Top 100 girls and boys names in the UK for 2024

Flares, scrunchies, devilled eggs and cut glassware; old trends always come back around. So it’s no surprise that vintage baby names are fashionable again, with the likes of Florence, Theodore and Arthur back in vogue. These now retro names were all frontrunners when the National Office for Statistics (ONS) released its first baby names report in 1904 — and you can see plenty of repetition with its latest report, despite the two lists being 120 years apart.

At the end of every year, the ONS reveals the top 100 girls and boys' names in the UK. In December 2024, the latest data was published showing the most popular names in 2023. While we don’t have the report for 2024 names yet (it's expected to be released late 2025), the new figures indicate which names will likely come out on top. It makes for fascinating reading, whether you want to be inspired by the list, or swerve the most popular entries in favour of something more unusual (in which case, also read our guides to the least popular baby names and unique baby names).

The most notable change regarding boys' baby names was Noah being knocked off the number one spot in the UK by Muhammed. Muhammad was the top choice for parents naming baby boys in England and Wales, with more than 4,600 children registered with the name. There are also some variations on the spelling of Muhammad, with Mohammed coming in the 28th spot with 1,601 instances, and Mohammad coming in 68th with 835. According to the data, Noah, the most popular boys' name the previous year (and now the second most popular name), was used 4,382 times, which is 4.7% less than Muhammad.

The top 10 boys' names for 2024 saw more movement, with Theo and Freddie dropping out of the top 10, while the Italian name Luca and the classic English name Henry are new additions to the top 10 list. George and Arthur are also traditional names that have stood the test of time, appearing in the 1904 list alongside now less-popular names like Ernest and Frederick (though the more trendy abbreviation Freddie is number 12 this year).

Meanwhile, popular girls' names have remained surprisingly consistent, with Olivia, Amelia and Isla claiming the top three spots for the second year running, with no variation in the order. Olivia is clearly the frontrunner in baby girl names for the ‘10s and ‘20s decades so far, having remained the most popular since 2016 — and in the top three since 2006. Freya, Ava, Lily and Florence were all on last year’s top 10 list, while Willow is a new addition. Mia — last year’s 10th most popular name — has dropped to number 15. Florence is the only name in the top 10 that appeared in the first ONS report in 1904 and again in 2023. 

Pop culture sparked some new naming trends and additions too, and the interest in celebrity baby names shows no sign of slowing. The ONS report explains how it ‘continues to influence’ choices for parents. It references singers Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, Miley, Rihanna, Kendrick and Elton as popular choices, and the Kardashian-Jenner family's children, Reign and Saint, are also considered influential public figures.

Top 10 girls names in order of popularity

Top 10 baby boys names in order of popularity

Baby names trends on the rise

The list of the most popular baby names can tell us what’s happening in society and highlight broader trends around naming. They hint at pop culture moments, can become an archive of social media trends, and capture a snapshot of general attitudes towards monikers. Here are the biggest baby name trends of 2024 that we expect to stick around.

Floral and nature-inspired baby names

Floral and botanical names dominated the baby names for girls chart for 2023 (15 names appear in the top 100 and 3 in the top ten - Lily, Ivy, Willow, Poppy, Daisy, Delilah, Luna, Violet, Aurora, Rose, Olive, Iris, Aurora, Lilah and Jasmine). And according to Google Trends, interest in floral baby names was up 400% in the final quarter of 2024. Research carried out by flower delivery company Eflorist revealed that floral names for girls — and boys — are set to skyrocket in 2025. The research predicts that Heather will become the most popular girl's floral inspired name for 2025, with new additions such as Rosemary, Saffron and Sorrel expected to gain traction. 

Seasonal baby names

While floral names dominate right now, the rise in seasonal names is expected to continue. The ONS report spotlights the increasing popularity of names such as Autumn and Summer in the corresponding seasons. In December festive names such as Joseph, Robyn and Holly all see a surge. It also noted for baby girls that weekday names, such as Sunday and Wednesday, have increased in popularity (though the latter can also be attributed to the popular Netflix series). Historically, names inspired by months like April and June have been popular, but they didn’t make it into the top 100 this year. 

