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
Aleksander-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Defender of mankind
Wyatt-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Key-Insights		Boy	Brave at war; War strength
Otto		Boy	Fortune; Prosperity; Glorious wealth
Ariella		Girl	Lioness of God
Macie		Girl	Of Massy; Weapon; Gift of God
Tallulah		Girl	Leaping water; Town by the river; Rock
Josie		Girl	God will give; God is gracious
Casey		Boy	Vigilant; Watchful
Fatimah		Girl	To abstain; Chaste; Daughter of the Prophet Muhammad
Julian-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Expert-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Youthful; Bright; Juvenile; Downy-bearded
Asher		Boy	Happy; Blessed; Someone who lived by an ash tree or ash grove
Denis		Boy	Follower of Dionysius; Of Zeus;
Kiara-Name-Meaning,-Origins,-Variations-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Dark; Bright; Shining; Peaceful; A lady with dusk hair; First ray of the sun
Aryan-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-Complete-Guide-2025		Boy	Noble; Illustrious; Honorable; Educated
Emmanuel-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Variations		Boy	God is with us
Monty		Boy	Mountain belonging to a ruler; Pointed hill; Steep mountain
Helena		Girl	Torch; Shining light
Hafsa-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Female lion cub; Little lioness
Lillian		Girl	My god is an oath; Lily flower; Purity
Eden-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-Popularity-Complete-Guide		Girl	A place of delight; Pleasure; Plain; Wealthy bear
Ismail		Unisex	God listens
Jay-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Variations:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Victory; Jaybird
Zaynab		Unisex	A fragrant tree; Beauty; Life of Zeus
Lennon-Name-Meaning:-Essential-Guide-To-Origins-&-Popularity		Unisex	Cloak; Lover
Gabriela-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	God is my strength
Nadia-Baby-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Moms-To-Be		Girl	Hope; Moist; Tender; Delicate
Hassan-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Parents		Boy	Handsome; Good; Beautifier; Improver; Benefactor
Rafferty		Boy	Flood tide; Prosperity wielder
Reginald		Boy	Advice; Counsel; Authority
Caitlin		Girl	Pure; Chaste
Umar-Name-Meaning,-Origin-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Flourishing; Populous; Wealthy; Famous; Eloquent
Talia		Girl	Dew from God
Alexia		Girl	Defender or helper of the people
Hector		Boy	To check; To have; To hold; To restrain; Brown horse
Nicolas		Boy	Victory of the people
Rachel		Girl	Ewe; Female sheep
Ernest		Boy	Earnest; Warrior; Serious
Kayla-Baby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Crown of laurels; Who is like god
Emelia-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Rival; Laborious; Eager
Faye-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History,-And-Popularity-In-2025		Girl	Fairy; Loyalty; Beech tree; Belief
Teddie		Boy	Wealth; Fortune; Guard
Casper-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Boy	Treasurer
Miriam-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-Variants-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Beloved; Star of the sea
Franklin		Boy	Free landowner; Freeman
Constance-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-5-Variations		Girl	Steadfast; Constant
Alayna		Girl	Handsome; Little rock; Torch
Aarav		Boy	Peaceful melody; A calm noise
Lauren		Boy	From Laurentum; Laurel
Ralphie		Boy	Wolf counsel
Douglas		Boy	Dark river; Dark water
Harris:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Its-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Boy	Son of Harry; Home ruler; Army ruler
Nico		Boy	Victory of the people
Nyla-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Popularity-Trends-In-2025		Girl	Passion; Fury; Hero; Cloud
Angus		Boy	One force; One strength
Flora		Boy	Flower; Bloom
Rosalie		Girl	Rose; Beautiful rose; Rose garden
Buddy-Name-Meaning:-Complete-History,-Popularity,-And-More		Boy	Buddy; Brother; Companion
Aiza		Girl	Living; Rock; Stone; Golden moon; Visitor; Seat of love; Ravine
Jimmy-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Holder of the heel; Supplanter; May God protect
Fabian		Boy	Bean farmer
Joe-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	God will add
Alicja		Girl	Of the noble kind; Noble; Honorable
Ana-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Key-Insights-For-2025		Girl	Favor; Grace; Merciful
Audrey		Girl	Noble strength
Ewan		Boy	Born of the yew tree
Amir-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Variations-&-Popularity-Trends-2025		Boy	Ruler; Prince; Commander
Ivan-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History-In-2025:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Yahweh is gracious
Cohen		Boy	One who performs sacred rituals; Priest
Emilie		Girl	Rival; Industrious; Hardworking
Shay		Boy	Fine; Favorable; Learned; Gift; Yahweh is salvation
Alessia		Girl	Helper; Defender
Axel		Boy	Father is peace
Nia		Girl	Goal; Determination; Purpose; Bright; Female champion; Priceless; Luck
Brandon		Boy	Prince; Chieftain; Gorse hill; Hill covered with broom
Danny		Boy	God is my judge
Arjun-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity---Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	White; Clear; Made of silver; Lustrous; Dazzling
Dolly-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Gift of God; Sorrows
Minnie		Girl	Determined guardian; Resolute protector
Nell		Girl	Bright; Dazzling one; Torch
Richard		Boy	Brave ruler; Mighty king; Firm ruler
Tia-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Aunt; Goddess of light
Bertie-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History,-And-Pronunciation-Guide		Boy	Noble and bright; Bright army; Bright
Micah-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity:-2025-Complete-Guide		Boy	Who is like Yahweh?
Hana		Girl	Hope, Flower, Bliss, Number one, craft, Shine, Moon
Zion-Baby-Name:-Comprehensive-Guide-On-Meaning-And-Popularity		Unisex	Holy place; Utopia
Melody		Girl	Melody; Song
Rudy		Boy	Famous wolf
Aliyah		Girl	Exalted; Sublime; Ascent
Travis		Unisex	To cross over
Rafe		Boy	Council of the wolf; Wise wolf; God heals
Catherine		Girl	Pure
Oliwia		Girl	Olive; Olive tree; Ancestor's descendant; All cautious
Ahmad		Boy	Much praised; Most commendable
Declan		Boy	Full of goodness
Coby		Unisex	Supplanter; May God protect
Aubree		Girl	Elf ruler; King of the elves
Liyana		Girl	It is raining; Soft; Delicate; Flax; Beautiful; Elegant; Graceful
Kara		Boy	To love; Dark; Beloved
Alexandru		Boy	Defender of men
Stefan		Unisex	Crown; Wreath

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