Olivia has once again claimed the top spot as the most popular name for baby girls born in England and Wales during 2025, marking its tenth consecutive year at number one. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, derived from birth registrations, also confirms Muhammad as the leading name for boys for the third year in a row. These trends highlight a sustained preference for established names among new parents across the country.
For girls, Lily has seen a notable ascent, moving into second place and displacing Amelia, which now sits in third. Other popular choices in the top ten include Isla, Florence, Freya, Poppy, Elsie, Ivy, and new entry Isabella. The appeal of these names, many of which are described as 'nicknameable' and 'feminine', suggests parents are favouring elegant and versatile options for their daughters. Olivia was given to 2,386 baby girls in 2025, with Lily and Amelia following closely behind.
On the boys' side, Noah maintains its position as the second most popular name, with Leo rising to become the third most frequently chosen. Luca, Arthur, Oliver, George, Oscar, Theodore, and Freddie also feature prominently in the top ten. Muhammad was chosen for 5,957 baby boys, with variations such as Mohammed (20th) and Mohammad (55th) also proving popular, collectively representing a significant number of registrations. Noah and Leo were used 4,075 and 3,278 times respectively.
Beyond the top contenders, the ONS data reveals shifts further down the lists. New entries into the top 100 for girls include Eliana, Gracie, Alba, and Lilah, with Eliana showing a significant jump of 54 places in popularity. For boys, Carter, Ruben, Stanley, and Vincent have entered the top 100. Conversely, names such as Ellie, Amelie, and Jessica have fallen out of the girls' top 100, while Grayson, Brody, and Bodhi are no longer among the 100 most popular boys' names.
Experts suggest that the slow pace of change at the top of the charts is due to names building momentum over time, with increased exposure leading to broader appeal. However, some consultants express surprise at the enduring popularity of names like Olivia, noting a potential for parents to seek less common choices. Despite this, the tendency for families to be 'risk averse' when selecting a name that will last a lifetime contributes to the stability seen in the ONS rankings.
It is worth noting that while Olivia dominated in England and Wales, Scotland presented a different picture, with Freya replacing Olivia as the most popular girls' name, according to National Records of Scotland data. Noah, however, remained the top choice for boys north of the border, indicating some regional variations in naming trends across the UK.