According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the most popular baby names in England and Wales last year were Amelia and Oliver.
Here are the top 10 girl names and top 10 boy names of 2014:
Girl Names | Boy Names |
---|---|
1. Amelia, 5,327 baby girls 2. Olivia, 4,724 3. Isla, 4,012 4. Emily, 3,991 5. Poppy, 3,273 6. Ava, 3,171 7. Isabella, 3,022 8. Jessica, 2,995 9. Lily, 2,965 10. Sophie, 2,905 | 1. Oliver, 6,649 baby boys 2. Jack, 5,804 3. Harry, 5,379 4. Jacob, 5,050 5. Charlie, 4,642 6. Thomas, 4,405 7. George, 4,320 8. Oscar, 4,269 9. James, 4,167 10. William, 4,134 |
In the girls’ top 10, Lily replaced Mia (now 13th).
The boys’ top 10 includes the same names in a different order.
The ONS report also highlighted a few seasonal favorites, such as…
- Holly, which ranked 5th in December but 70th in June. Overall, it was 39th.
- Summer, which ranked 25th in June but 105th in December. Overall, it was 58th.
Here are some of last year’s rare baby names, each given to either 3, 4 or 5 babies:
Rare Girl Names | Rare Boy Names |
---|---|
Ambreen, Angharad, Arinola, Arzoo, Astala, Boux, Cagla, Cliodhna, Darasimi, Delyth, Dolsie, Elliw, Eslem, Flourish, Harper-Lee, Heulwen, Heyabel, Honeysuckle, Ilinca, Io, Iris-Rose, Jedidiah, Kitty-Rose, Lili-Haf, Loveday, Luul, L’Wren, Makatendeka, Maxima, Moksha, Morsal, Nainsi, Peach, Poppy-Willow, Ritaj, Sailor, Shailene, Tavleen, Topsy, Tuppence, Uxia, Vaneeza, Venba, Zennor, Ziggy | Aldion, Alias, Archimedes, Bevon, Boycie, Bright, Buzz, Caelum, Calix, Cloud, Coast, Cove, Crispin, Denley, Diesel, Dipson, Grantas, Gwern, Hanzala, Harrington, Jensen-James, Jolyon, Jonjoe, Jorel, Kebba, Keita, Khattab, Klaidas, Marceau, Metodi, Oaklen, Osazee, Peregrine, Refoel, Re’Kai, Romarni, Sanchez, Seweryn, Sheriff, Stanleigh, Swayley, Timurs, Ugnius, Vasco, Velizar, Ynyr |
Finally, here are all of my previous posts on baby names in England and Wales: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008.
Source: Baby Names, England and Wales, 2014 – ONS
Image: Adapted from Flag of the United Kingdom (public domain)
“Poppy”? Such an unusual name but chosen by the Bush family for the newest grand-daughter. I heard it was great-grandfather’s nickname. Poppy Harlow, although you might expect her to be cabaret star, is a CNN reporter. Interesting name choice for all!
I love seeing medieval names like Loveday and Peregrine revived. Not sure how I feel about Jolyon, though – my first association is with the Tintin character.