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

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Browse Top Baby Names by Year

Name		Gender	Meaning
Kanika		Girl	Seed; Piece of gold; Atom; A flower; Black cloth
Kassie		Girl	Shining upon men
Keisha		Girl	Restored to the heart of God; Cassia tree; Cinnamon
Kelis		Girl	Bright-headed; War; Strife; Church; Helper; Defender
Kensi-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Popularity,-&-Pronunciation		Boy	Handsome; Beautiful; Good
Khalia		Girl	Solitary; One who is alone by herself; That which has passed; Empty
Khawla		Girl	Female deer; Gazelle; Doe
Klea-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Complete-Guide		Girl	Glory of the father
Ksenia-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-An-Essential-Guide		Girl	Hospitality; Foreigner; Guest
Laela		Girl	Dark-haired; Of God; Born at night
Lamisa		Girl	Table; Plateau
Layaan		Girl	Soft; Delicate; Gentle; Prosperous
Layana		Unisex	Shining; Glowing; Place of rest
Lexus-Name:-Origin,-Meaning-&-History-|-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Helper; Defender
Lilla:-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Girl	Blue; Envious; From Lydia, Play; Amusement; My god is an oath
Lillyanna		Girl	Pure; Gracious; Lily flower; My God is an oath; Favour; Grace
Lilo-Name-Meaning,-Origin-and-Popularity:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Generous one; God is my oath; Man; Army
Lilya-Name-Meaning:-Expert-Guide-To-Origins,-Popularity-&-More		Girl	Pure; Lily flower
Lleucu		Girl	A light that is cherished
Loa-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Golden plover; Famous in battle; Laurel; From Laurentum; Ancestor's descendant
Lourdes		Girl	French town; Craggy slope
Luchia-Name-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity:-Key-Insights		Girl	Light; Illumination
Lucianna		Girl	Light
Lya		Unisex	Weary; Cow
Lyric-Name-Meaning-In-2025:-Everything-Parents-Need-To-Know		Girl	Songlike
Maaya		Unisex	Curious; Annoying; Stubborn; Kind; Lost; Bewildered; Cheerful
Madi		Boy	Of Magdala; Son of Maud; Strength in battle
Madisyn-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-Popularity-&-More		Girl	Child of a mighty warrior; Son of Maud; Matthew's son; Strength in battle
Maeva		Girl	Welcome; She who intoxicates
Maheera		Unisex	Highly skilled; Expert
Mahrosh		Girl	Moonlight; Piece of the moon; Pleasant
Mahsa		Girl	Moon-like
Mahum		Unisex	Moonlight
Makeda		Girl	One who achieved Greatness
Mala		Girl	Necklace; Throat; Strength in battle
Malaikah		Girl	One who is like a heavenly being; Like an angel
Malina		Girl	Soothing; Disciple of St. Columba; Raspberry; Small
Maliya		Girl	A sea of rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved
Mallory		Girl	Unhappy; Unlucky
Manar-Name-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Pronunciation:-Complete-Guide		Girl	One whose light is the guide to others; Beacon
Manuella		Girl	God is with us
Marija		Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child
Maryum		Unisex	Virtuous; Pious; God-fearing
Maymunah		Girl	Auspicious and blessed
Meg-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-Parents		Girl	Pearl
Melinda		Girl	Beautiful honey; Sweet; Bee; Dark-skinned
Micaela		Girl	Who is like God?
Mili		Girl	To meet; To find; Who is for me; Miracle; Gracious; Dear
Minna		Girl	Will; Desire; Protection; Faithful guard; Courtly love
Moana-Name-Meaning,-Origin-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Ocean; Vast expanse of water
Morven		Boy	The big gap; Name of a region in Scotland
Morwenna		Girl	Maiden; Girl; Waves of the sea
Mumtaz		Unisex	Excellence; Distinguished
Nafeesa		Girl	Precious; Valuable; Extremely desired; Something so good and valuable that people compete for it
Nara		Girl	Happy; Country; Sun; Pomegranate tree; Man
Neli-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Popularity-&-Pronunciation		Unisex	Touch; Shining light; Sunday; Grace
Nida		Girl	Call; Proclaim
Noemie-Name-Meaning,-History,-Pronunciation-&-Nicknames		Girl	Pleasantness; Good; Lovely; Wisdom
Nourah		Unisex	Light; Radiant
Otylia		Girl	Heritage; Wealth; Fortune
Pari-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity,-Nicknames-&-More		Girl	Fairy; Angel; Circumambulate
Parneet		Girl	Married
Patricija		Girl	Croatian form of Patricia; Noble
Radhika		Girl	Successful; Prosperity
Raghad		Girl	Affluence; Comfort; Ease; Opulence
Ramlah-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Trends		Girl	A grain of sand
Raphaela		Girl	God heals; God has healed
Raphaella		Girl	God heals; God has healed
Raquel		Girl	Female sheep; Ewe
Rayhana		Girl	Basil; Fragrant; Good scent
Raysa		Girl	Hero; Warrior; Chosen one; Leader; Rose
Regina		Girl	Queen
Rehma-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-What-You-Need-To-Know		Girl	A loving person; Kind; Compassionate
Renaya		Girl	Knee; Born-again
Rheya		Girl	To flow; Ground
Riah		Unisex	To flow; Ground
Romi		Girl	My height; My exaltation; Dew of the sea
Rut		Girl	Friend
Saalihah		Girl	A righteous and pious person
Safoora		Unisex	God-fearing; Pious; Chosen
Saima		Girl	Fasting
Saiya		Girl	Purple; Entrance; Shadow
Saleha		Girl	Virtuous
Salina-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Heaven; Light; Moon
Samaa		Girl	Sky
Saniya		Girl	Brilliant; Splendid; Second Child
Saniyah		Girl	Second child; Splendid; Brilliant
Sanvika		Unisex	Goddess Lakshmi
Saphia-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Pure; Sincere friend; Wisdom; Virtuous; Untainted; Innocent
Sapphira		Girl	Sapphire; Lapis lazuli
Savreen		Unisex	Radiant; Compassionate; Strong
Saylor		Unisex	Acrobat; Dancer; Boatman; Seafarer; Mariner; Ropemaker
Sefora		Girl	Bird
Sereen		Girl	Calme, Serene, Peaceful
Shauna		Boy	Yahweh is gracious; God is gracious; Gift
Shayma		Unisex	Beauty marks
Shyanne-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Red speakers
Sima		Girl	Limit; Boundary, Frontier; Iinfinite; Treasure; Treasure; Precious; collection of valuable objects; Flat-nosed
Simi		Unisex	Meditation; Listening; Hearing; Recollection
Sireen		Girl	Flower; Satiated

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