New entries to the list of top 100 baby names in England and Wales for 2022 suggest European names are gradually gaining favour, data from the Office for National Statistics shows.
While girls’ names remained largely unchanged from 2021, with Olivia top (most popular with mothers aged 25 and older), followed by Amelia (most popular with mothers aged under 25), Isla and Ava, more unusual names are creeping in.
Nova, popular in Scandinavia, has entered the top 100 for the first time, with 539 baby girls being called that in 2022. That is an increase of 1,629 places since 2012 and 10 since 2021.
Ophelia, Ottilie and Eloise have also entered the top 100, as has Fatima, at 99.
There has also been little change in boys’ names: Noah is top (most popular with mothers aged under 25), followed by Muhammad (most popular with mothers aged 25-29), George, Oliver (most popular with mothers aged 30-34) and Leo.
New boys names in the top 100 include Leon, which has moved up six places since 2022 and 151 since 2012. Elias is also creeping in, up 13 places in the last year and 151 in the last decade.
Musa, Axel and Ibrahim have broken into the top 100 for the first time, rising 12, 38 and two places respectively in the last year – and 114, 534 and seven in the last decade.
Noah was the most popular name from January to November, pipped in December when more Muhammads were born. For girls, Olivia and Amelia vied for top place every month.
In Blackpool, Aurora was the most popular name for girls, while Rutland favoured Margot for girls and Arlo and Noah for boys. North Somerset went for Florence, while North Devon favoured Willow.
Hyndburn, in Lancashire, chose Hallie, as well as Amelia and Ava, while Pendle, also in Lancashire, went for Mirha. Middlesbrough was split between Luca and Muhammad for boys, while Copeland, in western Cumbria, opted for Teddy.