Neutral baby names

Gender-neutral names have been steadily on the rise for quite some time. Nameberry and The New York Times carried out research in 2020 that looked back at 100 years of baby names, finding an 88% increase in the use of unisex names. Baby consultant Helen Cummings, who works with parents during the naming process, predicts that gender neutral baby names will continue to grow in popularity this decade. ‘Unisex names like Morgan, Casey and Taylor are rising,’ she told us. Celebrity couples such as Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, as well as Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, have opted for gender-neutral baby names for their little ones. And, who could deny the impact of the globally adored and gender-neutrally named Taylor Swift? ​​

Hyphenated baby names

The ONS trend report also noted that names with a hyphen were becoming more popular again for girls (though not popular enough to make the top 100), and less popular for boys. This is a resurgance of a trend from the '00s, when according to data published by the ONS, the number of babies given hyphenated names increased by a huge 334%. This time around, Rose is the most popular hyphenated name for girls, used in 38% of double-barrelled first names given to girls.

Gothic baby names

At the end of 2024, searches on Google for gothic baby names were up 140%. This may be attributed to the success of the gothic and fantasy genres within fiction, and coincides with the buzz around the bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses book series, which has sold over 13 million copies worldwide. Already fairytale-esque names are featuring in the stats, with ‘Aurora’ number 49 for girls' names. Baby name consultant Teri of Baby Names and Co, told us that ‘virtue names are similar to gothic names, with names like Grace, Faith and Hope remaining popular. And names like Justice and Amity are growing in popularity too.'

Celebrity and film baby names

Celebrity culture undeniably influences all aspects of society, and baby names are no exception. ‘Barbenhemier’ in the summer of 2023, where both Barbie and Oppenheimer were box office hits on an astronomical scale, had a knock-on effect on names that year, and Margot is now ranked 43 (with an additional 215 names in 2023 compared to 2022). Cillian didn't crack the top 100, but was also referenced as one of 2023 trending names by the ONS (and it got an additional 14 names in 2023 compared to 2022), so there's a good chance we'll see this name on next year’s list. 

A big pop culture moment in 2024 that will likely affect next year's list is the release of Moana 2, which puts Polynesian and nature-inspired names in the spotlight. And, considering the global phenomenon of Brat Summer in 2024, at LittleList we’re also predicting Charlie, will rise through the ranks too.

Family baby names

Of course, it’s not all about what’s trending — there are personal circumstances and heritage to take into consideration too. There are always people who want to name their babies with these things in mind, Helen explains. ‘Factors parents may consider [when naming their baby] are cultural and religious background, family traditions such as passing down names from previous generations, and aiming to avoid overly common names. A big factor to also consider is if the name can be changed to a nickname.’

Other baby name trends 

Being able to shorten a name is a trend in and of itself, according to Teri. ‘Some main trends I’m seeing as well as vintage and floral baby names are nickname-style names, virtue names and ultra-feminine and masculine choices,’ She also told us. ‘Names have become so intriguing, and there’s tons of variety now, so while these are some predictions, there’s likely to be trends emerging we’ve not even thought of yet. I hear and see so many styles daily — it’s hard to predict what will be next.’

TikTok baby name trends

One place where trends emerge quickly is TikTok. There’s no denying the rise of its influence, particularly among Gen Z people and parents. Here are some of the most talked about baby name trends on the platform.

Aesthetic baby names

2024 saw the viral Normalise Naming Your Kids After Something You Love meme take hold, with over 88 million TikTok posts based around this concept. While much of the response was playful, with social media joking about calling their children ‘garlic bread’ or ‘Waterstones’, more abstract names are getting traction too. ‘Aesthetic baby names’ is a trend on social media platforms that leans toward this thinking, with examples of ‘Atlas’ and ‘Alaska’ cited.

Old money baby names

Another social media trend over the past few years potentially influencing baby names is ‘Old Money’. There are over 919k posts about Old Money, and a TikTok post on ‘Old Money baby girl names’ has been saved by nearly 15 thousand users and contains traditional and sometimes vintage baby names like Charlotte (ranked 22), Caroline, Blair (Gossip Girl-approved) and Nora. This trend has also spilled over into Google, with a 90% increase in searches for old money baby names in 2024.

