Nigel, Kerry and Norman in danger of disappearing as Olivia tops most popular girls name list
Some names are in danger of becoming extinct, with fewer than ten babies being named Nigel or Karen each year, according to the latest figures.
Noah and Olivia were the most popular names for boys and girls in 2021, while Muhammad topped the list of boys’ name in nearly half of English regions.
Oliver, which had been the most most popular boys’ name for eight years, dropped to second place while Olivia made the girls' top spot for the sixth year in succession, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Noah was the fourth most popular boys’ name in 2020 and has risen 15 places since 2011.
In total, 4,525 baby boys were named Noah in 2021, and 3,649 girls were named Olivia, up from 3,640 in 2020. Muhammad was the most popular boys’ name in four out of nine English regions, and the fifth most popular name overall.
The 10 most popular names for baby boys in England and Wales in 2021
1. Noah 4,525 (+3)
2. Oliver 4,167 (-1)
3. George 4,141 (-1)
4. Arthur 3,766 (-1)
5. Muhammad 3,722 (0)
6. Leo 3,465 (0)
7. Harry 3,089 (+1)
8. Oscar 3,071 (-1)
9. Archie 2,928 (0)
10. Henry 2,912 (+1)
But, others have completely fallen out of favour.
“Leslie has had relatively little popularity in recent years with fewer than seven boys named each year since 2018. Others such as Clifford, Nigel and Norman have not fared much better with 10 or fewer boys being named," James Tucker, of the ONS, said.
“Girls’ names such as Glenda and Kerry, that were more common before, are also becoming endangered and we have seen less than five girls being named each year since 2018.
Jack fell out of the top 10 for the first time since 1996, replaced by Henry.
Isabella, Rosie and Sophia also fell in popularity, replaced in the top 10 by Freya, Florence and Willow.
Meanwhile, Rupert and Brody made it into the top 100 names for the first time.
The 10 most popular names for baby girls in England and Wales in 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics.
1. Olivia 3,649 (0)
2. Amelia 3,164 (0)
3. Isla 2,683 (0)
4. Ava 2,576 (0)
5. Ivy 2,245 (+1)
6. Freya 2,187 (+6)
7. Lily 2,182 (0)
8. Florence 2,180 (+6)
9. Mia 2,168 (-4)
10. Willow 2,067 (+2)
Olivia was the top girls’ name in every English region and Wales, except in the East Midlands where Amelia was the most popular girls’ name.
New entries to the top 100 included Lara, Beatrice and Sara for girls, and Blake, Brody, Kai, Rupert, Tobias and Nathan for boys.
The age of the mother drew clear distinctions.
More traditional names such as Alexander and Thomas were popular among those over 35 while Elijah and Arlo only appeared in the top 10 boys’ names for mothers under 25.
Mothers over 35 were also more likely to give their babies traditional names such as Thomas, while younger mothers were more likely to use shortened versions, such as Tommy.
Willow, Isabella, Harper and Delilah were girls’ names only seen in the top 10 among mothers under 25, while Charlotte, Grace, Sophie and Sophia were more likely for mothers over 35.
Names of Welsh origin featured among the most popular in Wales in 2021: Alys, Ffion, Seren and Eira were among the top 50 for girls, and Arthur, Osian, Dylan and Elis were among the top 30 for boys.
Mr Tucker, of the ONS, said: “Noah has replaced Oliver as the most popular name for boys in 2021, moving Oliver into second place and ending an eight-year reign at the top.
“Olivia remained the most popular girls’ name in 2021, having held the top spot since 2016. Interestingly, Noah was not top in any of the English regions, but has risen up the ranks in most regions since last year to take first place overall."
He added: “Popular culture continues to influence parents’ baby name choices. Today we have also published analysis exploring cultural influences that could be inspiring baby name trends, from hit TV shows to musical icons.”