The UK's most popular baby names of the last decade have been revealed - and the list is perfect reading for any name obsessives.
Of course, popularity does not equate to perfection, and parents are free to choose the moniker they like best for their bundles of joy. But if you've been wondering which names came out on top then you're in the luck.
The experts over at BabyCentre have worked out the top 20 girls' names and top 20 boys' names from 2020 through to 2022 - and the meaning behind the popular picks. From long-standing favourites to surprise contenders, here's the names that parents have been loving over the last decade.
It goes without saying that each choice is beautiful for its own reasons - but several also have powerful meanings.
On the girls' list there's Hannah, a name with Hebrew origins, derived from Channah, meaning 'grace' or 'favour'. There's also Ella, meaning 'torch' or 'light', which comes from the Greek Helene.
Meanwhile, on the boys' list, Archie, a name which Scottish roots, translates to 'genuine', 'bold' and 'brave'. Similarly, Ethan means 'strong' and 'solid'.
Not every meaning is quite so positive though, even if the names are cute regardless. Emily, which proves consistently popular, is derived from the Roman surname Aemilius, meaning 'rival', according to the experts.
Parents may also be shocked to learn the Scandinavian form of the name Mia means 'bitter'. On the boys' list, Finley might be the most surprising translation. "Derived from Gaelic and translating to 'blond warrior' in its shortened form," the name is nonetheless popular as the pros explain.
Elsewhere, another popular pick, Alfie, might not mean what you expect, as the moniker is a shortened form of the Old English Alfraed, meaning 'elf'.
None of these names secured the prize place, though. For girls, Sophia took the top spot. Meanwhile, on the boys' list the experts announced that Muhammad 'certainly deserves the loudest applause this decade' after securing first place both in the annual list and this research.
The top 20 girls' names in full
- Sophia
- Olivia
- Lily
- Amelia
- Ava
- Isla
- Mia
- Freya
- Aria
- Ivy
- Ella
- Isabella
- Emily
- Grace
- Evie
- Rosie
- Poppy
- Maya
- Hannah
- Isabelle
The top 20 boys' names in full
- Muhammad
- Noah
- Oliver
- Leo
- George
- Theo
- Freddie
- Arthur
- Jack
- Harry
- Charlie
- Ethan
- Oscar
- Archie
- Thomas
- Finley
- Jacob
- Ryan
- Henry
- Alfie
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