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
Martina-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-More		Girl	The god of war; Mars; Dedicated to Mars; Warlike
Claire		Girl	Clear; Bright; Famous
Beatriz-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Blessed; Happy; Voyager
Michalina		Girl	Who is like God?
Viaan		Boy	Full of life and energy
Nelson		Boy	Son of Neil; The son of Nell; Cloud; Champion
Emrys		Boy	Immortal; Divine
Levison		Unisex	Son of Levi
Dawood		Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Axl		Boy	Father is peace
Fateh-Name-Meaning:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-Numerology		Boy	Conqueror
Ruari		Unisex	Red king
Sol		Boy	Peace; Sun
Kohen-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-2025-Popularity-Trends		Boy	Priest
Haydn		Boy	Heathen; Hedged-valley
Kaison		Boy	Calf; Pollen; Warrior
Melina		Girl	Honey; Bee
Umaiza		Unisex	Bright, Beautiful; Soft hearted
Rebekah		Girl	To tie; Join; Snare
Eiliyah		Girl	The beautiful one who grows in peace and love with God; Belonging to a noble class
Klaudia-Name:-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Girl	Crippled; Lame
Avni		Girl	Earth; Help
Merryn		Girl	Seaborn
Inara		Unisex	Illumination; Ray of light; Heaven sent
Bridget		Girl	The exalted one; Power; Strength; Virtue
Indi		Unisex	River; Land of the Indians
Samira		Girl	Companion in evening talk; Wind; Air
Ivie-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Popularity-&-Pronunciation		Unisex	Climbing evergreen plant
Persephone		Girl	To destroy; To kill
Willa		Girl	Resolute protection
Tadhg-Name:-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Boy	Poet; Philosopher
Eoin		Boy	God is gracious; Young; God's gift
Huw		Boy	Heart; Mind; Spirit
Aarush		Boy	First ray of sun; Dawn
Ayaz		Boy	Cool night breeze; A royal breeze
Kaya-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-History,-Popularity-And-More		Girl	My elder sister; Rock; Resting place; Restoration; Perfume; Reward
Carl-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Trends-In-2025		Boy	Free man; Army
Markus		Boy	Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male
Zephyr		Boy	West wind; Greek god of the west wind
Karol		Boy	Strong; Manly; Free woman; Song; Hymn
Rafi		Boy	God heals; Noble; High; Sublime
Tyrese		Boy	Gift of Gods
Elwood		Boy	Elder tree forest; Elf; Rule
Moshe		Boy	Savior; Draw out of water; Son; Deliver
Mackenzie-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Son of Coinnich; Fair; Handsome; Beautiful
Safwan-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Stone; Rock; Pure
Iosif		Boy	Romanian form of Joseph; God shall add another son
Ayrton		Boy	River Aire; Enclosure; Yard; Town
Harun		Boy	Lofty; Exalted
Pablo-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Small; Humble
Forrest-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Forest; Woodlands; Outside
Aden		Boy	Little fire; Son of red earth; Formed of Earth; Pleasure; Delight
Yousaf-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Trends		Boy	God increases; God will add
Milosz		Boy	Gracious; Dear
Chaya		Girl	Life; Alive
Trixie		Girl	Voyager; Traveler
Cataleya		Girl	Orchid
Carly		Girl	Free man; Army
Nayla		Girl	Attainer; I love you
Anaiya		Girl	Look up to God
Matylda		Girl	A mighty and powerful battle
Elowen		Girl	Elm tree
Shania		Girl	On my way; Beautiful; God is gracious; Brilliant
Nala-Name-Meaning-in-2025:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights		Girl	Stem; Hollow reed; Water in the desert; Queen; Lion; Successful; Beloved
Vera-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Faith; Summer; Valor; Foreign
Nuala		Girl	White shoulder; Lamb; Born of the sea
Ingrid		Girl	Beautiful goddess of fertility; Godlike beauty
Alaina		Girl	Little rock; Handsome; Torch; Shining light; Moon
Prisha		Girl	To sprinkle; Weary
Kelsey		Boy	Ship's victory; Fierce island
Mariah		Girl	The Lord is my teacher; Bitter; From the sea
Marie-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Wished for child; Sea of bitterness; Star of the sea
Leland		Boy	Fallow land
Kuba-Name-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Pronunciation:-Ultimate-Guide		Boy	Holder of the heel; Supplanter; May God protect
Aryaan		Boy	Noble; Illustrious; Honorable; Educated
Nana-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Expert-Insights		Unisex	Fresh or green vegetables; Father; Grandpa; A title of a monarch
Jose		Boy	God will give; He will add
Romilly		Girl	Of Rome; Woodland; Clearing
Avneet		Girl	Kind-hearted; Empathetic
Iestyn-Baby-Name:-All-You-Need-To-Know		Unisex	Just
Murphy-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Sea battle; Descendant of Murchadh
Bogdan		Boy	Given by God
Lilliana		Girl	Lily; Purity; My god is an oath
Pia		Girl	Pious; Dutiful
Bernard		Boy	Brave bear; Strong
Bryn		Girl	Hill; Mound; Meadow bridge
Naya		Girl	Aim; Purpose
Kelvin		Boy	From the narrow river
Georgi:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Boy	Farmer; Earthworker
Taya		Girl	Bandage
Bianka:-A-2025-Guide-To-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity		Girl	White; Shining; Fair
Zoha		Boy	Light
Phillip-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Variations:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Horse lover
Essa		Unisex	Star; Yahweh is salvation; Myrtle
Arlie-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity-in-2025		Boy	Promise; Hare meadow
Frederic		Boy	Peaceful ruler
Quentin		Boy	Fifth
Shah-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Monarch; King; Sovereign of Iran; Gentleman; Merchant
Monica-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Advisor; Truth; Single; One; Counsel
Enoch		Boy	Dedicated; Disciplined; Trained

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