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Oarsman; Rower; Lord consoles in me; Heaven; Sky
Scott		Boy	Gael, Gaelic speaker
Orson		Boy	Bear cub; Ormond's son
Rico-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Trends-For-2025		Boy	Brave commander; Powerful leader
Daniyal		Boy	God is a judge
Hawa		Girl	Air; Desire; To live; To breathe
Lea-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Delicate; Weary
Milly-Name-Meaning:-Full-Guide-To-Origin-And-History		Girl	Gentle strength
Jade-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Precious green stone; Stone of the bowels
Abbie		Girl	May father is joy; He rejoices; My father is light
Ayana		Girl	Beautiful flower; Color; Design; Spring water; Delicate
Ameerah		Girl	Princess; Commander
Kyla		Girl	Narrows; Channel; Strait; Victorious
Zidan		Boy	More; Increase; Excess; Rise; Growth
Kye		Boy	Ocean; To rejoice; Triumph; Victory
Idrees-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Interpreter; Studious; Smart; Ardent lord
Mateusz		Boy	Gift of Yahweh
Caiden		Boy	Strength; Battle spirit; Gentle
Jac		Boy	Yahweh may protect; Holder of heel
Hermione		Girl	Messenger
Asiya		Girl	Resurrection; Distressed; Grieved; Pensive; East
Emmy		Girl	Whole; Universal; Rival
Chelsea-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Chalk landing place
Juno		Girl	Young; Queen of the Heavens
Maira		Girl	Gleam; Shine; Sparkle
Aniyah		Girl	God is gracious
Elin		Girl	Bright; Shining; Sunbeam
Camilla-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Religious attendant; Priest's helper
Kornelia		Girl	Horn
Mira:-Baby-Name-Guide-For-2025,-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Girl	A wonderous beauty; Peace; Sea; Ocean; Glory; Merry; Kindness; Behold
Macy		Girl	Hill; Person from Massy; Gift of God
Aariz		Boy	Rain-bearing cloud; Intelligent; Respectable; Leader
Ariah		Girl	Song; Melody; Gold
Laith		Boy	Lion; Brave; Name of a Scottish village
Yousuf-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	God increases; God will add
Rudi		Girl	Famous wolf; Reddish
Curtis-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Courteous; Polite; Well-bred
Patryk		Boy	Patrician; Nobleman
Dawson		Boy	Son of David; Beloved; Uncle
Leonidas		Boy	Lion-like; Son of a lion; Lion
Hadley		Boy	Heather field
Malik-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	King; Wave; Sea
Wilbur		Boy	Wild boar; Will; Desire; Fortress
Faris		Boy	Rider; Horseman; Knight
Armaan		Boy	Desire; Wish; Strong desire
Harriett		Girl	House owner; Lord of the manor; One who rules the home
Safiya		Girl	Pure; Friend
Stephanie		Girl	Crown; Reward
Adele-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Variations-&-Popularity		Girl	Noble; Fair; Honest; Just
Caitlyn		Girl	Pure; Clear; Chaste
Cai-Name:-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	People's victory; Hard spear; Horn; To rejoice
Maverick-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity-&-Expert-Guide		Boy	Independent person who avoids conformity
Lawson		Boy	Son of Lawrence
Yasin		Boy	36th chapter of the Quran
Sumayyah		Girl	High up
Harlan		Boy	Hare's land; Flax
Veer		Boy	A brave person; Hero; Warrior; To be powerful or valiant; To make a heroic effort; Faith; True
Giovanni-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-Baby-Boy-Names		Boy	God is gracious
Tomos		Boy	One of the twin Boy
Justin-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-Variations:-2025-Guide-For-Parents		Boy	Fair; Just
Kiaan		Boy	God's grace; Being; Existence; Essence".
Rhea		Girl	Flowing stream; Ground
Mina		Girl	Precious blue stone; Love; A place near Makkah; Goddess of sun, moon, and stars; Fierce protector
Brianna		Girl	High; Power; Hill
Ruqayyah-Name:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-&-Pronunciation		Girl	Ascent; Spell; Charm; Prophet Muhammad's female child
Tiffany-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Girl	Manifestation of the God

When you look at the list of top UK baby names in 2018, you might feel overwhelmed by the several options. To make the selection easy, start by determining the meaning you want your child’s name to convey. Then focus on the names that match the meaning. Shortlist your favorites, and then choose the one that feels right for your little one. No matter which name you pick, it will always hold a special place in your heart.

Infographic: Popular Nature-inspired Girl Names In The UK

Nature’s freshness can make a person feel calm and rejuvenated. The natural world can help lift your spirits and inspire creativity. That’s why many cultures choose baby names that are connected to nature, and the UK is no different. Take a look at the infographic below for a glimpse of the most popular nature-inspired baby girl names in the country.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team