Millenial baby names

Meanwhile, TikTok creator @mamadottiemarie's commentary on millenial names in this TikTok post went viral. She compared millennial names to those from the ‘90s, noting they’re just updated versions of old favourites. She claims ‘Amy’ has become ‘Mia’, ‘Lauren’ has become ‘Harper’ and ‘Jessica’ is now ‘Scarlett’. 

How to choose a baby name 

Naming a baby is a unique experience for each parent. Some will have a definite idea of names (even before conception); for others, it will be a practical task on their new baby checklist, and a few will wait to meet their newborn before deciding.

‘Choosing a baby name is a milestone filled with joy, anticipation, and sometimes a little stress,’ parenting coach and founder of Bloom Baby Classes, Victoria Jennings, told us. ‘I’ve witnessed countless unique baby names, each reflecting the individuality of the families I meet. In 2011, I chose the name Honey for one of my children because it felt special, warm, and distinctive — a rarity at the time. The name has always suited her, and we get so many compliments for the choice. That experience taught me the value of finding a name that resonates deeply with you and stands out without feeling out of place.’

With so many options, picking a name can we overwhelming, so we asked a range of baby experts for their advice on how to go about it.

Consider the story behind the name

A meaningful story makes a name extra special. Whether it’s a connection to nature, a cultural tradition, or a unique name like Honey that simply feels right, a personal touch adds emotional depth to your choice. — Victoria Jennings, parenting coach

Say it out loud

Say the names out loud to gauge how they feel and sound, and then write down the full name on paper. — Helen Cummings, baby name consultant

Honour family or cultural roots

Incorporating names with family ties or cultural significance can create a strong connection to your heritage. Opting for middle names to honour a family member is a popular approach — we named my youngest daughter Isla Grace in memory of my late aunt Grace. — Victoria Jennings, parenting coach

Balance uniqueness and practicality

Unique names can set your child apart beautifully. However, it’s worth thinking about how easy the name is to pronounce and spell. Names like Willow or Finley, which I frequently hear in classes, strike this balance well. — Victoria Jennings, parenting coach

Make a shortlist to cross-reference with your partner 

Mum-to-be Claire found listing her chosen names was the best way to see which she and her partner both favoured. ‘I've had a list of baby names going for about 10 years, which I just add to when I hear something I like. Mark made his own list,’ Claire explains. ‘We then went through each other's lists and did a yes, no, potentially, to get a shortlist. And then kind of miraculously, from that, we managed to agree on two girls' and two boys' names that we both liked. We think we know which one is our favourite for both, but we have a backup just in case.’ — Claire, mum-to-be

Wait to announce the name

Many parents decide to keep their name a secret until the baby is born to avoid reactions that could change their minds about their chosen name. 'Unless you're confident you won't be swayed, think about keeping the name private until your baby's arrived. People tend to have a much more positive reaction to a name when it's introduced with the beautiful baby itself!' — Emily Bray, LittleList Chief Baby Brain

Take your time 

Don’t rush the decision. The best name is the one that feels right for you and your family. If in doubt, wait until your baby is born and you have them in your arms. — Helen Cummings, baby name consultant

Of course, there are no set rules for naming your child — it’s a uniquely personal choice. If you’re feeling anxious about choosing a name or don’t know where to start, baby naming consultants, already popular in the US, are catching on in the UK. This coincides with the growing popularity of baby registry services, gender reveal parties, and increasingly elaborate baby showers.

‘There’s been a big rise in demand for baby name consultants,’ Teri tells us. ‘This is due to people using social media not just to socialise but to research different aspects of their lives. A baby naming consultant can help parents work out what types of names they like and then find new names they might not have considered before.'

Whatever your method for naming your baby, the most important thing to remember is to have fun with it. And know that once your little one grows into their name, you won’t be able to imagine them being called anything else. 

While we can’t advise you what to name your baby, LittleList baby registry service can advise about almost everything else — especially when it comes to all the endless products that your little one needs once they've arrived! We are the UK's first dedicated shopping service and newborn baby registry for expectant parents. We help growing families prepare for their baby, with tailored advice, and the option to shop or share their wish list with loved ones. Browse through our hundreds of baby brands or get started with your baby registry!