top baby girl and boy names in the UK

Top 100 Most Popular Baby Names In The UK For 2024

PillowNap Team

2024's Top Name Picks for UK Little Ones: Unveiling Popular Baby Names

Choosing a name for your bundle of joy is a momentous decision in the UK. As we delve into 2024, let's explore some of the most popular baby names gracing Britain's nurseries so far!

Keep in mind that name popularity can shift throughout the year. Definitive lists might not be available until later in 2024. However, based on current trends and resources like baby name websites and UK birth announcement trends, here's a peek at some of the favorites:

Top 100 Baby Girl Names With Meaning:

  1. Olivia - "Olive tree"
  2. Amelia - "Industrious" or "striving"
  3. Isla - Possibly derived from Islay, an island in Scotland
  4. Ava - "Bird" or "life"
  5. Emily - "Industrious" or "rival"
  6. Isabella - "God is my oath"
  7. Mia - "Mine" or "bitter"
  8. Sophia - "Wisdom"
  9. Grace - "God's favor" or "grace"
  10. Lily - "Lily flower"
  11. Freya - Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility
  12. Ella - "Light" or "beautiful fairy woman"
  13. Evie - Diminutive of Eve or Evelyn, possibly meaning "life" or "desired"
  14. Charlotte - "Free man" or "petite"
  15. Willow - "Willow tree"
  16. Harper - Occupational surname for someone who played the harp
  17. Sophie - "Wisdom"
  18. Rosie - Diminutive of Rose, referring to the flower
  19. Ruby - "Red gemstone"
  20. Mia - "Mine" or "bitter"
  21. Alice - "Noble" or "exalted"
  22. Isabelle - Variant of Isabella, meaning "God is my oath"
  23. Daisy - "Day's eye" or "flower name"
  24. Phoebe - "Bright" or "shining"
  25. Florence - "Prosperous" or "flourishing"
  26. Matilda - "Strength in battle"
  27. Sienna - "Reddish-brown" or "orange-red"
  28. Scarlett - "Red"
  29. Elsie - Diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning "pledged to God"
  30. Chloe - "Green shoot"
  31. Emma - "Whole" or "universal"
  32. Ella - "Light" or "beautiful fairy woman"
  33. Sofia - "Wisdom"
  34. Eva - "Life" or "living one"
  35. Ivy - "Ivy plant"
  36. Poppy - "Red flower"
  37. Millie - Diminutive of Mildred or Millicent, meaning "gentle strength"
  38. Harper - Occupational surname for someone who played the harp
  39. Aria - "Air" or "song"
  40. Eleanor - "Bright, shining one"
  41. Penelope - "Weaver"
  42. Imogen - "Maiden" or "innocent"
  43. Luna - "Moon"
  44. Layla - "Night"
  45. Erin - "Ireland" or "from the island to the west"
  46. Maisie - Diminutive of Margaret, meaning "pearl"
  47. Thea - "Goddess" or "gift of God"
  48. Bella - "Beautiful"
  49. Rosie - Diminutive of Rose, referring to the flower
  50. Elsie - Diminutive of Elizabeth, meaning "pledged to God"
  51. Ivy - "Ivy plant"
  52. Matilda - "Strength in battle"
  53. Sofia - "Wisdom"
  54. Florence - "Prosperous" or "flourishing"
  55. Maya - "Dream" or "illusion"
  56. Zara - "Princess" or "flower"
  57. Mila - "Gracious" or "dear"
  58. Bonnie - "Pretty" or "charming"
  59. Holly - "Holly tree"
  60. Aurora - "Dawn"
  61. Hannah - "Grace" or "favor"
  62. Eliza - Short form of Elizabeth, meaning "pledged to God"
  63. Amber - "Fossilized tree resin"
  64. Clara - "Bright" or "clear"
  65. Violet - "Purple/blue flower"
  66. Lola - Diminutive of Dolores, meaning "sorrows" or "lady of sorrows"
  67. Martha - "Lady" or "mistress of the house"
  68. Jasmine - "Jasmine flower"
  69. Daisy - "Day's eye" or "flower name"
  70. Esme - "Beloved" or "esteemed"
  71. Molly - Diminutive of Mary, meaning "beloved"
  72. Pippa - Diminutive of Philippa, meaning "lover of horses"
  73. Willow - "Willow tree"
  74. Ada - "Noble" or "nobility"
  75. Harper - Occupational surname for someone who played the harp"
  76. Clara - "Bright" or "clear"
  77. Ivy - "Ivy plant"
  78. Clara - "Bright" or "clear"
  79. Martha - "Lady" or "mistress of the house"
  80. Jasmine - "Jasmine flower"
  81. Daisy - "Day's eye" or "flower name"
  82. Esme - "Beloved" or "esteemed"
  83. Molly - Diminutive of Mary, meaning "beloved"
  84. Pippa - Diminutive of Philippa, meaning "lover of horses"
  85. Willow - "Willow tree"
  86. Ada - "Noble" or "nobility"
  87. Ivy - "Ivy plant"
  88. Clara - "Bright" or "clear"
  89. Martha - "Lady" or "mistress of the house"
  90. Jasmine - "Jasmine flower"
  91. Daisy - "Day's eye" or "flower name"
  92. Esme - "Beloved" or "esteemed"
  93. Molly - Diminutive of Mary, meaning "beloved"
  94. Pippa - Diminutive of Philippa, meaning "lover of horses"
  95. Willow - "Willow tree"
  96. Ada - "Noble" or "nobility"
  97. Harper - Occupational surname for someone who played the harp"
  98. Ivy - "Ivy plant"
  99. Clara - "Bright" or "clear"
  100. Martha - "Lady" or "mistress of the house"

