Top 100 Boys' Names in the UK: The Official List With Meanings (ONS Data)
Posted by Daniela
Which boys' names are British parents choosing right now? The most reliable answer comes from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which counts every baby name registered in England and Wales. Its latest figures, published in July 2026, cover all 300,715 baby boys born in 2025, and they show a mix of timeless classics, cheeky nickname names and a few fast-rising newcomers.
Below you will find the full top 100 boys' names in England and Wales, with the meaning and origin of each name, how many babies received it and whether it gained or lost ground compared with the year before.
Contents
Key Facts From the Latest ONS Data
Muhammad is No.1 for the third year in a row, given to 5,957 boys. Add the spellings Mohammed (No.20) and Mohammad (No.55) and the total passes 8,500.
Noah stays at No.2 with 4,075 boys.
Leo moved into the top three, pushing Oliver down to sixth place.
Freddie is new to the top 10, replacing Archie.
Luca had the biggest gain, with 452 more boys than in 2024, taking it to No.4.
Four names joined the top 100: Vincent, Carter, Stanley and Ruben. Grayson, Brody and Bodhi dropped out.
Vinnie had the biggest percentage rise in the top 100, up by around 45%.
Remember that the ONS counts each spelling separately. Theodore (No.9) and Theo (No.12) together reach more than 5,000 boys, which would place them second overall. Reuben and Ruben combined come to almost 2,000.
The Top 10 Boys' Names at a Glance
Rank | Name | Babies in 2025 | Change in births vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Muhammad | 5,957 | +236 |
2 | Noah | 4,075 | -64 |
3 | Leo | 3,278 | -46 |
4 | Luca | 3,266 | +452 |
5 | Arthur | 3,211 | -157 |
6 | Oliver | 3,154 | -338 |
7 | George | 3,082 | -175 |
8 | Oscar | 2,798 | +51 |
9 | Theodore | 2,638 | -123 |
10 | Freddie | 2,526 | +157 |
In the full list below, the figure in brackets shows how many more or fewer boys received each name compared with 2024. Where two names share a rank, they were given to exactly the same number of babies.
#1–10: The Top 10 Boys' Names
1. Muhammad — Arabic, "praised" or "praiseworthy". 5,957 babies (+236 on 2024). No.1 for the third year running.
2. Noah — Hebrew, "rest" or "comfort". 4,075 babies (-64 on 2024). Holds second place again.
3. Leo — Latin, "lion". 3,278 babies (-46 on 2024). Moved into the top three, pushing Oliver out.
4. Luca — Italian form of Luke, "from Lucania". 3,266 babies (+452 on 2024). The biggest gain in births of any top 100 boys' name.
5. Arthur — Celtic, possibly "bear". 3,211 babies (-157 on 2024). Legendary, royal and still hugely loved.
6. Oliver — Latin and English, linked to the olive tree. 3,154 babies (-338 on 2024). Slipped out of the top three.
7. George — Greek, "farmer". 3,082 babies (-175 on 2024). A royal classic that never really leaves the top 10.
8. Oscar — Irish, often read as "friend of deer". 2,798 babies (+51 on 2024). One of four top 10 names to gain births this year.
9. Theodore — Greek, "gift of God". 2,638 babies (-123 on 2024). Plus 2,398 more boys named Theo.
10. Freddie — English pet form of Frederick, "peaceful ruler". 2,526 babies (+157 on 2024). New to the top 10, replacing Archie.
#11–20: Classics and Climbers
11. Archie — Scottish pet form of Archibald, "genuine" and "bold". 2,465 babies (-110 on 2024). Just outside the top 10.
12. Theo — Greek, "god", short for Theodore. 2,398 babies (+11 on 2024). Theo and Theodore together reach over 5,000 boys.
