The UK’s BabyCentre has unveiled the mid-year top 100 charts for baby names in 2023, providing a glimpse into the current trends in naming newborns. The rankings indicate a shift in popular choices for girls, as Lily claims the top spot, surpassing Sophia, which held the position previously.
Lily has been a favorite among parents since 2015, and its ascent to the number one spot showcases its enduring appeal. Meanwhile, Amelia, Freya, and Aria have steadily climbed the ranks to secure the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions, respectively. Names ending in “A” continue to captivate parents, as demonstrated by their presence in the top ten. Olivia maintains its strong standing in third place.
On the boys’ list, there have been no changes in the top five since December 2022. Muhammad, Noah, Theo, Leo, and Oliver retain their leading positions. However, Arthur’s impressive rise of five spots puts it just shy of breaking into the top five, pushing Jack down to seventh.
One notable shift in naming trends this year can be attributed to celebrity controversies. ‘Holly’ Willoughby and ‘Phillip’ Schofield, have experienced a decline in popularity as baby name choices. Holly’s name has completely dropped out of the top 100, while Phillip’s name has only registered once this year.
Royal influence also plays a role in shaping baby name trends. The name Harry has witnessed a decline of ten places, falling from 13 to 23 in the rankings. Similarly, the names Meghan and Megan have experienced a dip in registrations.
Interestingly, on-screen dramas have had a different impact on naming choices. TV shows like Succession and Bridgerton have sparked a surge in popularity for names inspired by their characters. Logan, the patriarch of the Roy family in Succession, has climbed six places to reach number 48. Roman, another character from the same series, soared nine places to secure the 47th position. Other names associated with Succession, such as Frankie and Hugo, have also made their way into the top 100.
Bridgerton’s influence is evident as well. Charlotte has risen to number 25, likely influenced by the release of Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on Netflix. Violet and Penelope have experienced significant jumps in the rankings, reflecting their popularity among parents. Theo, maintaining its third-place position, is another name connected to the show’s appeal.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid has made a splash in the baby name charts too. Ariella, a new entry inspired by Ariel, has debuted at number 86. Sebastian, another character from the film, has climbed 24 places to secure the 38th position.
These mid-year rankings provide an exciting glimpse into the most popular baby names of 2023 in the UK. Whether influenced by real-life events, royal associations, or on-screen dramas, parents are making their choices based on a variety of factors. As the year progresses, the complete list of top baby names will be revealed, offering a comprehensive overview of naming trends in 2023.
Most popular baby names so far in the UK 2023
Girls
1. Lily +1
2. Sophia -1
3. Olivia +0
4. Amelia +2
5. Freya +2
6. Aria +2
7. Ava -2
8. Isabella +4
9. Isla -5
10. Mila +31
11. Grace +3
12. Layla +34
13. Maryam +23
14. Willow +9
15. Elsie +7
16. Ivy -6
17. Ella +1
18. Evelyn +16
19. Evie -4
20. Mia -7
21. Maya -12
22. Daisy -2
23. Emily -12
24. Sienna +5
25. Charlotte +8
Boys
1. Muhammad +0
2. Noah +0
3. Theo +0
4. Leo +0
5. Oliver +0
6. Arthur +5
7. Jack -1
8. Freddie +2
9. George -2
10. Luca -2
11. Henry +4
12. Ethan -3
13. Oscar +1
14. Jude +28
15. Alfie +7
16. Archie +1
17. Jacob +9
18. Liam +7
19. Charlie -3
20. Thomas -1
21. Jayden +18
22. Teddy -4
23. Harry -10
24. Aiden -3
25. James +15
