The top 100 baby names show us that parents are increasingly looking for a lesser-used name, but with a familiar feel.
This includes alternative spellings or shortened versions of popular names, such as Lili and Esmae and Frankie.
We can also see some old fashioned names making a comeback, like Arabella.
There has been little change at the top of the baby name charts, which has been released by the ONS for England and Wales, with familiar favourites holding the top 10 spots.
For girls, Olivia, Amelia and Lily are in the top three spots, while for boys Muhammad, Noah and Oliver were the most popular names.
Checking out the top 100 baby names is a great place to start when you’re trying to choose a baby name. You may be set against choosing a popular name, however it can give you some wonderful ideas to get started.
You can check out the full top 100 baby names for boys and girls in England and Wales for 2024 (the data has been published in 2025), plus I’ve highlighted some rising names.
Biggest risers in the top 100 baby names
Here are the biggest climbers in the top 100 – including names that saw a sharp spike in popularity in the last year and also names that climbed thousands of spots in the last decade.
I think there are some gorgeous names to be found on the list of rising names, including vintage and modern inventions.
Rising girl names
Mali – Bitter, beloved (Welsh diminutive of Mary)
Cadi – Pure (Welsh form of Katie/Catherine)
Lili – Lily flower, purity (variant of Lily)
Arabella – Yielding to prayer (Latin)
Elodie – Foreign riches, wealth (French)
Elsi – God is my oath (Welsh variant of Elsie/Elizabeth)
Harriet – Home ruler (Germanic)
Rose – Rose flower (Latin)
Lola – Sorrows (Spanish, from Dolores)
Eden – Delight, paradise (Hebrew)
Esmae – Beloved, esteemed (variant of Esme; French)
Lyla – Night (Arabic)
Frankie – Free one (diminutive of Frances or Franklin)
Lowri – Laurel (Welsh form of Laura)
Pippa – Lover of horses (short for Philippa; Greek)
Anwen – Very beautiful (Welsh)
Lilly – Lily flower, purity (variant spelling of Lily)
Marnie – Rejoice, from the sea (Hebrew/Scottish origins)
Eleri – River name; also a Welsh saint (Welsh)
Rising boy names
Austin – Majestic, great (Latin origin from Augustus)
Nathan – He gave (Hebrew)
Yahya – God is gracious (Arabic form of John)
Arlo – Fortified hill or barberry tree (Old English/Spanish)
Albie – Noble, bright (short form of Albert; English)
Oakley – Oak clearing (English)
Rowan – Little redhead (Irish); also a tree (Gaelic)
Hudson – Son of Hugh (English)
Reggie – Ruler’s advisor (short for Reginald; Germanic)
Otis – Wealth, prosperity (Germanic)
Hunter – One who hunts (English)
Elias – The Lord is my God (Greek form of Elijah)
Finn – Fair, white (Irish)
Rupert – Bright fame (Germanic)
Myles – Soldier, merciful (Germanic/Latin)
Musa – Drawn out of the water (Arabic form of Moses)
Enzo – Ruler of the household (Italian, from Heinz/Lorenzo)
Grayson – Son of the steward (English)
Vinnie – Conquering (short for Vincent; Latin)
Bodhi – Awakening, enlightenment (Sanskrit)
Brody – Ditch, muddy place (Scottish)
Girls top 100 baby names
Expecting a baby girl? Check out these top 100 most popular baby names!
