Popular Baby Names UK 2026: My Shortlist & Naming Tips
The latest published baby-name rankings, my own girls’ and boys’ name ideas, and the practical checks I’d make before deciding on a name.
In this guide
Because I make personalised gifts for babies and children, I sometimes get asked for help choosing a baby name. It happened again today, so I thought I’d put my ideas in one place.
It makes sense that names come up in my work. I make the little plaques that introduce a newborn to the family, and the wooden names that later go on a nursery wall or bedroom door. But choosing the name itself is a much bigger decision than choosing a colour or a font.
You might have a favourite already and just need a second opinion. Or you might have a phone full of screenshots, a partner with a completely different list, and no idea how to get from thirty names to one. I wanted this guide to help with both.
Below, I’ve brought together the latest published popularity lists, names I’d group by style, middle-name ideas, and the checks I’d make before settling on a spelling. I’ll also share my perspective as someone who works with names in wood: what to look for when you want a name to read beautifully on a keepsake.
Which baby names are popular in the UK right now?
When I look up popular baby names in the UK, the first thing I check is which part of the country a list covers. An England and Wales chart is useful, but it doesn’t describe every family across the UK.
| Area | Girls’ number one | Boys’ number one |
|---|---|---|
| England & Wales | Olivia | Muhammad |
| Scotland | Freya | Noah |
| Northern Ireland | Grace | Noah |
Sources: ONS 2025 release; National Records of Scotland; NISRA. England and Wales names are cross-checked against the published top-ten lists.
The top ten girls’ and boys’ names in England and Wales
If I wanted a quick picture of current naming choices, I’d start here. These are the 2025 England and Wales rankings, rather than a combined UK top ten.
| Rank | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Olivia | Muhammad |
| 2 | Lily | Noah |
| 3 | Amelia | Leo |
| 4 | Isla | Luca |
| 5 | Florence | Arthur |
| 6 | Freya | Oliver |
| 7 | Poppy | George |
| 8 | Elsie | Oscar |
| 9 | Ivy | Theodore |
| 10 | Isabella | Freddie |
The top-ten tables published on 9 July 2026 report the ONS results. The original girls’ dataset and boys’ dataset are available from ONS.
I like the variety in these lists. There are compact names such as Ivy and Leo, longer names such as Isabella and Theodore, and familiar choices such as George. There isn’t one single shape or sound that a baby’s name needs to have.
A few changes that caught my eye
In England and Wales, Lily moved into second place for girls, while Freddie entered the boys’ top ten. In Scotland, Freya reached number one for the first time, and names ending in -ie reached their highest recorded share for both boys and girls. These are changes in the published data, rather than predictions about what everyone will choose next.
My own takeaway is that you can enjoy a name that feels current without trying to guess the next trend. If you love Olivia, its popularity doesn’t make it less yours. If none of the top ten feels right, that is a useful discovery too.
Baby girl names I’d put on a shortlist
I find it easier to start with a feeling than an enormous alphabetical list. These are my own groupings, with no ranking implied. A name can belong in more than one group, and your family associations might make it feel completely different to you.
Soft and simple
Isla · Ella · Mia · Eva · Lily · Thea
I’d start here if you like a shorter name with a gentle sound. I’d say each one with the surname, because a name that feels complete on its own can sound very different as part of the full name.
Longer and flowing
Amelia · Isabella · Florence · Elodie · Arabella · Emilia
These would be on my list if you enjoy a longer written name. I’d also think about the shorter forms you like: would you be happy with Flo, Bella or Millie if other people naturally used them?
Flowers and the outdoors
Daisy · Poppy · Ivy · Willow · Rose · Hazel
I like this group for the pictures the names bring to mind. You don’t need a floral nursery to choose a flower name, of course; I’d choose it because I liked saying it, rather than because it matched a room.
Warm and familiar
Bonnie · Elsie · Mabel · Annie · Clara · Alice
I’d explore these if you like names that feel at home in a family conversation. Try imagining the name on a nursery peg, a birthday card and an adult’s introduction, and see whether you still enjoy it.
If I were comparing Lily, Lilly and Lillie, I’d write all three down before deciding. They may sound similar in your family, but they look different, and the chosen spelling becomes part of your child’s name. I wouldn’t change a spelling just to make a sign look more balanced.
Baby boy names I’d put on a shortlist
For boys, I’d use the same approach: choose a few styles you enjoy, then listen to how the names work in everyday sentences. These are inspiration lists, rather than claims about which names are rising fastest.
Short and easy to say aloud
Noah · Leo · Luca · Jude · Finn · Max
I’d try these alongside a longer surname. A short first name can give the full name a pleasing rhythm, though I’d judge the actual combination rather than rely on a rule.
