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
Laycee		Girl	Graceful; Charming; Pleasant
Leiah		Girl	Weary
Leiana-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Expert-Insights		Girl	To bind; Climbing vine; Soft; Tender; Delicate; Wreath
Lelia		Girl	Ardor; Warmth
Leliana-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-History-&-Nickname-Guide		Girl	Beauty of the night; Like a lily flower
Lenae		Unisex	Twinflower
Leonna		Girl	Lion
Lesedi		Girl	A ray of light
Lexia		Unisex	Defender of mankind
Lexis		Girl	Defender
Leyan-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Popularity-&-Personality-Guide		Unisex	Gentle; Soft; Delicate; Clearing; Favor; Grace
Leyana-Baby-Name:-Guide-To-Pronunciation,-Meaning,-&-More		Girl	Bright; Radiant
Leylah		Girl	Night
Liane		Girl	Downy-bearded
Libbi		Girl	A Vow that is made to the God
Lida		Girl	Loved by people; Grace; Nobleness; Delicate
Liliah-Baby-Name:-Meaning,-Popularity-&-Complete-Guide		Girl	Lily
Liliya		Girl	Lily; Purity
Lilliann		Girl	Name of a flower; Lily
Lilyann		Girl	Purity; Innocence; Grace
Lilyanne		Girl	From the flower name Lily; Purity; Favor; Grace; My God is an oath
Lilybelle-Baby-Name:-Origin,-Meaning-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	From the flower name Lily; Purity; My God is an oath; Beautiful
Lima		Girl	One who lives on the banks of the Lima river; Beautiful horse; Black; Dawn; Reason; Power; Establish
Lin		Girl	Beautiful jade; Gem; Forest
Lindi		Girl	Linden tree; Soft; Flexible; Beautiful
Linh		Girl	Soul; Spirit
Lita-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-Popularity:-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Gladly; Manly
Liyan		Girl	Snowshoe; Black and beautiful
Liyla		Unisex	Night; Dark
Lolita		Girl	Sorrows
Lorie		Girl	Laurel tree; Famous army; Kingdom of Lothar; Made of gold; Glorious
Lorien		Boy	Land of Gold
Lorin		Boy	Laurel; From Laurentum
Loti		Girl	Man; Army; Free man; Petite
Lotus-Name:-Ultimate-Guide-To-Meaning-And-2025-Popularity		Girl	Lotus flower
Louanna		Girl	Gracious warrior; Brave woman
Louna		Girl	Moon
Loveday		Girl	Famous in battle
Loza-Baby-Name:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Popularity-&-More		Unisex	Light
Luce-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Complete-Guide		Boy	Light
Lucienne		Girl	Illumination; Glow
Lyrah		Unisex	Name of the constellation in the northern sky
Maarya		Unisex	A lady of fair complexion
Madalena		Girl	Of Magdala
Madaline		Girl	Of Magdala; Tower
Maggi		Girl	Woman lovely as a pearl
Magnolia-Name-Meaning:-History,-Popularity,-And-Nicknames		Girl	Name of Flower
Mahdiyah		Boy	Guided by God
Mahika		Girl	Earth; Mist; Dew; Fog
Mahjabeen		Girl	A radiant woman with a face like a moon
Mahlet		Unisex	Praise to God
Mahli-Name-Meaning,-Origin,-And-History:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Boy	Weak; Sick
Mahnaz-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Popularity-&-Numerology		Girl	Moon; Delight; Comfort
Maila		Girl	Strength in battle
Maimoona:-Complete-Guide-To-Meaning,-Pronunciation-&-Popularity		Girl	A blessed one; Auspicious; Favorable
Maimunah		Girl	Auspicious; Blessed; Favorable
Maisah		Girl	Walking with a proud; Swinging gait
Maiyah		Unisex	Water; Illusion; Dame
Maiza		Girl	Only one; Graceful; Distinguisher of good and bad
Makenna		Girl	The one born of fire; Beautiful; Good
Mama		Girl	One who is born on Saturday; True; Reality; Mother
Mamie-Name-Meaning:-Origin,-Variations-&-Popularity-Guide		Girl	A pearl-like woman; Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child
Manya		Girl	A sea of bitterness and sorrow; Rebelliousness; Respected
Marella		Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebellious
Maren		Girl	Of the sea; Star of the sea; True love; Ocean loving
Margarida-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Pearl
Mariette		Girl	Beloved; Wished for child; Sea of bitterness
Marisha-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Bitter; Of the sea; Respectable lady; Venerable woman
Mariska		Girl	Of the sea; Bitter
Marium		Unisex	Of the sea; Bitter; Beloved; Rebelliousness
Marjan-Name-Guide:-Pronunciation,-Numerology-&-More		Boy	Beloved; Drop of the sea; Wished for a child; Coral; Male
Marlene		Girl	Drop of the sea; From Magdala
Marney		Girl	Of the sea; Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male; Sparkling; Shining
Massa		Boy	Son of Ishmael; Mistress
Mayameen		Girl	A woman blessed with bravery
Maycee		Girl	From the Massy town
Maysoon		Boy	Beautiful face and body
Mehetabel		Girl	God makes happy; How good is God; God has done good to us
Mehwish		Girl	As beautiful as the moon
Meia		Girl	Strength; Rebelliousness; Son of Talmai
Meilani		Girl	Heavenly flower; Dark; Heavenly May
Melodi		Girl	Singing; Chanting; Melody
Melyssa		Girl	A sweet girl; Honey bee
Meng		Girl	Vision; Fierce; Drizzle; First month of a season; Precious
Meriel		Girl	A shining and sparkling sea
Merve		Boy	The first pebble from the heaven; A fragrant plant; White stone
Midori		Girl	Green
Miliana-Name-Meaning-&-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Parents		Girl	Gracious; Dear
Millan		Girl	Loving; Pleasant; Gracious; Rival; Person who lives near a mill
Milou		Boy	Famous in battle; Famous warrior; Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved; Love;
Minah-Baby-Name-Guide:-Meaning,-Origins-And-Popularity		Girl	Will; Helmet; Protection; Security
Mirai-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-Complete-Guide-For-Parents		Girl	The future; The time that is yet to come; Wait; Beauty; Thunder
Mirielle-Name-Meaning-And-Origin:-A-Comprehensive-Guide		Girl	Bright sea
Miroslava		Boy	Grandfather
Misa		Girl	Beautiful sea; Three; Fine sand; Happiness; Who is like God
Misk		Unisex	Boundary; Sweet; Honey
Mitra-Name-Meaning:-Complete-Guide-To-Origin-&-Popularity		Boy	Friend; Ally; Oath; Agreement
Mitzy		Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved; Love
Molli		Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved; Love
Monisha		Girl	Intellectual; Knowledgeable; Wise; Brilliant; Beautiful; Woman

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