The Channel Islands, located in the English Channel, are divided into two territories: Jersey and Guernsey (both of which are British Crown Dependencies).
The territory of Jersey consists of the archipelago’s largest and most populous island, Jersey. The territory of Guernsey consists of the next-largest and next-most-populous island, Guernsey, along with several smaller islands.
Jersey
Last year, Jersey welcomed a total of 795 babies — 370 girls and 425 boys. Here are Jersey’s top 10 girl names and top 10 boy names of 2023:
Girl names
- Olivia
- Isla
- Mia
- Emilia
- Emily
- Isabella
- Luna
- Florence
- Phoebe
- Amelia
Boy names
- Oliver
- Oscar
- Jack
- Leo
- Alfie
- Archie
- George
- Gabriel
- Lucas
- Luca
A year earlier, the top names in Jersey were Willow and Arthur.
Guernsey
Last year, Guernsey welcomed a total of 456 babies — 218 girls and 238 boys. Here are Guernsey’s top girl names and top boy names of 2023:
Girl names
- Mia, 5 baby girls
- Millie, 4
- Ada, 3 (6-way tie)
- Charlotte, 3 (6-way tie)
- Florence, 3 (6-way tie)
- Isla, 3 (6-way tie)
- Sophia, 3 (6-way tie)
- Willow, 3 (6-way tie)
Boy names
- Harry, 7 baby boys
- Oliver, 6
- Finley, 5 (tie)
- Jack, 5 (tie)
- Hugo, 4 (5-way tie)
- Lando, 4 (5-way tie)
- Leo, 4 (5-way tie)
- Luca, 4 (5-way tie)
- Rupert, 4 (5-way tie)
Given the number of articles I see about British race-car driver Lando Norris on the Guernsey Press website, I have to assume that the usage of Lando was influenced by Norris. (Interestingly, Norris’ first name wasn’t inspired by the Star Wars character — it was simply a name that his mother, who comes from Belgium, happened to like.)
My source also noted that traditional names like James, George, Thomas, and David are commonly used as middle names (but rarely as first names) in Guernsey these days.
A year earlier, the top names in Guernsey were Ava and Freddie/Jack.
Finally, here’s a link to the Channel Islands’ 2022 rankings, if you’d like to compare.
Sources:
- “Jersey’s most popular baby names revealed.” Jersey Evening Post 3 May 2024.
- Porter, Tom. “Mia and Harry most popular baby names in island in 2023.” Guernsey Press 26 Feb. 2024.
- Carvalho, Ronan. “Why Is Lando Norris Called Lando?” Essentially Sports 20 Feb. 2021.
- Channel Islands – Wikipedia
Image: Adapted from Flag of Jersey (public domain)
