According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the most popular baby names in England and Wales last year were Olivia and Oliver.
Here are the top 10 girl names and top 10 boy names of 2016:
Girl Names
1. Olivia, 5,017 baby girls
2. Amelia, 4,777
3. Emily, 3,551
4. Isla, 3,476
5. Ava, 3,285
6. Isabella, 2,729
7. Lily, 2,722
8. Jessica, 2,703
9. Ella, 2,702
10. Mia, 2,662
Boy Names
1. Oliver, 6,623 baby boys
2. Harry, 5,284
3. George, 5,263
4. Jack, 4,751
5. Jacob, 4,485
6. Noah, 4,305
7. Charlie, 4,190
8. Muhammad, 3,908
9. Thomas, 3,898
10. Oscar, 3,894
In 2015, the #1 names were Amelia and Oliver.
In the girls’ top 10, Lily replaced Poppy. In the boys’ top 10, Muhammad replaced William.
Finally, here are some of the rare baby names from the other end of the rankings. Each was given to exactly 3 babies in England and Wales last year.
| Rare Girl Names | Rare Boy Names |
|---|---|
| Adrijana, Barira, Clove, Damla, Eloghosa, Flossy, Ginika, Hivda, Irtiqa, Jadesola, Kisa, Lwsi, Merina, Niniola, Oracle, Petruta, Ronny, Sirin, Teuta, Umm, Verona, Winta, Xanthia, Yvette, Zeliha | Athavan, Believe, Cuban, Danujan, Endeavour, Finton, Gilby, Hale, Inder, Jeston, Kleart, Lando, Mordche, Nosson, Otli, Pavith, Rune, Smit, Tishan, Ugnius, Vencel, Wilfie, Yanky, Zenith |
Sources: Baby names in England and Wales: 2016, Girl name statistics, Boy name statistics
Image: Adapted from Flag of the United Kingdom (public domain)
