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
Emanuel-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	God is with us
Vivaan		Boy	Full of life; Twisting; Rays of the morning sun
Alessandro		Boy	Defender of mankind
Reya		Girl	Graceful; Queen; To flow
Lowen		Boy	Joyful; Lions
Kathleen		Girl	Pure; Clear; Flawless; Unsullied; Clean; Each of the two; Far off
Ross		Boy	Peninsula; Headland; Upland; Horse
Courtney-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Pronunciation-&-History		Girl	Short; Short nose
Antony-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Praiseworthy
Wade		Unisex	A ford; To depart
Reign-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History,-Popularity-&-More		Unisex	To rule; Royal power; Kingdom
Kodi		Boy	Helpful; Beneficial; Descendant of the helpful one; Son of Odo
Mathias		Boy	God's gift
Sahib-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-&-Complete-Guide		Boy	A companion; Owner
Omari		Boy	Populous; Flourishing; Full of life
Farhan-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-Variants-&-Popularity		Boy	A happy and merry man
Kareem		Boy	The one who gives a lot; Generous; Noble; Dignity
Shaun		Unisex	God is gracious
Sonia		Girl	Wisdom
Iylah		Unisex	Moonlight; Beauty; Brilliance
Imani		Girl	Faith; Belief
Patricia		Girl	Noble
Dotty		Girl	God's gift
Daniela		Girl	God is my judge
Kaira		Girl	Alluring; Delightful; Beloved; Dark
Esmay		Boy	Esteemed; Loved
Kaja		Girl	Pure; Each of the two; Echo; Earth
Amos		Boy	Carried by God; Love; Affection; Friend
Lloyd-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Origins,-Pronunciation,-Variations		Boy	Gray
Khalil		Boy	Friend; Companion; Trustworthy
Borys		Boy	One who is a short snow lepard
Ivor		Boy	Bow of the warrior; Yew tree army
Devon		Unisex	Poet; Worshipers of the god Dumnonos; Warrior of God
Tiago		Boy	Saint James
Herbie		Boy	Brilliant army
Fredrick-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Peaceful ruler
Calum-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity-In-2025:-Key-Insights		Boy	Dove
Daisie		Girl	Day's eye
Deborah		Girl	Bee
Rosemary-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity-in-2025-Guide		Girl	Rose; Dew of the sea; Famous type
Adelina		Girl	Noble; Nobility
Ayva		Girl	To breathe; To live
Braxton		Boy	Bracca's settlement
Eren		Boy	Saint; Holy person; Affection
Saul-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-And-Popularity		Boy	Asked; Loaned; Grave; Prayed for
Ismael-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	God hears
Hadi-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Boy	Leader; Guide
Abu-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History:-Complete-Guide-In-2025		Boy	Father; Father of
Alvin		Boy	Friend of the elves; Noble friend; Old friend
Sultan-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	He is a King; A Sultan; He rules others
Haaris		Boy	Plowman; Cultivator
Klay		Boy	Clay settlement
Olaf		Boy	Ancestor's descendant; Grandfather
Danyal-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Variants-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	God is my judge
Haroon		Boy	High mountain; Exalted
Humaira		Unisex	Crimson; Red
Ayaana		Girl	Path; Way; Silent
Farah		Girl	Happiness
Precious-Name-Meaning:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Unisex	Price; Worth
Elspeth		Girl	My God is an oath
Simran		Unisex	Meditation
Stefania		Girl	Crowned
Hajra		Girl	Flight
Lowri		Girl	Laurel
Karolina-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin,-Nicknames-&-Popularity		Girl	Free woman; Army; Freeholder; Song of joy; Strong; Beautiful
Asma		Girl	High status; Supreme; Beautiful; Beloved; Desired
Amalie-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Hardworking; Industrious; Laborious; Brave
Katy-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-History,-And-Variations		Girl	Clear; Pure; Flawless
Frida		Girl	Peace; Beautiful; Beloved
Mara-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-Variations-&-Famous-Bearers		Boy	Bitter
Ayyub-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-History		Boy	Repent; To return to God
Taha		Boy	Name of a Quranic verse
Saad-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin,-Variants,-And-Popularity		Boy	Fortune; Good luck; Happiness
Loui-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-History:-9-Cultural-Variations		Unisex	Famous in battle
Francisco		Boy	Frenchman; Franks; Someone who is free
Valentino		Boy	Brave; Strong
Will-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Determined guardian; Resolute protector
Addison		Boy	Son of Adam; Son of Addie
Aras		Boy	Eagle; Equal; Balanced
Ziggy		Boy	Victory; Peace; Yahweh remembers
Asa-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-New-Parents		Boy	Physician; Healer; Goddess; Morning; Child of light
Dhruv-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Immovable; Faithful; Polar star
Alessio		Boy	Defender or helper of the people
Jad		Boy	Serious; Generosity; Gift; Benevolent; Root
Uzair		Boy	Help; Yahweh has helped; God has helped; Strength
Rome		Unisex	From Rome; Citizen of Rome
Bobbie		Girl	A short form of Robert; Bright; Famous
Arran-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	Notorious; High mountain; Name of an island
Selina		Girl	Moon; Greek goddess of the moon; Heaven
Kadie-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Pure; Each of the two; My consecration of your name; Torture
Maci		Girl	Of Massy; Gift of God
Marta		Girl	The Lady; The mistress; Dedicated to Mars
Dulcie-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Sweet
Arwen		Girl	Noble maiden; White; Blessed
Anastazja		Girl	Reborn
Delia		Girl	Of Delos; Heart; Jewel of the sea
Mahira		Girl	Skilled; Expert; Talented
Cecily		Girl	Blind of beauty; Heaven
Emilio		Boy	Rival; Eager
Adyan		Boy	Pious; Religious; Sun

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