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
Aaima		Girl	Leader; Superior; Ruler
Aaleyah		Girl	High; Lofty; Sublime; Exalted one
Aaradhya-Name-Meaning-And-Popularity:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	To be worshipped; To be accomplished; To be made favorable
Aarvi		Girl	Calm; Peaceful melody
Karen		Girl	Pure; Brave; Warrior; Flower; Lotus; Water lily
Abrish		Unisex	May God protect you
Joanne		Girl	God is gracious; He will add
Jennah-Name:-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity,-And-Numerology		Girl	Heaven; Yahweh is gracious; White phantom
Zoja		Girl	Life; To breathe
Izabel		Girl	My God is an oath
Aicha		Boy	Living; Alive
Ivana		Girl	Yahweh is gracious
Mayar		Boy	Moonglow; Under the protection of God
Humayra		Boy	Reddish complexion; Rosy-cheeked
Zadie		Girl	Prosperous; Abundance; Fortunate; Princess; Noblewoman
Aleesa-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Popularity,-Zodiac-&-More		Unisex	Nobleness; Nobility
Haleemah		Girl	Patient; Gentle
Hadassah-Name-Meaning-&-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Myrtle tree
Aliana		Girl	Torch; Corposant; Moon; Sun; Most Holy; Noble and gracious
Gurleen		Unisex	A person who is absorbed in the Guru
Fareeha		Girl	A joyful and cheerful girl
Lamees		Girl	Soft to the touch; Sun
Laney		Girl	Brilliant; Bright; Torch
Aminata		Unisex	Feel safe
Marcia		Girl	Dedicated to Mars; Warlike; Roman God Mars
Larna		Unisex	Seafarer; From the seaside
Marceline-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	A young warrior; Dedicated to Mars
Ester-Name-Guide:-Origins,-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Pronunciation		Girl	Star; Evening star
Anaisa-Name-Meaning-&-Origin-Guide:-Popularity-&-Numerology		Girl	Favor; Grace
Ani-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning-And-History		Girl	Favor; Grace
Manal		Girl	One who achieved great
Ekaterina		Girl	Pure; Each of the two; Immaculate
Manaal		Boy	Attainment; Achievement
Anushka-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Nicknames:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Ray of light; Grace; Favour
Delphine-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-And-Variations		Girl	Dolphin; Woman from the town of Delphi; Womb
Delphi		Girl	Of Delphi; Womb; Dolphin
Defne		Girl	A laurel tree; Name of a place in Turkey
Dea-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Goddess; Good fate
Colette		Girl	Victory of the people
Mai-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Water; Love; Dance; Beloved
Arrietty		Girl	Home ruler
Louella		Girl	Famous warrior
Cari-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Girl	A very dear one; Charity; Free man
Camelia-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Name of a flowering shrub
Asra		Girl	Travel at night; Pure; Noble
Atlanta-Name-Meaning-And-Origins:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Equal in weight; Enduring; Immovable
Bessie		Girl	My God is an oath
Ayrah		Unisex	Respectable; Intelligence; Happiness; Honorable; Awe-inspiring; Vision-filled
Avia-Baby-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Bird; Strength; Yahweh is my father
Roksana		Girl	Bright; Shining
Kaliyah		Boy	Sweet; Beloved; Darling; High; Lofty; Sublime
Zariya		Girl	Scattering winds; Beauty and light; Blooming flower; Yahweh is ruler
Zena		Girl	Hospitality
Jolene		Girl	God is gracious; Pretty; God will add
Nika		Unisex	People's victory; Pure, crystal water; Chosen
Iulia		Girl	Young or youthful; Downy-bearded
Kaydee		Girl	Pure
Noora		Girl	Honor; Esteem; Dignity; Light
Ila		Girl	Earth; Speech; Companion; Associate; Torch; Island
Ikhlas		Girl	Purity; Devotion; Faithfulness; Sincerity
Ieva		Girl	Life; Joyful; Creative; To breathe; To live
Ola		Girl	Ancestor's descendant; People's victory; Wealth; Honor; Respect; Dignity; Glory
Hera		Girl	Hero; Warrior; Period of time; Goddess of marriage; Protectress
Henna		Girl	Home ruler; Blessed; Grace; Yahweh is gracious
Hayat		Boy	Life; To live
Hajar		Boy	Flight
Teegan-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights		Unisex	Darling; Beautiful; Pretty
Haadiya		Girl	Leader; Guide
Giselle		Girl	Pledge
Tayyibah		Girl	A chaste woman
Flavia		Girl	Golden; Yellow-haired
Fatou		Girl	To abstain
Naiya		Girl	Purpose; Tenacity; Bright; Beautiful; To shine; Reed; Pipe
Naina		Girl	Eyes; Resurrection
Eunice		Girl	Good victory
Estella		Girl	Star
Taryn		Unisex	Land of Eoghan; People's ruler; Trespasser; Thunder; From a rocky cliff
Rahaf		Girl	Delicate or Fine person
Elva		Girl	World; Light; White; Elf
Elaf		Boy	Descendant; Familiarity
Liara		Unisex	Citadel; My light
Dolores-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Guide		Girl	Sorrows; Pain
Denisa		Girl	Alternate name of Dionysius; Of Zeus
Debora		Girl	Bee
Livvy		Girl	Olive
Corinne		Girl	Beautiful maiden; Greek goddess of the underworld
Clemence		Girl	Merciful; Gentle
Rosalee		Girl	Rose
Rosalia-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Origin,-Pronunciation,-Trends		Girl	Rose; Beautiful rose
Lucinda		Girl	Light
Rosina		Girl	Rose; Fame
Casi		Girl	Name of a prophetess; To excel; To shine
Cariad		Unisex	Love; Affection; Darling; Sweetheart
Violette		Girl	Violet; Purple flower
Misty-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-History-&-Complete-Guide		Girl	Mist; Light fog; Blurry haze
Betsi		Girl	God is an oath
Saba		Girl	Breeze; Grandfather; Pole
Afia-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity,-And-Personality		Girl	A child who is born on Friday
Ariam		Unisex	Gift from God
Alva		Unisex	His Highness; Fairy; Elf

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