 

Top 100 Baby Boy Names With Meaning:

  1. Oliver - "Olive tree"
  2. George - "Farmer" or "earth worker"
  3. Noah - "Rest" or "comfort"
  4. Jack - "God is gracious"
  5. Arthur - Possibly "bear" or "stone"
  6. Muhammad - "Praiseworthy"
  7. Harry - "Ruler of the home" or "estate ruler"
  8. Leo - "Lion"
  9. Oscar - "God's spear" or "deer-lover"
  10. Charlie - "Free man"
  11. Henry - "Ruler of the household"
  12. Alfie - Diminutive of Alfred, meaning "elf counsel"
  13. Freddie - Diminutive of Frederick, meaning "peaceful ruler"
  14. Theo - Short form of Theodore, meaning "gift of God"
  15. Archie - Diminutive of Archibald, meaning "genuine" or "bold"
  16. Joshua - "God is salvation"
  17. Jacob - "Supplanter"
  18. Ethan - "Strong" or "enduring"
  19. Thomas - "Twin"
  20. James - "Supplanter"
  21. Isaac - "He will laugh"
  22. William - "Resolute protection"
  23. Max - Short form of Maximilian or Maxwell, meaning "greatest" or "great stream"
  24. Alexander - "Defender of the people"
  25. Daniel - "God is my judge"
  26. Edward - "Wealthy guardian"
  27. Alfie - Diminutive of Alfred, meaning "elf counsel"
  28. Logan - "Little hollow"
  29. Lucas - "Bringer of light"
  30. Finn - "Fair" or "white"
  31. Luca - "Bringer of light"
  32. Adam - "Man" or "to be red"
  33. Joseph - "May God add/increase"
  34. Samuel - "Name of God" or "heard by God"
  35. Muhammad - "Praiseworthy"
  36. Benjamin - "Son of the right hand"
  37. Theodore - "Gift of God"
  38. Aiden - "Fiery"
  39. Harrison - "Son of Harry"
  40. Isaac - "He will laugh"
  41. Leo - "Lion"
  42. Daniel - "God is my judge"
  43. Freddie - Diminutive of Frederick, meaning "peaceful ruler"
  44. Logan - "Little hollow"
  45. Alexander - "Defender of the people"
  46. Alfie - Diminutive of Alfred, meaning "elf counsel"
  47. Max - Short form of Maximilian or Maxwell, meaning "greatest" or "great stream"
  48. Oscar - "God's spear" or "deer-lover"
  49. Muhammad - "Praiseworthy"
  50. Archie - Diminutive of Archibald, meaning "genuine" or "bold"
  51. Jack - "God is gracious"
  52. William - "Resolute protection"
  53. Noah - "Rest" or "comfort"
  54. Charlie - "Free man"
  55. Jacob - "Supplanter"
  56. George - "Farmer" or "earthworker"
  57. Arthur - Possibly "bear" or "stone"
  58. Harry - "Ruler of the home" or "estate ruler"
  59. James - "Supplanter"
  60. Joshua - "God is salvation"
  61. Henry - "Ruler of the household"
  62. Thomas - "Twin"
  63. Ethan - "Strong" or "enduring"
  64. Theo - Short form of Theodore, meaning "gift of God"
  65. Samuel - "Name of God" or "heard by God"
  66. Joseph - "May God add/increase"
  67. Freddie - Diminutive of Frederick, meaning "peaceful ruler"
  68. Max - Short form of Maximilian or Maxwell, meaning "greatest" or "great stream"
  69. Finn - "Fair" or "white"
  70. Benjamin - "Son of the right hand"
  71. Harrison - "Son of Harry"
  72. Leo - "Lion"
  73. Isaac - "He will laugh"
  74. Luca - "Bringer of light"
  75. Aiden - "Fiery"
  76. Daniel - "God is my judge"
  77. Oscar - "God's spear" or "deer-lover"
  78. Muhammad - "Praiseworthy"
  79. Alexander - "Defender of the people"
  80. Logan - "Little hollow"
  81. Theodore - "Gift of God"
  82. Alfie - Diminutive of Alfred, meaning "elf counsel"
  83. Max - Short form of Maximilian or Maxwell, meaning "greatest" or "great stream"
  84. Archie - Diminutive of Archibald, meaning "genuine" or "bold"
  85. Jack - "God is gracious"
  86. Noah - "Rest" or "comfort"
  87. Harry - "Ruler of the home" or "estate ruler"
  88. George - "Farmer" or "earthworker"
  89. William - "Resolute protection"
  90. Thomas - "Twin"
  91. James - "Supplanter"
  92. Leo - "Lion"
  93. Ethan - "Strong" or "enduring"
  94. Jacob - "Supplanter"
  95. Charlie - "Free man"
  96. Joshua - "God is salvation"
  97. Henry - "Ruler of the household"
  98. Oscar - "God's spear" or "deer-lover"
  99. Alexander - "Defender of the people"
  100. Daniel - "God is my judge"

