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
Samantha-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin,-Popularity-and-More		Girl	Name of God; Flower
Ayman		Boy	Blessed; Righteous; Right-handed; Good fortune
Ciara		Girl	Dark-haired; Dark-complexioned; Black; Mountain range; Bright; Famous
Kane-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-Meaning,-And-Popularity		Boy	Son of Cathán; Warrior; Battle; Barnacle goose
Koby-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Popularity-&-Key-Insights		Boy	May God protect; Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Andre		Boy	Strong; Manly
Hendrix		Boy	Home ruler
Eduard		Boy	Rich guard
Issac-Name-Meaning-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	He will laugh
Blossom		Girl	Flower-like
Adriana		Unisex	From Hadria; Woman from Hadria; The dark one
Livia		Girl	Envious; Blue; To envy; Olive
Henrietta-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Complete-Guide		Girl	Ruler of an estate; Ruler of the home
Milena		Girl	Gracious; Dear
Serena		Girl	Serene; Tranquil; Clear; Mermaid
Hafsah-Name-Meaning:-Essential-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Girl	Female lion cub; Little lioness
Dawid		Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Yunus-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Dove; Peaceful being; God's gift; Accomplishment
Aaryan		Girl	Noble; Educated; High-born
Arham		Boy	Merciful
Amari-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin-&-Everything-You-Need-To-Know		Unisex	Promised by God; Courage; Moon; Gracious; Immortal; Surplus; Long-lived
Prince		Boy	Royal descendant
Aleeza-Name-Meaning:-3-Key-Facts-About-Origin-&-Popularity		Girl	Happiness; Joyful
Percy-Name-Origin-And-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	One who pierces the valley
Zakaria		Boy	Yahweh remembers
Joanna		Girl	God is gracious
Aliya-Name-Origin-And-Meaning-In-2025:-A-Complete-Guide		Girl	Highborn; Exalted; Ascent
Kasper-Baby-Name-Comprehensive-Guide:-Origin,-Meaning,-History		Boy	Treasurer; Holder of treasure
Eshaal		Girl	Kindled; A flower from paradise
Erika		Girl	Sole ruler; Eternal ruler; Ever powerful; Heather
Kyra		Girl	Throne; Sun; Young; Lord
Fearne		Boy	One who lived in a place covered with ferns
Mario		Boy	Warlike; Mars; Male
Zane-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Yahweh is gracious; Lily
Hamish		Boy	Supplanter
Oliwier		Boy	Same to the olive fruit
Lucian-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Light; Illumination
Calvin		Boy	Bald
Vivienne		Girl	Alive; Life
Shanaya		Girl	First ray of Sun; Distinguished; Eminent
Sulaiman:-A-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origins-&-Popularity		Boy	Peace
Aila		Girl	Noble; Holy; Blessed; Halo; Moonlight; Terebinth tree
Santiago-Baby-Name:-Origin,-Meaning-&-Popularity-Guide		Unisex	Saint James; Holder of the heel; Supplanter
Aimee		Girl	Dearly loved; Beloved
Maddox		Boy	Son of Madoc; Fortunate
Atticus		Boy	From Attica; Athenian; Rugged coast
Demi		Girl	Earth mother; Goddess of harvest
Raya-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-For-New-Moms		Boy	Warrior; Happy; Queen; Fragrance; Night orchid; Wife or beloved; Celebration
Lacie-Name-Meaning,-Origin-&-Key-Insights		Girl	Joyful; From Lassy
Priya-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-History-&-Popularity		Girl	Beloved; Loved one
Albi		Unisex	White; Bright; My heart
Milana		Girl	Favor; Gracious; Dear
Wiktoria		Girl	Victory
Benedict		Boy	Blessed
Yaqub		Boy	Supplanter; Holder of the heel; May god protect
Euan		Boy	Born of the Yew tree; God is gracious
Abraham		Boy	Father of multitudes; Father of nations; High father; Crossing; Passage
Aydin		Boy	Fire; Enlightened; Illuminating; Clear
Hari		Boy	Brown; Yellow; Tawny; Hindu god Vishnu; Lion; Horse; Monkey; To shine; Ruler of the home; High
Deacon-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Servant; Messenger
Ioan-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	God is gracious
Klara		Girl	Clear; Bright; Famous
Honey-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Nectar; Sweet; Dear; Beloved
Lennie		Boy	Brave lion; Hard; Brave; Hardy
Cairo		Unisex	The victorious; The conqueror; The vanquisher
Dawud-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide		Boy	Beloved; Uncle
Eira		Girl	Snow; Mercy
Daniella-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	God is my judge
Brayden		Boy	Broad valley; Wise; Brave; Descendant of Bradán; Salmon
Heath		Boy	Someone who lived on or near a moor or heath
Yuvraj		Boy	Heir apparent; Crown prince; Young prince
Miller		Boy	Mill, Mill keeper
Amalia		Girl	Vigorous; Industrious; Brave
Kiera		Girl	Little dark one; Dark-headed; Dusky; Black
Amiyah		Girl	The end
Aiyla-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Girl	Island
Carys-Name-Meaning,-History,-And-Variants:-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Love; Beloved; Precious; Grace; Kindness
Regan		Boy	A little regal one
Yaseen		Unisex	Chapter of the Quran
Alby		Boy	World; Light; White; Rock
Igor		Boy	Warrior; Army of the Germanic god Yngvi
Maxim		Boy	Greatest; Supreme; Maximum; Eldest
Jonas		Boy	Dove; God is gracious
Kairo		Boy	Victorious; Attractive; Summer color
Diego		Boy	Teacher; Saint; Supplanter
Barney		Boy	Son of the Prophet; Son of consolation; A strong and brave bear
Cayden		Boy	War; Fighter; Son of Cadáin
Safiyyah		Girl	Pure
Sabrina-Name-Meaning-And-History:-Complete-Guide-For-Parents		Girl	Patient; Persevering; From the river Severn
Daphne		Girl	Laurel; Victory; Achievement
Fern		Unisex	One who lives among ferns
Pola-Baby-Name-Meaning:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Belonging to Apollo: Small and humble; Steel
Aayan		Boy	Long night; God's gift; Watchful
Renee-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Born again; Reborn; Rebirth
Hareem		Girl	Dedicated to God; Destroyed; With pierced nose; A sacred, forbidden place
Alyssia		Girl	Of the noble kind; Noble; Honorable
Emaan:-A-Comprehensive-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity		Unisex	Faith
Amayah		Girl	The end; Mother city; Heavenly valley; Close to God; Night rain
Bear		Boy	Produce; To give birth; Brown; Bear
Sia-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin-&-6-Insights-For-2025		Girl	Understanding; Cognizant; To perceive; Summer; Resurrection

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