Oliver, Olivia top UK name list

LONDON — Oliver and Olivia have emerged as the most popular names for babies born in England and Wales last year, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday.

The list showed that of the babies born in 2016, 13 percent of boys and 10 percent of girls were given a first name featuring in the top 10 chart.

Olivia regained its place at the top of the list of girl’s names, replacing Amelia, the top name since 2011. As a consolation prize, Amelia remained the most popular name in four English regions, with Olivia top in the remaining five as well as in Wales.

Oliver remained the most popular name for boys for the fourth year in a row, said ONS, topping the names chart in six English regions and in Wales.

Lily replaced Poppy in the top 10 girls’ names in 2016, compared with 2015, and Muhammad replaced William in the top 10 boys’ names.

ONS statistician Nick Stripe said: “With over 696,000 babies born in England and Wales in 2016, and nearly 64,000 different names chosen for them, it’s interesting how relatively stable the top 10 names have been over recent years.

“Olivia replaced Amelia as the most popular name for girls in 2016, returning to the top position it previously held between 2008 and 2010. Oliver remained the most popular name for baby boys born in 2016, having held the top spot since 2013.”

He added people can notice social and cultural changes being reflected in name choices. Harper was the girls’ name in the top 100 in 2016, with the biggest rise in popularity over the previous 10 years, while for boys it was Jaxon.

In the boy’s list, five names remained in the top 10 and were joined by five newcomers. The list is Oliver, Harry, George (14th in 2015), Jack, Jacob (22), Noah (47), Charlie, Muhammad (43), Thomas, and Oscar (46).

Six girl’s names entered the top 10, joining four who stayed in their top spots. They are Olivia, Amelia (16th in 2015), Emily, Isla (93), Ava (60), Isabella (20), Lily, Jessica, Ella (11) and Mia (14).