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
Vienna		Girl	The capital of Austria; Forest stream
Madeline-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-History,-And-Variants		Girl	Of Magdala; High Tower
Yusra		Girl	Wealth; Ease
Bentley-Name-Meaning,-Origin-and-Popularity-in-2025:-A-Guide		Boy	Bent grass clearing; Bent grass woodland
Ismaeel		Boy	God has heard
Jace-Baby-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-in-2025		Boy	Healer; To heal
Keegan		Boy	Son of Aodhagán; Son of Fire
Cruz		Boy	Cross; Crucifix
Agnes-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Chaste; Pure
Astrid		Girl	Godly strength; Divine beauty
Natan		Boy	He gave
Laurence		Boy	A person from the place of the laurel trees, From Laurentum
Tate		Unisex	Cheerful; Well-built; Heart; Gift of God
Jannat-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Girl	A garden of Heaven; Paradise
Reeva		Girl	To tie; To bind; To join
Noel:-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity-And-Variants---Complete-Guide		Boy	Christmas
Maddie		Girl	Of Magdala; Tower; Son of Maud
Aaminah		Girl	Safe; Protected; Devoted; Honest; Faithful; Obedient
Mylo		Unisex	Merciful; Soldier; Gracious
Montgomery-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Gomeric's hill; Gumarich's hill
Betty		Girl	Oath of God
Niall		Boy	Champion; Hero; Passionate; Cloud
Zayan		Boy	Beautiful; Handsome; Nice; Bright
Frances-Name-Meaning,-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	From France; Free one
Isa-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Your-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Ice; Jesus; Yahweh is salvation; My God is an oath
Dottie		Girl	God's gift
Michelle-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Girl	Who is like God?
Luis		Boy	Famous in battle
Claudia		Girl	Lame; Differently abled; Crippled; Closed
Sylvie		Girl	A lady of the woods or forest
Lawrence		Boy	From Laurentum; Bright; Shining
Zachariah		Boy	God remembers; Yahweh remembers
Dougie		Boy	Dark river; Green; Grey; Water; Black imposter
Iqra		Girl	Read; To recite; Confess
Anais-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-2025		Girl	Highly gracious; Merciful; Immaculate; Undefiled; Goddess of fertility, healing, wisdom, and water
Clark		Boy	Clerk; Priest; Scribe
Khalid		Boy	Eternal; Immortal; To last forever
Ruth		Girl	Friend; Famous spear
Leyla		Girl	Night; Daughter of the night
Lia-Name-Meaning:-Origins,-Variations-&-Popularity		Girl	Weary; Cow; Rose; Downy bearded; Bearer of good news
Mikolaj		Boy	The victory of mankind
Malakai-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity-In-2025:-Complete-Guide		Boy	My messenger; My angel
Archibald-Name-Meaning:-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Popularity		Boy	Holy and bold; Genuine and brave; Brave master
Iona		Boy	Yew tree; Yahweh is gracious; Yahweh has given
Winnie		Girl	White; Blessed; Stream; Flow; Pacify; Quell; Reconcile
Maksymilian		Boy	The greatest man
Jaden-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-What-You-Need-To-Know		Boy	God has heard; Thankful; He will judge
Saoirse-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Popularity-Trends-in-2025		Girl	Liberty; Freedom
Ariya		Girl	Honorable; Noble; Aryan; Song; Melody
Johnny-Baby-Name-Meaning-In-2025:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	God is gracious
Magnus-Name-Guide:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity-In-2025		Boy	Large; Great
Alaya		Girl	High Status; Exalted; Sublime; Dwelling; Abode; Imperishable; Permanence
Alistair		Boy	Defender of the people
Elis		Girl	God's promise; My God is my Yahweh
Marco		Boy	Dedicated to Mars; Roman God of war; Warlike
Cassius		Boy	Empty; Vain; Hollow
Ibraheem		Boy	Father of many
Olivier		Boy	Olive tree; Ancestor's descendant; Planter of olive trees; All cautious
Hashim		Boy	Crusher of evil; Breaker of bread
Marwa-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-3-Essential-Facts		Girl	Flint (stone); Quartz; A hard stone of nearly pure silica; name of a fragrant plant; A hill near Mecca
Edison		Boy	Son of Eda; Son of Adam
Aron		Boy	Exalted; High mountain; Teaching; Singing
Erica		Girl	Forever strong; Everlasting ruler; Heather
Bianca		Girl	White; Pure; Fair-colored
Lucie		Girl	Light; Illumination
Ellen-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-History,-Popularity-&-Variants		Girl	Torch; Corposant
Elsa:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity		Girl	God is my oath
Zayaan		Boy	Beautifier; Beautiful; Handsome
Stephen		Boy	Crown; Wreath; Fame; Honor; Reward
Lennox		Boy	Place of elms
Aahil		Boy	King; Monarch; Great ruler; Great king
Woody		Boy	A land covered with trees; Wooded area; Row of houses by a wood
Kitty		Girl	Each of the two; Pure; My consecration of your name
Alma-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Boy	Nourishing; Fostering; Soul; Young woman
Anika-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Girl	Army; Splendor; Favor; Grace; Goddess Durga; Soldier; Army; Face; Elegance; Edge; Point
Macey-Name-Meaning-In-2025:-Origin,-History-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Person from Massy, France
Gabrielle		Girl	God is my strength; Strong woman of God
Halima		Girl	Patient; Tolerant; Gentle; Mild mannered; Generous
Margaret-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-7-Essential-Facts		Girl	Pearl
Minahil		Girl	Fountain; Spring
Josh-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Jehovah is salvation; Pleasure; Satisfaction; Enthusiasm
Philip		Boy	Horse lover
Greyson-Name-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Son of the gray-haired man; Son of the steward
Haider-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Lion; Warrior
Ashley		Boy	Ash tree meadow; Meadow of Ash trees; Of the Ash tree meadow
Azaan		Boy	Announcement; Call to prayer
Ilyas		Boy	Yahweh is my God
Aleksandra		Girl	Defender of mankind
Freyja		Girl	Lady
Kaitlyn		Girl	Pure; Each of the two; Clear; Innocent
Aadam		Boy	Father of mankind; To be red; To make; Man
Bruno-Name-Meaning-&-History:-Popularity-Trends-In-2025		Boy	Armor; Protection; Burnished; Polished; Brown
Clayton-Name-Meaning-and-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Clay settlement
Lachlan		Boy	Land of the lakes; Warlike
Kobi		Boy	Holder of the heel; May God protect; Born On Tuesday
Aston		Boy	East town; Noble stone; Ash tree town
Myra		Girl	Myrr;
Myah		Girl	Water; Good mother; Illusion; Courage
Ciara		Girl	Dark-haired; Dark-complexioned; Black; Mountain range; Bright; Famous
Samantha-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity-and-More		Girl	Name of God; Flower

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