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
Coen		Boy	Brave counsel; Advice
Lorcan		Boy	A fierce little one
Adyan		Boy	Pious; Religious; Sun
Colton		Boy	From a coal town
Sufyan		Boy	Wool; Pure; Clean; Slim; Thin
Leyton-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-Parents		Boy	A town with a leek garden
Emilio		Boy	Rival; Eager
Mahdi-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origins,-Variations-&-Nicknames		Boy	One who is guided on the right path; Divine guidance
Lisa		Girl	My God is an oath
Miah		Girl	Dame; Good mother; Mine; Beloved; Wished-for child; Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness
Celine		Girl	Heavenly
Cali		Girl	Affectionate; Calm; Fair; Ocean; Pure; Good; Beautiful; Best; Cup; Chalice
Rita		Girl	Pearl; Daisy; True; Enlightened; Luminous; Righteous; Free
Carmen-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Garden; God's vineyard; Plantation; Mountain
Saara		Girl	A noblewoman; A princess
Franco:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Boy	Frank; Frenchman; Spear
Ariyah		Girl	Lion; Noble; Melody
Melisa		Girl	Honeybee
Kaylen		Unisex	Pure; Keeper of the keys
Zakariyya		Boy	God remembers
Ashleigh		Girl	Ash tree clearing; Of the Ash tree meadow; Dweller near the Ash tree meadow
Giulia		Girl	Youthful; Downy-bearded
Blanka-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origins-And-Popularity		Girl	White; Fair-colored
Gloria-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Praise; Glory; Immortal glory; Fame
Presley		Boy	Priest's meadow
Adaline		Girl	Noble; Kind
Nusaybah		Girl	One with a good lineage; Nurturing
Rahma		Girl	Compassion; Kind
Wojciech		Boy	He who is happy in battle; Joyous warrior; He who enjoys war; He who finds solace or comfort in war
Lorena		Girl	From Laurentum; Laurel; Kingdom of Lothar; Famous army
Alastair		Boy	Defender of mankind; Protector of mankind
Saffron		Girl	A yellow flower; Gold leaves
Kylan		Boy	Narrows; Channel; Strait
Yanis		Unisex	God is gracious
Md		Unisex	Nonexistent; Nothing; Ink; Parrot
Kiyan		Boy	King; Ancient
Abdulrahman		Boy	Servant of the merciful; Servant of the most gracious
Huey-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Mind; Thought; Spirit
Emerson		Boy	Son of Emery; Great ruler; Brave; Vigorous; Unceasing
Callan		Boy	Battle; Rock; Battle rule; War-like
Xanthe		Girl	Golden; Yellow
Arwa		Boy	Splendor; Mountain goat; Female ibex; Gracefulness and beauty; Satisfied; Fresh
Ioana		Girl	Yahweh is gracious
Roma-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Explore-Its-Rich-History		Boy	Roman; From Rome; City of Rome; Glorious power; Famous authority
Alara		Girl	Mythological water fairy; Ruler of all
Winifred		Girl	Friend of peace; Blessed reconcile
Raisa		Girl	Rose; Hero; Period; Leader
Elle		Girl	She; Goddess; Beautiful; Sunray; Light
Sumaya		Girl	She who is high above
Denny		Boy	Greek God Dionysus
Zaki		Boy	Pure; Chaste; Sinless; Lion
Francesco:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-History-And-Popularity		Boy	Frenchman; Free one
Amin-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights		Girl	Truthful
Viktor-Name-Meaning:-5-Key-Facts-You-Should-Know		Boy	Victor; Conqueror
Vlad-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Variations		Boy	Rule; Control
Edmund-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Variations		Boy	Rich protection
Kyrie-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-More		Girl	Lord; Master
Edgar		Boy	Prosperous spear
Julius:-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History---2025-Essential-Guide		Boy	Downy-bearded; Jove's child; Devoted to Jove
Ammar		Unisex	Prosperous long life; One who lives a long life; God-fearing; The creator; One who tends and maintains something; Pious; One whose presence brings joy to others
Amar		Boy	Immortal; Unending; One who lives a long life
Karson		Boy	Son of marsh-dwellers
Alexandre		Girl	Defender or helper of the people
Bartosz		Boy	Son of Talmai
Zidane		Boy	Abundance; Growth; Increase
Shae		Unisex	Admirable; Gift from God
Shaan		Boy	Dignity; Dignified; Pride; Honor; Rank; Purpose
Nel		Girl	God is with us; Horn; Yokel
Mylah		Girl	Merciful; Gracious; Soldier
Katelyn		Girl	Pure; Each of the two
Meghan		Girl	Pearl
Zaina		Girl	Beauty; Grace
Chiara		Girl	Clear; Bright; Famous
Harriette		Girl	House owner; Lord of the manor; One who rules the home
Jocelyn		Girl	Member of a Gauts tribe; Joyful
Ezmae		Girl	Esteemed; Loved
Paddy		Boy	Nobleman; Head; Skull
Abdullahi		Boy	Servant of Allah
Youssef		Boy	God will add
Ariyan		Boy	Noble; Aryan
Darren		Boy	Great; Oaktree; One who is from Airelle
Thiago		Boy	Supplanter
Gene		Unisex	Wellborn; Noble
Rohaan		Boy	Spiritual; Kindhearted
Rylee		Girl	Rye clearing
Abdurrahman		Boy	Servant of the most gracious; Servant of the merciful
Arian		Boy	Noble; Educated; Golden life; Ram
Keaton		Boy	Place of hawks
Roisin-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Little rose
Eleni		Girl	Torch; Shining light
Enya		Girl	Fire; Kernel
Tahlia		Girl	Dew from God
Margaux		Girl	Pearl
Nancie		Girl	Balanced; Graceful
Mathilda		Girl	Mighty in battle; Warrior
Dania		Girl	God is my judge; Near
Honor-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Honour; Esteem; Dignity
Efa		Girl	To breathe; To live; Beauty
Eshal		Girl	Flower in the Heaven; Purity
Aishah		Girl	Living; Alive

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