13. Henry — Germanic, "ruler of the home". 2,295 babies (-65 on 2024). Timeless and royal.
14. Jude — Hebrew, "praised". 2,153 babies (-387 on 2024). The biggest drop in births in the top 100.
15. Arlo — English, linked to "fortified hill". 2,083 babies (-137 on 2024). A modern favourite with a vintage feel.
16. Alfie — English pet form of Alfred, "elf counsel". 1,955 babies (-65 on 2024). Cheeky, friendly and very British.
17. Rory — Irish, "red king". 1,760 babies (+172 on 2024). One of the strongest climbers in the top 20.
18. Finley — Scottish and Irish, "fair-haired warrior". 1,733 babies (-153 on 2024). Still a top 20 favourite.
19. Harry — Medieval English form of Henry. 1,718 babies (-47 on 2024). Royal and down-to-earth at once.
20. Mohammed — Arabic, "praised", a spelling of Muhammad. 1,712 babies (-48 on 2024). Counted separately by the ONS.
#21–30: Royal and Biblical Favourites
21. Albie — English pet form of Albert, "noble" and "bright". 1,702 babies (-118 on 2024). Short, sweet and vintage.
22. Charlie — English pet form of Charles, "free man". 1,679 babies (-277 on 2024). One of the bigger falls this year.
23. Elijah — Hebrew, "my God is Yahweh". 1,659 babies (-2 on 2024). Almost exactly as popular as in 2024.
24. Jack — English, from John, "God is gracious". 1,595 babies (-116 on 2024). Once No.1 for 14 years in a row.
25. William — Germanic, "resolute protector". 1,456 babies (-61 on 2024). The future king's name remains a classic.
26. Adam — Hebrew, "man" or "earth". 1,431 babies (+21 on 2024). Simple, ancient and rising.
27. Roman — Latin, "citizen of Rome". 1,420 babies (-34 on 2024). Strong and classical.
28. Louie — English form of Louis, "famous warrior". 1,418 babies (-98 on 2024). More playful than Louis (No.49).
29. Reuben — Hebrew, "behold, a son". 1,412 babies (-30 on 2024). Also popular as Ruben (No.100).
30. Rowan — Irish, "little red one", also a tree. 1,398 babies (+152 on 2024). A nature name on the rise.
#31–40: Nickname Names Take Off
31. Edward — Old English, "rich guardian". 1,385 babies (-76 on 2024). Gives us Ed, Eddie, Ned and Teddy.
32. Lucas — Latin, "from Lucania". 1,381 babies (-169 on 2024). Losing ground to Luca.
33. Oakley — English, "oak clearing". 1,377 babies (-55 on 2024). A nature-inspired surname name.
34. Teddy — English pet form of Edward or Theodore. 1,360 babies (-146 on 2024). Cuddly and classic.
35. Thomas — Aramaic, "twin". 1,344 babies (-199 on 2024). Familiar in almost every language.
36. Isaac — Hebrew, "he will laugh". 1,331 babies (-29 on 2024). A happy meaning for a happy name.
37. Reggie — English pet form of Reginald, "counsel" and "power". 1,312 babies (+118 on 2024). Vintage nickname names are booming.
38. Ezra — Hebrew, "help". 1,300 babies (-39 on 2024). Short, soft and biblical.
39. Ronnie — English pet form of Ronald, "ruler's counsel". 1,281 babies (+222 on 2024). One of the biggest gains in births this year.