Olivia – Olive tree (Latin)
Amelia – Work, industrious (Germanic/Latin)
Lily – Lily flower, purity (English)
Isla – Island (Scottish/Spanish)
Ivy – Ivy plant, fidelity (English)
Florence – Flourishing, prosperous (Latin)
Freya – Norse goddess of love (Norse)
Poppy – Poppy flower (English)
Ava – Life, birdlike (Hebrew/Latin)
Elsie – God is my oath (Scottish diminutive of Elizabeth)
Isabella – God is my oath (Hebrew/Spanish/Italian)
Sofia – Wisdom (Greek)
Sophia – Wisdom (Greek)
Mia – Mine, beloved (Italian/Scandinavian)
Maya – Illusion, mother (Sanskrit/Hebrew)
Bonnie – Pretty, cheerful (Scottish)
Phoebe – Bright, shining (Greek)
Daisy – Day’s eye (English flower name)
Sienna – Reddish-brown color; from Siena, Italy
Evelyn – Wished for child (English/German)
Willow – Graceful, from the willow tree (English)
Harper – Harp player (English)
Charlotte – Free person (French)
Rosie – Rose flower (English)
Grace – Grace, elegance (Latin)
Maeve – She who intoxicates (Irish)
Millie – Gentle strength (short form of Millicent)
Margot – Pearl (French)
Evie – Life, living one (short for Eve/Evelyn)
Arabella – Yielding to prayer (Latin)
Matilda – Battle-mighty (Germanic)
Hallie – Dweller at the meadow by the manor (English)
Delilah – Delicate, amorous (Hebrew)
Emily – Industrious, striving (Latin)
Aria – Song, melody (Hebrew/Italian)
Penelope – Weaver (Greek)
Mabel – Lovable (Latin)
Lottie – Little, womanly (short for Charlotte)
Ella – Light, fairy maiden (Germanic/English)
Ada – Noble, adorned (Germanic/Hebrew)
Ruby – Red gemstone (Latin)
Violet – Purple flower (Latin)
Aurora – Dawn (Latin; Roman goddess)
Maisie – Pearl (Scottish diminutive of Margaret)
Emilia – Rival, eager (Latin)
Mila – Gracious, dear (Slavic)
Ayla – Moonlight, oak tree, halo (Turkish/Hebrew)
Luna – Moon (Latin; Roman goddess)
Alice – Noble (Germanic)
Sophie – Wisdom (French/Greek)
Esme – Beloved, esteemed (French)
Isabelle – God is my oath (French variant of Isabel)
Olive – Olive tree (Latin)
Eva – Life (Hebrew)
Elodie – Foreign riches (French)
Layla – Night (Arabic)
Maryam – Beloved, rebellious (Arabic/Hebrew)
Orla – Golden princess (Irish)
Rose – Rose flower (Latin)
Eden – Delight, paradise (Hebrew)
Iris – Rainbow, flower (Greek)
Elizabeth – God is my oath (Hebrew)
Eliza – God is my oath (short form of Elizabeth)
Imogen – Maiden, innocent (Celtic)
Erin – Ireland (Irish)
Thea – Goddess, divine (Greek)
Eleanor – Shining light (Greek/Old French)
Harriet – Home ruler (Germanic)
Emma – Whole, universal (Germanic)
Zara – Princess, blooming flower (Arabic/Hebrew)
Ottilie – Prosperous in battle (Germanic)
Chloe – Blooming, fertility (Greek)
Ophelia – Help (Greek)
Lyla – Night (Arabic)
Hazel – Hazel tree (English)
Bella – Beautiful (Italian)
Fatima – Captivating, one who abstains (Arabic)
Robyn – Bright fame (English; feminine of Robin)
Scarlett – Red (English)
Nova – New (Latin; also a star that suddenly becomes bright)
Nancy – Grace (originally a diminutive of Ann)
Raya – Friend, queen (Hebrew/Arabic)
Lyra – Lyre, harp (Greek; also a constellation)
Clara – Bright, clear (Latin)
Eloise – Healthy, wide (French)
Nora – Honor, light (short form of Honora or Eleanor)
Lola – Sorrows (Spanish, from Dolores)
Ellie – Light, short for Eleanor or Ellen
Myla – Merciful, soldier (English/Slavic origin)
Darcie – Dark one (Irish)
Maria – Bitter, beloved (Latin form of Mary)
Jasmine – Jasmine flower (Persian)
Nellie – Shining light (diminutive of Eleanor or Helen)
Rosa – Rose (Latin)
Jessica – Foresight, gift (Hebrew; from Shakespeare)
Athena – Goddess of wisdom (Greek)
Sara – Princess (Hebrew)
Lara – Protection, cheerful (Latin/Russian)
Zoe – Life (Greek)
Amelie – Hardworking, industrious (French/German)
Boys top 100 baby names
Now on to the boys. These are the most popular names and they include some seriously cute traditional names and more modern favourites. Muhammad took the top spot from Noah for the first time in last year’s charts.