Finding Inspiration Beyond the List:

This list offers a springboard for your baby name quest. Remember, the perfect name is personal and reflects your family's unique story. Here are some additional avenues to explore:

  • Family History: Consider using family names or names with special meaning to ancestors.
  • Meaningful Words: Explore names with beautiful meanings in English or languages you admire.
  • Literary Inspiration: Find inspiration from your favorite British characters or authors.
  • Nature's Beauty: Look for names inspired by British landscapes, flowers, or birds.

Make Your Baby Gift Extra Special

Welcome gifts are a lovely way to celebrate a new arrival. Along with your heartfelt card, consider adding a touch of cuddly comfort with a charming stuffed animal! Popular choices include classic teddy bears, playful animal friends, or the incredibly soft and snuggly Giant Elephant Teddy. These adorable companions provide a sense of security and are perfect for playtime and naptime adventures. 

Ultimately, the most important factor is choosing a name you love and that feels perfect for your precious baby.

Other Sources:

Here are a few reputable UK sources where you can find the newest baby names with meanings:

    • The Office for National Statistics (ONS): This is a government agency that provides official statistics on births in the UK, including the most popular baby names each year. While it doesn't offer meanings, it gives you a great sense of current trends.
    • MumsnetThis is a popular UK parenting website with a dedicated baby name section. Mumsnet features up-to-date name lists with origins and meanings, along with discussions and user polls on rising trends.
    • British Baby Names: This website offers a comprehensive database of baby names with origins, meanings, and popularity rankings in the UK. It's a great resource for finding unique or classic names with historical context.
    • Behind the Name: While not exclusive to the UK, this website is a well-respected resource for baby name meanings and origins from all over the world. It allows you to search by name, meaning, or origin, making it helpful for finding names that fit specific criteria.

These sources should give you a good starting point for finding the newest baby names with meanings in the UK. Remember, trends can change quickly, so it's a good idea to check multiple sources for the most up-to-date information.

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