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
Nada-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Generosity; Dew; Hope
Effy-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	To use words of good omen; Fruitful; Fruitful place
Shyla		Girl	Blind; Daughter of the mountain
Nailah		Girl	Successful; Obtainer; Winner; Gracious; Charitable
Dominika:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-29-Unique-Name-Insights		Girl	Belonging to the Lord
Bibi:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-Variants-&-Popularity		Girl	The exalted one; Help; Bean; Wife; Voyager; Hostess; Day; Rain
Bow		Boy	One who lives near a bow, arch, or bend
Aine		Girl	Splendor; Radiance; Brilliance; Love sound; The only one; My eye; Descendant; Scene; Sight
Tori-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-&-Variations		Girl	Victory
Riva		Girl	To join; To tie; To snare
Davina		Girl	Beloved; Calf; Fox; Little black one
Krystal		Girl	Clear; Colorless glass; Ice; Follower of the Christ
Aiya		Unisex	Bird; Falcon; Verse; Evidence
Umut		Unisex	Hope
Om		Boy	Sacred syllable; Primordial sound
Kellan		Boy	Slender; Son of Alan; Beautiful; Little rock; Son of Colin; Young one
Ved		Boy	A sacred text in Hindu religion; Ancient scriptures; Leave; Farewell; Valedictory; Firewood
Moishe		Boy	Drew out; Savior; To pull out of water
Tyrone		Boy	Land of Eoghan
Miran		Boy	Princess; Princely estate; Peace; World; Sun-like; Future; Sound; Benevolent person; Happiness from God; Joyful water
Hawley		Boy	Hedged meadow
Khari		Boy	One who is born to rule; Royalty; Pure; Honest
Ionatan		Boy	Romanian form of Yownathan; God has given
Binyamin		Boy	Son of the right hand
Enrique		Boy	Ruler of an estate; Home ruler
Brock		Boy	Badger; Badger-like
Kiyaan		Boy	Royal; Kingship
Bram		Boy	Father of multitudes
Viraj		Girl	Radiant; Bright; Regal; King; Ruling far and wide
Enrico		Boy	Home ruler
Messiah		Boy	Savior; Anointed
Kodie-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Descendant of the helpful one; Son of Odo; Helpful
Koen		Boy	Brave counsel; Brave advisor
Hezekiah-Name-Meaning-And-History:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	God strengthens; Yahweh strengthens
Mehdi-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origins-And-Variations		Boy	The guided one
Nuh-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights		Boy	Rest; Repose
Harlem		Boy	A vibrant neighborhood in New York city; Home on a forested dune
Braydon		Boy	A wide hillside; From Bradden
Daryl		Boy	From Airelle; Darling
Ishan-Name:-Meaning,-History,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Master; Lord; Shiva
Wali-Baby-Name-Complete-Guide:-Meaning,-History,-Pronunciation		Unisex	Protector; Helper; Friend
Ahyaan		Boy	Witness; To walk a path; Progress
Rajan		Boy	King; Ruler; Monarch
Massimo		Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Paramount; Maximum; Highest
Ramsey		Boy	Garlic Island
Marwan		Boy	Flint (stone); Quartz; A hard stone of nearly pure silica; name of a fragrant plant; Strong lion; Leader
Azariah		Girl	God helps; Yahweh has helped
Stevie		Boy	Crown 100
Sterling-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Unisex	Excellent; Little star
Benji		Boy	Son of the right hand; Son of the south
Cobie-Baby-Name-Meaning:-2025-Popularity-Trends-&-Key-Insights		Boy	May God protect; Supplanter
Aamir		Boy	Prosperous; Substantial; Commander
Florin		Boy	Flower
Eduardo		Boy	Rich guard
Kaine		Boy	Spear; Battle; Acquired
Shuaib		Boy	Midianite prophet in Quran; Abundance
Howard		Boy	High defender; Chief guardian; Heart-brave
Reilly		Boy	Rye clearing; Brave; Descendant of Raghailleach
Marcos-Name-Origin,-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Warlike; Little warrior; Man; Dedicated to Mars
Juan		Boy	God is gracious; God is merciful; Yahweh is gracious
Ren-Name-Origin,-Meaning,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Lotus; Romantic love; From Laurentum; Compassion
Zachery-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Pronunciation		Unisex	Yahweh remembers
Shiloh-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Tranquil; Abundance; His gift
Riccardo		Boy	Brave king; Firm ruler; Mighty ruler
Ridley		Boy	Reed clearing; Channel clearing
Rizwan		Unisex	Contentment; Satisfaction
Nabeel		Boy	Noble
Younus		Unisex	Dove
Leroy-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	The king
Lev-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Lion; Heart
Ronin-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-History,-&-Popularity-Trends		Boy	Little seal; Masterless samurai; Anaconda
Ruan		Boy	Sandalwood; Red; Ascending; Tall
Yaqoob		Unisex	Supplanter; Holder of the heel; May god protect
Gael-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Girl	My father is joy
Gerard-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Variants:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Brave spear
Loic		Boy	Famous in battle; From Luciana
Gareth		Unisex	Valor; Hay lord
Scout		Girl	To listen; One who gathers information covertly
Mona		Girl	Wish; Noble one; Who lasts forever; Solitary
Sarai-Name-Meaning:-Key-Insights-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Girl	Princess
Anisia		Girl	Fulfillment; Completion; Unique; Unmatched
Sumayah		Girl	High above
Liza		Girl	My God is an oath
Areeba		Girl	Brilliant; Intelligent; Sharp; Witty; Smart
Aafiyah		Girl	Health; Wellness; Freedom from illness; Well-being
Saliha-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Virtuous
Oriana		Girl	Gold
Leonor		Girl	Light; Luminous; Torch; Sunray
Ayeza		Unisex	Moon; Gold; Visitor; Returning
Ayse		Girl	Living; Alive; Moon-like; Happy
Bernice		Girl	Bringer of victory
Haneen		Girl	Desire; Longing; Yearning; Strong love
Bronwen		Girl	White Raven; Blessed breast
Selin		Unisex	Flood; Torrent; Abundant flowing water
Ewa		Girl	Breathe; Live
Dora		Girl	God's gift; Hand; Gift
Nya		Girl	Friend; Young; Purpose
Isabell		Girl	God is my oath
Talitha		Girl	Little girl; Young girl
Ilaria		Girl	Cheerful; Merry

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