Muhammad – Praiseworthy (Arabic)
Noah – Rest, comfort (Hebrew)
Oliver – Olive tree (Latin)
Arthur – Bear, noble (Celtic)
Leo – Lion (Latin)
George – Farmer, earthworker (Greek)
Luca – Light, bringer of light (Italian variant of Luke)
Theodore – Gift of God (Greek)
Oscar – Divine spear (Old English/Old Norse)
Archie – Bold, genuine (short for Archibald; Germanic)
Jude – Praised (Hebrew)
Theo – Gift of God (short for Theodore; Greek)
Freddie – Peaceful ruler (short for Frederick; Germanic)
Henry – Estate ruler (Germanic)
Arlo – Fortified hill, barberry tree (Old English/Spanish origin)
Alfie – Wise counselor (short for Alfred; Old English)
Charlie – Free man (short for Charles; Germanic)
Finley – Fair warrior (Scottish)
Albie – Noble, bright (short for Albert; Old English)
Harry – Home ruler (English form of Henry)
Mohammed – Praiseworthy (Arabic, variant of Muhammad)
Jack – God is gracious (diminutive of John; English)
Elijah – My God is Yahweh (Hebrew)
Rory – Red king (Irish)
Lucas – From Lucania, light (Latin)
Thomas – Twin (Aramaic)
William – Resolute protector (Germanic)
Louie – Renowned warrior (French form of Louis)
Teddy – Gift of God (short for Theodore or Edward)
Jacob – Supplanter (Hebrew)
Edward – Wealthy guardian (Old English)
Roman – Citizen of Rome (Latin)
Reuben – Behold, a son (Hebrew)
Oakley – Oak clearing (English)
Adam – Man, earth (Hebrew)
Alexander – Defender of men (Greek)
Isaac – He will laugh (Hebrew)
Ezra – Help (Hebrew)
Tommy – Twin (short for Thomas)
James – Supplanter (English form of Jacob)
Rowan – Little red-haired one (Irish); also a tree
Hudson – Son of Hugh (English)
Reggie – Ruler’s advisor (short for Reginald; Germanic)
Max – Greatest (Latin; short for Maximilian)
Sebastian – Venerable, revered (Greek/Latin)
Hugo – Mind, intellect (Germanic)
Louis – Famous warrior (French/Germanic)
Ethan – Strong, firm (Hebrew)
Ronnie – Ruler with counsel (short for Ronald; Norse)
Joshua – God is salvation (Hebrew)
Sonny – Son (English)
Harrison – Son of Harry (English)
Mohammad – Praiseworthy (variant of Muhammad; Arabic)
Jesse – Gift (Hebrew)
Frederick – Peaceful ruler (Germanic)
Joseph – God will increase (Hebrew)
Albert – Noble, bright (Germanic)
Frankie – Free man (diminutive of Frank/Francis)
Daniel – God is my judge (Hebrew)
Samuel – Heard by God (Hebrew)
Benjamin – Son of the right hand (Hebrew)
Felix – Happy, fortunate (Latin)
Mason – Stone worker (English)
David – Beloved (Hebrew)
Dylan – Son of the sea (Welsh)
Jaxon – God has been gracious (modern spelling of Jackson)
Otis – Wealth, prosperity (Germanic)
Yusuf – God will increase (Arabic form of Joseph)
Zachary – The Lord has remembered (Hebrew)
Liam – Strong-willed warrior (Irish short form of William)
Jasper – Treasurer (Persian origin)
Kai – Sea (Hawaiian); restoration (Welsh); victory (Chinese – varies by origin)
Musa – Moses, drawn out (Arabic)
Gabriel – God is my strength (Hebrew)
Caleb – Whole-hearted, faithful (Hebrew)
Logan – Little hollow (Scottish)
Ibrahim – Father of many (Arabic form of Abraham)
Hunter – One who hunts (English)
Elias – The Lord is my God (Greek form of Elijah)
Riley – Courageous, valiant (Irish)
Alfred – Wise counselor (Old English)
Bobby – Bright fame (short for Robert; English)
Finn – Fair, white (Irish)
Rupert – Bright fame (Germanic)
Michael – Who is like God? (Hebrew)
Toby – God is good (short for Tobias; Hebrew)
Myles – Soldier, merciful (German/Latin)
Austin – Majestic, venerable (Latin form of Augustus)
Nathan – He gave (Hebrew)
Grayson – Son of the steward (English)
Vinnie – Conquering (short for Vincent)
Enzo – Ruler of the household (Italian)
Yahya – God is gracious (Arabic form of John)
Ralph – Wolf counsel (Old Norse/English)
Ellis – The Lord is my God (Welsh form of Elijah)
Milo – Soldier, merciful (Germanic/Latin)
Bodhi – Awakening, enlightenment (Sanskrit)
Elliot – The Lord is my God (Hebrew origin)
Brody – Ditch, muddy place (Scottish)
Leon – Lion (Greek)
