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
Bodhi		Boy	One who is awakened and enlightened
Margot		Girl	Pearl
Connie		Unisex	Steadfast; Reliable
Cameron-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	One with the crooked nose
Lena-Baby-Name-Guide:-Origin,-Meaning-And-Popularity		Girl	Torch; Bright shining light; Of Magdala; Tower
Lenny		Boy	Brave lion; Hard; Brave; Hardy
Jonah		Boy	Dove; Peaceful
Nina-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Ultimate-Guide		Girl	Fire; Fish; Ancient city of Nineveh; Little girl; God is gracious; Strong
Ruben-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Behold, a son
Sadie		Girl	Princess; Noblewoman
Maximilian		Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
Bailey-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Administrator; Manager; Bailiff; Porter
Zahra-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Your-Complete-Guide		Girl	Shining; Blooming flower; Brilliant
Mabel		Girl	Lovable
Christopher		Boy	Bearer of Christ; One who carries Christ
Skyla		Girl	Scholar; Sky; Cloud
Aidan:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity		Unisex	Little fire
Rex:-2025-Guide-To-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	King
Syed		Unisex	Leader
Piper		Girl	Pipe player; Pepper
Eesa		Unisex	Jesus; Yahweh is salvation
Katie-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Pure; Clear; Innocent; Flawless
Anastasia		Girl	Resurrection; Coming again
Vinnie		Unisex	To conquer; Elf friend
Seren		Girl	Star; Baby gazelle; Sky; Clear' Cloudless; Peaceful; Clear; Bright; Fair; Joyous; Calm
Wilfred		Unisex	Desiring peace
Spencer		Unisex	Dispenser of provisions
Natalia		Girl	Christmas day; Born on Christmas day; Of or concerning birth
Naomi-Baby-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Pleasantness; Beautiful; Straight; Direct
Yahya		Boy	God is gracious; Manly
Rosa		Girl	Rose; Dew
Ahmed-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Key-Insights-For-Expecting-Moms		Boy	Highly praised; Most commendable
Myles		Boy	Peaceful; Gracious; Soldier; Mill
Tristan-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Your-Baby		Unisex	Sad; Melancholy
Maja-Name-Meaning:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin-And-Popularity		Girl	Splendid; Mother; Great
Rebecca		Girl	To tie; To bind
Bradley-Name-Meaning:-Everything-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	A broad clearing or field
Amira		Girl	Princess; Treetop; Commander
Penny		Girl	A coin; Weaver; Duck
Zakariya-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Key-Insights		Boy	Yahweh remembers
Beau		Boy	Beautiful; Handsome
Aliza		Girl	Joyful; Blissful; Pleasant
Marley		Boy	Marshy meadow; Pleasant wood; Boundary; Pleasant seaside meadow;
Ted-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-and-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Wealth; Fortune; Guard
Inaaya		Girl	Care; Concern
Jason		Boy	To heal; Healer
Alana		Girl	Harmony; Offering; Beautiful; Exalted; Precious; Child
Frank-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Free person; Open-hearted; Germanic tribe
Alexa		Girl	Defender of mankind
Aizah		Unisex	Noble; Respected
Maximus		Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
Lois		Girl	Most desirable; Better
Peter:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning-&-Popularity		Boy	Rock; Stone
Lyra		Girl	Of the lyre; Song
Abdullah		Boy	Servant of Allah; Servant of God
Rhys		Boy	Ardor; Enthusiasm; Fiery warrior; War hammer
Maggie		Girl	Pearl
Liliana		Girl	Lily; Purity; Innocence
Flynn		Unisex	Blood-red; Ruddy; Crimson
Rayan-Name-Meaning-and-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-for-2025		Boy	Wise; Smart; Thinker; Watered; Luxuriant; Little king; Gate to Heaven
Cleo		Girl	Fame; Glory; Glory of the father
Antoni-Baby-Name-In-2025:-A-Guide-To-Origin-And-Meaning		Boy	Priceless; Praiseworthy; Flower
Khadija		Girl	Premature child
Zuzanna		Girl	Lily; Rose; Lotus
Raphael		Boy	God heals
Hayden		Unisex	Hay hill
Xavier-Baby-Name:-Origin,-Meaning-&-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	New house; Bright
Leila		Girl	Night time; Dark
Isaiah-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Yahweh is salvation; God saves
Otis		Boy	Wealth; Son of Ode
Miles		Boy	Gracious; Merciful; Soldier
Elise-Baby-Name-Complete-Guide:-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Girl	God is my oath
Ayesha-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-Variations-&-Popularity-Trends		Girl	Living; Alive; Happy; Woman
Chester-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Pronunciation		Boy	Camp; Fortress
Hazel-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	The hazel tree
Mariam-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Wished for a child; Bitter
Abel-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Complete-Guide		Boy	Breath; Vapor; Son; Noble; Strength; Fortitude
India-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Girl	Country originating in river Indus; Body of trembling water, river
Xander-Meaning,-Origin-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Defender of people
Aoife		Girl	Beautiful; Radiant
Annabel		Girl	Lovable; Grace; Favor
Alba-Name-Meaning-&-History:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Unisex	Sunrise; White; Dawn
Ashton		Boy	Ash tree town; From the ash tree farm
Mohamed		Boy	Reliable; Always worthy of trust and belief; Worthy of high responsibility; Commendable; Praised
Jensen-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity		Boy	Son of Jens; God is merciful; God is Gracious
Zayn		Boy	Beauty; Grace; Handsome; Excellent; Adornment
Georgina		Girl	Farmer; Earthworker
Safa		Girl	Serenity; Clarity
Hamza:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Boy	Strong; Steadfast
Sam:-Meaning,-History,-Variants,-And-Popularity-Complete-Guide		Boy	Name of God; God has heard; Sun
Keira		Girl	Little dark-haired one
Idris-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Interpreter; Ardent lord
Amina-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Honest; Trustworthy; Safe; Protected
Taylor-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Tailor; To cut
Nicole		Girl	Victory of the people
Alicia-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation,-And-Popularity		Girl	Noble; Kind; Nobility
Abdul		Boy	Servant of the God; Servant of the powerful
Conor		Boy	Lover of wolves; Hunter; Desiring wolves
Enzo-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Pronunciation,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Ruler of an estate or a house; Victorious
Cora-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-Variations-&-Complete-Guide		Girl	Maiden; Girl; Daughter

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