Naming a child is one of the most meaningful decisions for new parents—and each year brings fresh inspiration influenced by culture, celebrities, heritage, and even global events. In 2025, parents continued to balance timeless classics with modern, gender-neutral, and globally influenced names.
Behind every baby name lies a story—of family, faith, and future. As we watch new generations grow up in a diverse and dynamic Britain, these names remind us how tradition and modernity can blend beautifully.
Based on registry data and global naming trends, here are the most popular children’s names of 2025—and what they say about this generation.
Top 10 Boys’ Names (2024 Births – England & Wales)
Rank / Name / Number of Babies
1 Muhammad 5,721
2 Noah 4,139
3 Oliver 3,492
4 Arthur 3,368
5 Leo 3,324
6 George 3,150
7 Luca 3,120
8 Theodore 3,018
9 Oscar 2,915
10 Archie 2,850
✳️ Note: Muhammad includes only that spelling. The name is even more popular when counting variations such as Mohammed and Mohammad.
Top 10 Girls’ Names (2024 Births – England & Wales)
Rank / Name / Number of Babies
1 Olivia 2,761
2 Amelia 2,448
3 Lily 2,185
4 Isla 2,056
5 Ivy 1,956
6 Florence 1,914
7 Freya 1,860
8 Poppy 1,838
9 Ava 1,820
10 Elsie 1,790
Olivia has been the UK’s top girls’ name since 2016, reflecting its enduring popularity among families across communities.
What the Trends Show
Heritage & Faith: Names like Muhammad, Yahya, Sara, and Aaliyah reflect Britain’s growing multiculturalism and the pride many communities—including British Indians—take in their roots.
Nature & Vintage: Names like Lily, Ivy, Poppy, and Leo echo natural and old-fashioned charm. These trends align well with Indian names like Anaya, Arjun, Rhea, and Kabir, which offer cultural depth with global appeal.
Fast-Risers & New Entries:
Girls: Eloise, Nora, Athena, Zoe, Rosa
Boys: Yahya, Austin, Nathan, Vinnie
Falling Out: Keir – Not a single boy was named Keir in 2024 despite (or because of) the new Prime Minister.
Meghan and Catherine also dropped, showing reduced royal influence in naming.
Why It Matters to British-Keralite Families:
Kerala-origin families often seek names that are meaningful in Malayalam and English, easy to pronounce internationally and reflect culture, yet feel modern and adaptable.
Examples include:
Girls: Anaya, Nila, Diya, Isha
Boys: Rohan, Dev, Aarav, Neil
