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
Frederic		Boy	Peaceful ruler
Arlie-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity-in-2025		Boy	Promise; Hare meadow
Essa		Unisex	Star; Yahweh is salvation; Myrtle
Phillip-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Variations:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Horse lover
Zoha		Boy	Light
Bianka:-A-2025-Guide-To-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity		Girl	White; Shining; Fair
Taya		Girl	Bandage
Georgi:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Boy	Farmer; Earthworker
Kelvin		Boy	From the narrow river
Naya		Girl	Aim; Purpose
Bryn		Girl	Hill; Mound; Meadow bridge
Yuvaan		Unisex	Young person; Strong; Healthy; Excellent
Maysa		Girl	Graceful; Sparkling star
Hania		Girl	Favor; Grace; Pleasant; Spirit warrior
Julie		Girl	Youthful; Downy-bearded; Soft hair
Larissa		Girl	Citadel
Kimberly		Girl	Royal fortress meadow; Cyndeburg's field; War chief
Trinity-Name-Meaning,-Origin-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Girl	The holy triad
Mikayla		Girl	Who is like God
Arissa		Girl	Best; Bright; Harvest
Luella-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Girl	Famous warrior
Tess		Girl	Harvester; Late summer
Marcelina		Girl	Dedicated to Mars; Roman God of war
Shreya-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Superior; Best
Abby		Girl	My father's joy; My father is cheerful; He rejoices
Umaima		Girl	Little mother; Nurturer
Star-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity:-2025-Guide		Girl	Star
Avani-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Girl	The good earth; Daughter of the earth
Darci		Girl	From the fortress; A dark one
Renesmee		Girl	Reborn; Loved; Esteemed
Amarah		Girl	Grace; Immortal; Eternal; Tribe
Akram		Boy	Generous; Noble
Aman-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-History-&-Cultural-Significance		Unisex	Peace; Calm; Feeling of security; Trust; Safety; Handsome; Healthy and strong
Keelan-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Slender; Narrow; Fine
Joao		Boy	Yahweh is gracious
Izaan		Boy	Acceptance; Obedience
Ryley		Boy	Rye clearing
Bryson		Boy	Freckled; Son of Brice; Speckled man's son
Ayoub		Boy	Other name of Job; Persecuted; Hated
Kurtis		Boy	Courteous; Polite
Ahyan		Boy	Moments; Times; Era
Mathew		Boy	God's gift
Raiden		Boy	Thunder; Lightning; God spirit
Giorgio:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Nicknames		Boy	Farmer; Earthworker
Cohan		Unisex	Priest; Wild goose
Rodrigo		Boy	Famous ruler
Alejandro		Boy	Defender of mankind
Etienne:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-In-2025		Boy	Crown; Wreath; Fame
Eliot		Boy	Yahweh is my God
Mohamad		Boy	A special loved one, always loving others
Karam		Unisex	Generosity; Nobility; Fate; Destiny
Koa-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Warrior; Koa tree
Steffan		Boy	Crowned with garland
Yannis		Unisex	God is gracious
Yusha		Unisex	Yahweh is salvation; To save
Ekam		Unisex	Solitary; Unity; Supreme oneness
Malika		Girl	Queen
Kacie-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Vigilant; Watchful
Maiya		Girl	Good mother; Circle; Increasingly; Illusion
Reem-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Traits		Girl	One who is like a beautiful gazelle; White antelope
Alizah		Unisex	Joyful; Exalted
Bryony-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights		Girl	To swell
Alexandria		Girl	Defender or helper of the people
Leilani		Unisex	Royal child; Heavenly flowers
Jaya		Girl	One who is victorious; Winner; One who is blessed with success
Liya		Girl	Weary; Cow; I am with God
Magdalena		Boy	Of Magdala
Giovanna		Girl	God is gracious
Dana		Girl	God is my judge; God given; Wise; Pearl; Brave; Wise; Arbiter; Valley of meadow
Marwah		Girl	Flint (stone); Quartz; A hard stone of nearly pure silica; name of a fragrant plant; A hill near Mecca
Isobella-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-and-History:-Ultimate-Guide		Boy	My God is an oath
Gabija		Girl	Hide; Protect
Marla		Girl	Of Magdala; Beloved; Rebelliousness; Wished for child
Elsi-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	My God is an oath
Elyas-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Lord is my God
Meerab		Boy	Water master; Water king; Water ruler
Kenneth		Boy	Handsome; Comely; Respect
Lillia		Girl	My god is an oath; Lily flower
Zeynep		Girl	Fragrant flowering tree; Beauty; Life of Zeus
Camden-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Enclosed valley
Skylah-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Scholar
Cosmo		Boy	Universe; Order; Beauty; Decency
Reyan		Unisex	Fame; Basil
Cristina		Girl	Christian; Followers of Christ; To Anoint
Abdur		Boy	Servant of the powerful
Seamus-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Ultimate-Guide		Boy	One who grips at the heel; One who supplants; May god protect
Kason		Boy	An enclosure for calves; Calf town; Fruit; Village; Mist
Eshan		Boy	God; Supreme Being; Lord; One of the many names of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu; Sun
Teagan		Unisex	Darling; Descendant of Tadhgán
Kailen		Unisex	Clean; Pure; Mighty warrior
Dario		Boy	Possessing goodness
Richie-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Variations,-History,-Pop-Culture		Boy	Brave ruler
Yousif		Boy	God will add
Sufyaan		Boy	Wool; Pure; Clean; Thin; Slim
Roux		Girl	Red-haired person; Red
Vivien		Unisex	Alive; Full of life
Ariadne-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	The holiest
Aaliya		Girl	Exalted; Sublime; Lofty; Highborn; Ascending
Paulina		Girl	Small; Humble
Subhaan		Boy	Exalted; Praise; Glory

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