Traditional choices
Arthur · George · Henry · James · Thomas · William
I’d look here if you want something familiar across generations. A family connection can make one of these feel particularly personal, even when the name itself is widely known.
Relaxed and friendly
Freddie · Teddy · Alfie · Archie · Rory · Reuben
I’d consider whether you love the everyday version enough to use it as the full first name. If you prefer Frederick or Theodore formally, I’d make sure you like those versions too.
A more contemporary feel
Oakley · Arlo · Ezra · Roman · Rowan · Milo
These would be starting points if the traditional list didn’t feel like you. I’d still do the ordinary checks: surname, initials, spelling and how the name sounds when called across a room.
For any name with several spellings used by different families, I’d follow the spelling that matters to you. I’d check carefully before ordering anything personalised, whether that is Muhammad, Mohammed, Reuben, Ruben, Finlay or Finley. Similar-looking names are not interchangeable.
What if I want a name that feels a little less expected?
I’d first decide what “unusual” means to me. Do I want a name that isn’t in the top ten, one I haven’t heard among friends, or one with a particular family or cultural connection? Those are different starting points.
For girls, I’d explore Elodie, Iris, Ottilie, Orla, Lyra and Clara. For boys, I’d explore Otis, Jasper, Felix, Ellis, Hugo and Rowan. I’m suggesting these for their different sounds and styles; I’m not describing them as rare.
If rarity really matters to you, I’d check the exact spelling in the official data for your part of the UK. A name can be familiar in one area and much less used in another. A national rank also won’t tell you how many children with that name will happen to join your local nursery.
For a list that doesn’t start with a girls’ or boys’ category, I’d try Robin, Rowan, Alex, Charlie, Frankie and Ellis. These are names I’d consider for any child; how a name is used and perceived can vary between families and places.
Which baby names look beautiful written down?
This is the part I naturally think about when I’m designing a name plaque. My honest answer is that I’d change the layout to suit the name you love. I wouldn’t choose a child’s name around a particular product.
Still, looking at a written version can help when two names are close. I’d compare the same spelling in a plain font and a flowing script, then step back and read it quickly. Can I recognise the first letter? Are the spaces clear? Does it still look like the name I had in mind?
A shorter name
Isla
A compact name can leave more breathing room around the lettering. I’d keep the layout simple and let the name be the focus.
A longer name
Amelia
A longer name gives a flowing font more letters to work with. I’d check that the joins are clear, especially at a smaller size.
The written examples above illustrate name length only. They are not previews of a specific product font.
The first capital matters
I’d pay particular attention to the first letter. A decorative capital I, J or N can look very different between fonts. If I couldn’t read it comfortably, I’d try another style or ask for a preview of the actual name.
Long names need a little more planning
With our personalised wooden name letters, the chosen width is for the whole name. At the same total width, a longer name generally needs smaller lettering than a short one. I’d compare the full name in the chosen font before deciding how much space to leave on a wall.
If you’re thinking about the room as well as the name, I’ve shared more examples in my nursery wall decor guide. It can help to see a name in a real room rather than only on a blank screen.
Middle-name ideas and double-barrelled names
When a first name feels nearly right, I’d try it with the surname before searching for a middle name. The name you’ll say most often may simply be the first name, while the full combination needs to feel comfortable too.
Here are some combinations I’d use as starting points. They’re examples I’ve put together for this guide, rather than a list of customer orders or popularity rankings.
Girls’ middle-name ideas
- Isla Rose
- Amelia Grace
- Lily Florence
- Freya Elizabeth
- Bonnie Mae
- Clara Josephine
Boys’ middle-name ideas
- Noah James
- Leo Alexander
- Luca Thomas
- Arthur Jude
- Freddie George
- Rowan Henry
A short middle name isn’t automatically better with a long first name. I’d listen for the rhythm of the whole combination, including the surname. Sometimes a family name that you would never choose as a first name fits beautifully in the middle.
Lily Mae or Lily-Mae?
I’d decide whether I intend both words to be used together as the first name, or whether Mae is a middle name that usually stays in the background. A hyphen is a visible part of the spelling, so I’d keep it consistent on forms and keepsakes.
For our personalised designs, I’d also separate the name itself from the layout instructions. If I wanted Lily-Mae together in large lettering, I’d enter the complete double first name in the main-name field where the listing allows it. If I wanted Lily large and Mae on a smaller engraved line, I’d follow that product’s separate fields.
A little introduction to the family
Our wooden balloon baby announcement plaque is one way to share the name you’ve chosen. I like the contrast between the raised first name and the smaller engraved details underneath.
