The most popular baby names of 2020 in England and Wales have been revealed by the ONS (Office for National Statistics).
Olivia and Oliver remained the most popular names given to girls’ and boys’ respectively for the fifth year in a row.
There is some change in this year’s list, though.
For the first time in since 2005, Charlie has not made the top 10 boys names, being replaced by Archie with Ivy and Rosie replacing Grace and Freya in the top 10 girls’ names.
The ONS have also reported a generational split when it comes to baby names with parents over the age of 35 more likely to pick a more traditional name, parents under 35 lean towards shorter, more modern names.
“Oliver and Olivia held onto the top spots as the most popular boys’ and girls’ names in 2020 but some interesting changes took place beneath them,” said Siân Bradford of the ONS.
“We continue to see the age of mothers having an impact on the choice of baby name. Archie jumped into the top 10 boys’ names for the first time, driven by younger mothers as well as the obvious Royal link. While on the girls’ side Ivy rose to sixth place.”
Bradford also pointed out that popular culture “continues to provide inspiration for baby names” with “Maeve and Otis, characters from the popular programme Sex Education, have seen a surge in popularity in 2020,”
“While the name Margot has been rapidly climbing since actress Margot Robbie appeared in the popular film The Wolf of Wall Street.”
