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
Rowan-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-2025-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Red-haired; Little redhead; Descendant of Ruadhán; River in paradise
Sarah-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-Moms		Girl	Princess; Noblewoman
Ariana		Girl	Most holy; Golden life; Noble; Aryan
Tobias		Boy	Yahweh is good
Zoe-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Life
Eli		Boy	Ascension; My God; My God is an oath; Torch
Ayla		Girl	Oak tree; Halo; With the moon
Lincoln-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Pool or lake colony
Alfred-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-History-&-Variations		Boy	Elf counsel
Esmae		Unisex	Esteemed; Loved
Savannah		Unisex	Open grassy plain
Yusuf		Boy	God increases; He will add
Grayson		Boy	Son of a gray-haired person
Annie		Girl	Grace; Favor
Aiden		Unisex	Little fire
Fatima-Name-Meaning-And-History:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Girl	One who abstains
Niamh-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Shining; Bright; Radiant
Robert-Name-Meaning-2025:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Nicknames		Boy	Bright fame; Shining glory; Bright in counsel
Callum		Boy	Dove
Maddison		Boy	Son of Maud; Strength in battle
Connor		Boy	Lover of wolves; Hunter; Desiring wolves
Sonny		Boy	Young boy; Son; Glorious
Ada-Baby-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Noble; First-born girl; Island; Adornment; Ornament;
Edie-Name-Meaning-and-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Fortunate battle
Dominic		Boy	Belonging to God
Lydia-Baby-Name-Guide-In-2025:-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity		Girl	Woman from Lydia
Jamie		Boy	Supplanter; Holder of the heel
Joel-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Yahweh is god
Pippa		Girl	Lover of horses
John		Boy	God is gracious
Milo-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Soldier; Peaceful; Favored
Eloise		Girl	Healthy; Wide; Whole; Sun; Famous warrior
Patrick:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History---Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Nobleman
Alexandra		Girl	Defender or helper of the people
Owen		Boy	Well-born; Noble birth; Born from the yew tree
Seth		Boy	Appointed; Placed
Bethany		Girl	House of figs
Isabel		Girl	God is my oath
Jaxson-Name-Meaning,-History,-Popularity-&-More:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Son of Jack
Billy		Boy	Warrior; Strong-willed protector
Evan-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Yahweh is gracious; God is gracious; Youth; Born from the yew tree
Lacey		Girl	From Lassy; Cheerful
Rocco		Boy	Rest; Repose; Rook; Crow; Battle cry; Roar
Lara		Girl	Women of the Citadel; Famous; Shine; Protection
Madison-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-2025-Guide		Boy	Son of Maud
Eric		Boy	Eternal ruler
Rupert		Boy	Bright fame; Glory
Delilah-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Popularity		Girl	Delicate
Aaliyah		Girl	Ascending; Highborn; Exalted; Sublime; Lofty
Elias-Baby-Name:-Origin,-Meaning-&-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	My God is Yahweh
Anaya-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	God answers; Misfortune; Adversity; Without a superior; He who no one can lead; Lord Vishnu; Brother; Spanish town
Ali		Boy	Elevated; High; Superior; Noble; Champion
Mollie		Girl	Drop of the sea; Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved; Love
Ayaan		Boy	Natural disposition; Path; Precession; Unmoving; Watchful; Seeing; Good luck
Myla		Girl	Soldier; Merciful; Grace
Betsy		Girl	My God is an oath
Joey		Boy	God will increase; God will add; God is gracious
Muhammed		Boy	Praised; Praiseworthy; Commendable
Musa-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Parents		Boy	Muse; Son; Deliver
Elena-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Torch; Shining light
Faith		Girl	Trust; Belief
Hudson		Boy	Son of Hudde; Mind; Thought; Spirit
Maxwell		Boy	Dweller by the great stream
Leonardo		Boy	Brave lion; Hard; Brave; Hardy
Amaya-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Heavenly valley; Elevated place; Mother capital; Night rain; End
Cody		Boy	The son of Oda; Descendant of the helpful one
Tilly		Girl	Strength in battle
Jax		Boy	Son of Jack; God has been gracious
Paige-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-To-History-&-Popularity		Unisex	Little page; Helper; Little boy
Lillie-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-In-2025		Girl	Lily; Pledged to God
Finlay		Boy	Fair hero; White Warrior
Parker		Boy	Keeper of the park
Esther		Girl	Star; Hidden
Zainab-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Key-Insights		Girl	Fragrant tree; Beautiful plant; Beauty; Life of Zeus
Oakley-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Complete-2025-Guide		Unisex	From the oak meadow; Meadow of oak trees
Kian-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Ancient; Grace of God; Enduring one; King; Realm
Hanna		Girl	Favor; Grace; God has favored me
Cole		Boy	Charcoal; Victory of the people
Mya-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Good mother; Foster mother; Dame
Kevin		Boy	Handsome by birth; Gentle; Lovable; Fair; Peace
Nathaniel		Boy	Gift of God; God has given
Laura		Girl	Laurel; Bay laurel plant
Gabriella-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Variations,-Nicknames-&-More		Unisex	God is my strength
Nicholas		Boy	People's victory
Levi		Boy	Joined; Attached; He will join
Amy-Name-Meaning-&-History:-The-Ultimate-Guide		Girl	Beloved; To love
Kayden		Boy	Fighter; Companion
Isobel		Girl	My God is an oath
Anthony-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Flower
Marnie		Girl	Of the sea; Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male; Rejoice
Vincent-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Conquering
Olive		Girl	Olive tree
Brody		Boy	Broad eye; Broad island; Ditch; Fort; Fortification; Muddy area
Beatrix-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Voyager; Blessed
Filip		Boy	Friend of horses
Elodie		Girl	All wealth; Foreign wealth
Autumn		Girl	Name of the season Autumn; Fall
Cooper		Unisex	Barrel builder
Jakub-Baby-Name-Guide:-Origin,-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Holder of the heel; Supplanter; May God protect
Hollie		Girl	Holly tree; Hollow-eyed

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