Drum roll please…parenting website www.babycentre.co.uk has revealed the most popular UK baby names of 2016. Interestingly, the masculine and feminine forms of the same name hold the top spots for both boys and girls – Oliver and Olivia – with Oliver climbing one place on the boys’ list and Olivia at number one for girls for the second year running.
The top ten names for 2016 are:
Boys
- Oliver
- Muhammed
- Noah
- Harry
- Jack
- Charlie
- Jacob
- George
- Ethan
- Henry
(Source: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/top-baby-boy-names-2016)
Girls
- Olivia
- Lily
- Sophia
- Emily
- Amelia
- Ava
- Isla
- Isabella
- Isabelle
- Sophie
(Source: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/top-baby-girls-names-2016)
Celebrity, film and popular culture are, as ever, being cited as influences in the choice of names during this past year – with the resurgence of interest in Star Wars following the release of The Force Awakens and Rogue One having an obvious effect. Names of both characters and actors have seen an increase in popularity, with Finn, Ezra and Luna all in the top 100 as well as Daisy (actress Daisy Ridley plays Rey in The Force Awakens) and Harrison (Ford, Hans Solo). Even George Lucas himself has had an influence in 2016, with both George and Lucas becoming more common choices for boys.
Following in the footsteps of influential celebrity couples, some more unusual names have entered or climbed this year’s top 100 – including Harper (David and Victoria Beckham’s daughter), and Kai (Wayne and Colleen Rooney’s son). Ronnie and Reggie are surprise new entries in the boys top 100, perhaps following Tom Hardy’s portrayal of the Kray twins in 2015 film, Legend.
Once again, ‘old fashioned’ names are popular in 2016, with Albert joining the boys’ list at number 100 and Nancy a new addition to the girls’ top 100 at number 83.
So, how do you feel about the top 10 and top 100 lists – would they influence your choice of baby name? Do you look to the most popular names of 2016 for inspiration or would inclusion on the list put you off your chosen moniker? Does your child’s name feature or are you thrilled that it doesn’t? We’d love to hear your thoughts!