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
Nikhil		Boy	Perfect; Complete; Whole; All-inclusive; Intact
Rihan		Unisex	Sweet basil
Christos		Boy	Anointed; Good; Useful
Ebenezer		Boy	Stone of help
Shawn		Girl	Yahweh is gracious; God is gracious
Harveer		Boy	Warrior of God; Brave Defendant for the Lord; One who is victorious over destruction; A variant of Harvir
Willoughby		Unisex	Willow grove; Settlement near a willow meadow
Apollo-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Greek Sun God; Strength; Father lion; Father light
Jaxxon		Boy	Son of Jack
Codey		Boy	Descendant of the helpful one
Marek-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-Variants-&-Popularity		Boy	Warlike; Dedicated to Mars; Rebellious; Sea of bitterness
Larry-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide-To-Variations		Boy	From Laurentum
Haseeb		Boy	Noble; Respected; Reckoner; A variant of Hasib
Joaquim		Boy	Raised by Yahweh; Yahweh will establish
Ilinca		Girl	Feminine form of Romanian Ilie; The Lord is my God
Gwendolyn		Girl	Fair Bow; Blessed Ring
Muskaan:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-Popularity-And-More		Unisex	Happiness or smile
Linda		Girl	Beautiful; Soft; Flexible; Linden tree; to wait
Salwa-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Popularity,-Nicknames-&-More		Girl	Comfort; Solace
Emi		Girl	Favour; Benefit; Picture; Painting; Beautiful
Raeya		Girl	Singer; Ray of sunshine; Queen; Happy; Friend; Perfume
Asmaa		Girl	Appellations; Names; Supreme
Acacia-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Thorn; Sharp point; Immortality; Resurrection
Susan		Girl	Lily of the valley; Lotus; Rose
Uma-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Flax; Night; Fame; Splendor; Tranquility
Leya-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-More		Girl	Weary; Cow
Abeera		Girl	Aroma; Fragrance; Strong; Mighty
Zahara		Girl	Bright; Brilliance; Flower
Niyah		Unisex	Mourning; Purpose; Aim; Intention
Elija		Boy	Yahweh is my God
Amie		Girl	Beloved; To love; Friend
Odette-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Wealth; Fortune; Heritage
Mireya		Girl	To admire; Wonder; God has spoken
Eleanora-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Girl	The other Aenor; Shining light
Mishal		Girl	Torch; Beacon; Light
Amyra		Girl	Princess; Commander; Ruler
Gianna		Girl	God is gracious
Naia		Girl	Wave; Sea foam; Aspiration; Wish; Desire; Dolphin; To flow
Milania-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Gracious; Dear; Middle of the plain; Dark; Black
Ruqayya-Name-Origin-&-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Ascent; Spell; Charm
Hala-Name-Meaning-And-History-In-2025:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Halo around the moon
Lucille		Girl	Light; To shine
Sofiya		Girl	Wisdom
Coralie		Girl	Coral; Precious gemstone made by polishing coral
Petra		Girl	Rock; Stone
Aariya		Unisex	Noble; Honorable; Arya
Mariama		Girl	Beloved; Wished for a child
Nawal		Boy	Gift; Present; Grant; Accomplish
Bushra		Girl	Good news; Omen; Perfect
Della		Girl	Noble; Delicate
Felicia-Name-Meaning-&-History:-What-You-Need-to-Know		Girl	Blessed with luck
Kourtney		Girl	Short nose
Chay		Unisex	Man; Army; Fairy tale
Eliezer		Boy	My God is help
Zen-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-For-New-Parents		Unisex	Absorption; Meditative state
Kohan-Baby-Name:-Pronunciation,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Unisex	Beloved; Old; Priest
Yigit		Boy	Brave
Aymen		Girl	Blessed; Lucky; Right-handed
Harlo-Baby-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Unisex	Rock; Heap of stones
Carwyn		Boy	A blessed love; White
Nasir		Boy	Helper; Protector of religion; Defender of the faith; Friend; The one who gives victory
Yazan		Boy	A determined man; A Himyarite king
Mustapha		Boy	The chosen one
Ash		Boy	From the ash tree clearing
Mayson		Boy	Stoneworker
Raef-Name:-Key-Insights-On-Meaning,-Popularity,-And-Variations		Unisex	Kind; Gentle; Compassionate; Soft-hearted
Abdulaziz-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Servant of the Almighty; Servant of the powerful
Tamim		Boy	Strong
Sammy		Boy	God has heard; Name of God; Flower
Mohsin		Boy	Beneficient
Kaeden		Boy	Fighter
Johannes-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Pronunciation-Guide		Boy	Yahweh is gracious
Tai		Unisex	Very; Extreme; Talent; Ability; Tide; Large; Calm; Abandon; Enduring
Mattias		Boy	God's gift
Opie		Boy	One who like God Almighty; Iridescent gemstone; Jewel
Jedidiah		Boy	Beloved; Friend; Beloved of Yahweh; Praise of Yahweh
Amrit		Boy	Immortality
Zaviyar		Boy	Visitor; Pilgrim; The new house
Rajveer		Boy	Brave king; The hero of the land; Kingdom's hero
Kailan		Girl	Keeper of keys; Pure; Mighty warrior; Slender
Haytham		Boy	Young eagle
Davey		Boy	One who is dearly loved and adored; Uncle
Ralf		Boy	Wolf counsel; Advice
Rami		Boy	Shooter; To be ambitious; Counsel; Protection; To come; Sheep; Night; Exalted; Mercy
Henryk		Boy	Lord of the house
Marvin		Boy	Famous friend; Sea friend; Bone marrow; Eminent; Noble; Wish; Desire; Young goat or kid
Carlton		Boy	Settlement of free men
Emlyn		Boy	Around the valley; Rival; To strive
Jidenna		Girl	Embrace the father
Iosua		Boy	A variant form of Joshua; Yahweh is salvation
Rowen		Unisex	Little red one; Red-haired one
Hartley		Boy	Deer field; From the deer meadow
Beckett		Boy	Beehive; Stream
Bennett		Girl	Blessed
Bryce		Boy	Freckled; Strength; Swift; Speckled
Jibril-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Pronunciation		Boy	God is my strength; God is my hero
Rashid		Boy	Rightly guided; Having true faith; The high one
Kaius		Boy	To rejoice
Austen		Boy	Exalted; Venerable; Increase; Renowned
Jibreel		Boy	God is my strong man

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