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
Rushank		Unisex	Son of Swati; Father of Chitraratha; A variant of Rusanka
Ruslan-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	One who is like a Lion
Rye-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin,-History-&-Trends		Boy	An island meadow; At the river; To clear
Ryleigh-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-2025-Popularity-Guide		Girl	Rye clearing
Saahir		Boy	Charming; Wakeful
Saaim		Girl	To go without food; To fast
Saajan		Unisex	Beloved; A loveable person; Dear friend; Good man; Lover; Sweetheart
Saalim		Boy	Safe; Intact; Healthy; Undamaged
Saam		Girl	Seed; Fire; Precious coin; Likeness; Similarity
Sabastian		Boy	Revered; Venerable
Sadat		Boy	Lord; Master; Gentleman
Sadin		Boy	An accomplishing person; Desert greenery
Safin		Unisex	Ships; Boats; Clean; Pure
Safiullah-Name:-Meaning,-Origin-&-Complete-Guide-For-2025		Unisex	Pure one of Allah
Saheb		Boy	Companion; Friend
Saheim-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origin-&-Nicknames		Boy	A warrior
Sahel		Boy	A shore; Beach
Sahim		Unisex	Partner; Arrow
Saiansh-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Trends,-Nicknames		Unisex	God's own portion
Salahuddeen		Boy	Faith is pure and righteous
Salar		Boy	Leader; Commander
Saman		Boy	Order; Arrangement; Disposition; Calm; Solace
Samarvir		Boy	Hero of a war or battle; Valiant or heroic in war or battle
Samba		Boy	Happy; Fortunate; To console
Sander		Boy	Defender of people
Santi		Boy	Saint; Saint James
Sarvin		Boy	One who is the best archer; Beautiful like a cypress
Sascha		Boy	Defender; Protector of mankind
Savio		Boy	Wise; Learned; Savior; To save; One who saves
Savir		Boy	To save; Ruler; Leader; To know
Sayeed		Boy	The master; To be happy; Blessed
Sayhan		Boy	Traveling and moving about on land
Sayon		Unisex	Reliable; Trustworthy
Seeley-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Blessed; Fortunate; Prosperous; Happy; Pious, Innocent; Harmless
Sekou		Boy	Leader of a tribe; An elderly man; Islamic scholar
Sem		Boy	Name; A son of Noah
Semir		Boy	Companion in evening talk; To talk in the evening
Senay		Boy	A moon of happiness; Merry moon
Seva		Boy	Service; Attendance; Care
Shadi		Girl	Singer; Happiness; Seeker of knowledge
Shadrach		Boy	Command of Aku, the Babylonian god of the moon
Shafi		Boy	Intercessor; Mediator; Healer
Shahab-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Origin-&-Key-Insights		Boy	Shooting star; Meteor
Shahadat		Boy	Sacrifice; Martyrdom; Evidence; Testimony
Shaheed		Boy	Lion; Strength of God; A witness; A martyr
Shahmir		Girl	King-like
Shakai		Unisex	God; One of the names of Jesus
Shalom		Girl	Peace; Well-being; Hello
Shammah		Boy	Is there; Appalling desolation
Shanay		Boy	God is gracious; Beautiful
Shannon		Unisex	Old; Ancient; Wise; Old river
Sharav		Unisex	Pure; Innocent
Shariq		Boy	Rising from the East; Companion
Sharvil		Girl	Lord Krishna
Shaul		Boy	Asked for; Prayed for
Shaw		Boy	Wolf; Thicket; Copse
Shehryar		Boy	Lord; King
Shem		Boy	Name; Renown
Sherwin		Boy	Swift runner; To shear wind
Shezan		Girl	A beautiful girl
Shray		Boy	Credit; Shelter
Shreyas		Boy	Superior; Best
Shubham		Boy	Splendid; Bright; Auspicious
Si-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Summer; Rosy clouds; Take charge; Earn; Victory; Prayer; Scholar
Siaan		Unisex	God's gift
Sian		Girl	God's gracious gift
Sidar		Girl	Shade; Canopy
Sigurd		Boy	Victorious guardian
Silviu		Boy	Forest; Woods; A variant of Silvius
Simao		Boy	A man who is obedient
Simone-Name-Meaning:-A-Complete-Guide-For-Expecting-Moms		Unisex	He who hears; Listener
Sire		Girl	Beautiful victory; Senior
Sixten		Boy	Victorious stone
Skylar		Unisex	Scholar; Shield; Eternal life; Strength; Love
Sobhan		Boy	Prosperity, happiness, charm
Sofiane-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Pronunciation-&-Numerology		Boy	Wool; Pure; Clean; Thin; Slim
Soham		Boy	I am He
Soma-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	Lunar nectar; Dogwood; Cornel tree
Sorren		Unisex	Stern; Strict; Severe
Sriyan		Unisex	Prosperous journey; A vehicle of success
Stanton		Boy	He who comes from the stony town
Suhan		Girl	Pure; Innocent
Sukhveer		Boy	Happy hero
Suryansh		Boy	A part of the Sun
Sushanth		Unisex	Quiet; Calm; Peaceful; Placid
Suyash		Boy	Good fame; Illustrious
Swaley		Boy	Winding stream
Tadeo-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Heart; Gift of God
Tae		Boy	Great; Exalted; Superior; Glory; Peaceful; Good; Very; Extreme; Many crystals
Tafadzwa		Unisex	We are pleased
Tafari-Name:-Meaning,-Origin-And-Popularity-Guide-For-2025		Boy	He who inspires awe
Taheem		Boy	Honored
Taimoor		Boy	Lion; Self-respecting; Self-reliant; Strong
Taite		Unisex	Cheerful; Bright; Pleasant
Taiyo		Unisex	Sun; Strong sunlight; Ocean
Tamjid		Boy	A glorified and praised man
Taqi		Boy	Devout; Pious; God-fearing
Tarik		Boy	Visitor; Knocker at the door; Strike
Tay-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Unisex	To cut
Tayden-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Origins,-And-Nicknames		Boy	To cut

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