I’d wait until the spelling and layout feel settled before ordering. If you’re unsure how a longer name will fit, you can ask us about a preview first.
How I’d narrow down a baby-name shortlist
If I had too many names in front of me, I’d stop collecting more for a little while. I’d choose three to five favourites and give each one the same small set of checks.
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Say it with the surname
I’d try the first name and surname together, then add any middle names. I’d listen for awkward repeated sounds or a combination that feels difficult to say naturally.
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Use it in ordinary sentences
“This is our little…” and “Have you got your coat, …?” can tell me more than staring at a list. I’d try the full name and any likely nickname.
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Write the initials
I’d check the first and last initials, then include the middle initials. It takes a moment and can reveal a combination I hadn’t noticed.
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Think about the languages used at home
For a family using more than one language, I’d ask the people who will say the name most often to try it aloud. I’d decide which pronunciations and spellings matter to us, rather than assume everyone will use the same one.
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Compare the exact written forms
I’d put spellings, hyphens and capitals next to each other, using the same font. Then I’d leave the list alone and look again later, instead of switching between completely different designs.
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Keep a little space for your own decision
I’d listen to people whose opinion I value, but I wouldn’t turn the choice into a family vote. It’s possible to appreciate someone’s suggestion and still choose a different name.
The note I’d keep on my phone
My three favourites: ______ / ______ / ______
Full name: ______ Initials: ______
Everyday nickname: ______
Exact spelling, spaces and hyphens: ______
What I like about it, without anyone else’s opinion: ______
What if we’re still choosing when the baby arrives?
I wouldn’t order a finished name plaque while I was genuinely undecided. A name-free photograph is still a lovely first photograph, and a personalised keepsake can come later.
For an earlier pregnancy announcement, our personalised wooden baby name disc can use Baby with your family name instead of a chosen first name. That gives you a way to share the news without treating the name decision as a deadline for a photograph.
When you are ready to introduce them, my baby announcement wording and photo guide has ideas for the message. If you’re preparing for the birth too, you might find my hospital bag checklist useful.
Baby-name questions
What are the most popular baby names in the UK in 2026?
I’d use the latest complete figures as a starting point: they cover 2025 and were published in 2026. Olivia and Muhammad lead England and Wales, Freya and Noah lead Scotland, and Grace and Noah lead Northern Ireland. These are separate official lists, not a final ranking for babies born in 2026.
Should I avoid a name in the top ten?
I wouldn’t cross it off for that reason alone. I’d think about whether popularity bothers me in everyday life, then weigh that against how much I like the name. A ranking cannot predict your child’s exact class or friendship group.
How do I find a genuinely less common name?
I’d check the exact spelling in the official data for my part of the UK, looking at the number of babies as well as the rank. I’d also compare more than one year. A list labelled “unique names” doesn’t necessarily show that the names are rarely used.
Which names look best in a script font?
I’d compare previews of the actual name, especially its capital letter and joins. Short names and long names can both work beautifully. The suitable font, size and spacing depend on the design, so I’d avoid judging from a sample showing a completely different name.
Does my baby need a middle name?
I wouldn’t add one simply to fill a space on a plaque. For the personalised products discussed here, an optional extra-name field can be left blank. If you choose a middle name, I’d pick one you want as part of the full name.
Can I use a double-barrelled first name on a plaque?
I’d check the product instructions and include the full spelling and hyphen. A double first name intended to appear together belongs in the main-name field where that design supports it. For a long name or a particular arrangement, I’d ask before ordering.
How do I choose names for siblings?
I’d say the names together, then separately. I’d look for a combination I enjoy without requiring the names to rhyme, share an initial or have exactly the same length. Each child will use their own name independently too.
Should I order a personalised baby gift before the name is confirmed?
I’d wait for the parents to confirm the spelling, including any spaces or hyphens. If it’s a surprise and I can’t check, I’d choose something without the baby’s name or give the personalised gift after the birth.
Can I ask to see the name before ordering?
Yes. If you’re considering one of our name signs, contact us with the name and the design, font and size you’re looking at. We can help check the layout and provide a design preview on request.
The name I’d keep coming back to
After all the lists, I’d come back to the name I enjoy saying. The one that feels comfortable with the surname, has a spelling I’m happy to use, and still makes me smile once I’ve stopped looking at everyone else’s favourites.
That might be the number-one name. It might be a family name, a double name, or something no one suggested. There’s room for all of those choices.
And when you’ve chosen, I’d love to help you turn it into a little keepsake — whether that’s their first introduction or the name on the door of a room that will become theirs.
Monika
Maker at Creative Mama Gift Shop, Hull
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