40. Alexander — Greek, "defender of the people". 1,271 babies (-94 on 2024). Long, strong and versatile.
#41–50: Strong and Steady
41. Jacob — Hebrew, "supplanter". 1,258 babies (-226 on 2024). A big fall for a former favourite.
42. James — Hebrew via Latin, "supplanter". 1,211 babies (-41 on 2024). A classic in every generation.
43. Hudson — English, "son of Hudde". 1,204 babies (-12 on 2024). A modern surname name.
44. Tommy — English pet form of Thomas. 1,160 babies (-164 on 2024). Friendly, but cooling off.
45. Sonny — English, "son". 1,137 babies (+115 on 2024). Cheerful and climbing.
46. Hugo — Germanic, "mind" or "heart". 1,094 babies (same as 2024). Exactly the same number of boys as in 2024.
47. Sebastian — Greek, "venerable". 1,077 babies (-39 on 2024). Elegant, with Seb as a nickname.
48. Max — Latin, from Maximilian, "greatest". 1,061 babies (-79 on 2024). Short and punchy.
49. Louis — French, "famous warrior". 1,030 babies (-62 on 2024). Royal and refined.
50. Harrison — English, "son of Harry". 1,007 babies (+20 on 2024). A surname name with a classic feel.
#51–60: Vintage Revival
51. Jesse — Hebrew, "gift". 980 babies (+4 on 2024). Laid-back and timeless.
52. Frederick — Germanic, "peaceful ruler". 954 babies (-10 on 2024). The full form behind Freddie.
53. Joshua — Hebrew, "God is salvation". 938 babies (-89 on 2024). A 1990s favourite easing off.
54. Ethan — Hebrew, "strong" or "firm". 917 babies (-169 on 2024). Down noticeably this year.
55. Mohammad — Arabic, "praised". 895 babies (-91 on 2024). A third spelling of Muhammad in the top 100.
56. Frankie — English pet form of Francis, "free". 887 babies (-24 on 2024). Fun and friendly.
57. Albert — Germanic, "noble" and "bright". 884 babies (-31 on 2024). Victorian and back in style.
58. Vinnie — English pet form of Vincent, "conquering". 851 babies (+266 on 2024). The biggest percentage rise in the top 100.
59. Felix — Latin, "lucky" or "happy". 811 babies (+1 on 2024). Joint 59th with Joseph.
59. Joseph — Hebrew, "he will add". 811 babies (-135 on 2024). Joint 59th with Felix.
#61–70: Names From Around the World
61. Benjamin — Hebrew, "son of the right hand". 808 babies (-33 on 2024). Ben, Benji and Benny built in.
62. Daniel — Hebrew, "God is my judge". 804 babies (-73 on 2024). Recognised worldwide.
63. Jasper — Persian, "treasurer". 802 babies (+63 on 2024). Vintage, artsy and rising.
64. Musa — Arabic form of Moses. 798 babies (+67 on 2024). Joint 64th with Yusuf.
64. Yusuf — Arabic form of Joseph. 798 babies (+36 on 2024). Joint 64th with Musa.
66. Samuel — Hebrew, "God has heard". 768 babies (-89 on 2024). Sam, Sammy and Samuel all work.
67. Myles — A spelling of Miles, often linked to "soldier". 764 babies (+155 on 2024). A strong climber.
68. Liam — Irish, short for William. 763 babies (+14 on 2024). Far less common here than in the US.
69. Elias — Greek form of Elijah. 738 babies (+51 on 2024). Gaining steadily.
70. Ibrahim — Arabic form of Abraham, "father of many". 731 babies (+37 on 2024). Rising this year.
#71–80: Welsh, Irish and Old English
71. Otis — Germanic, "wealth". 726 babies (-36 on 2024). Cool and musical.
72. Dylan — Welsh, "son of the sea". 717 babies (-71 on 2024). A Welsh classic.
73. David — Hebrew, "beloved". 712 babies (-76 on 2024). The patron saint of Wales.
74. Finn — Irish, "fair" or "white". 706 babies (+69 on 2024). Short, bright and rising.
75. Zachary — Hebrew, "God remembers". 703 babies (-57 on 2024). Zach for short.
76. Alfred — Old English, "elf counsel". 682 babies (+25 on 2024). The full name behind Alfie is climbing.
77. Mason — English, "stone worker". 675 babies (-131 on 2024). One of the biggest falls this year.
78. Kai — Hawaiian "sea", also Welsh and Scandinavian roots. 672 babies (-63 on 2024). Short and international.
79. Rupert — Germanic, a form of Robert, "bright fame". 670 babies (+33 on 2024). Very British and gaining.
80. Gabriel — Hebrew, "God is my strength". 666 babies (-64 on 2024). Angelic and international.
#81–90: Changing Fortunes
81. Yahya — Arabic form of John. 625 babies (+42 on 2024). Rising steadily.
82. Caleb — Hebrew, often "wholehearted". 624 babies (-89 on 2024). Cooling off.
83. Riley — Irish, "valiant". 619 babies (-66 on 2024). Sporty and easy-going.
84. Enzo — Italian, from Lorenzo or Vincenzo. 617 babies (+33 on 2024). Italian names are on the rise.
85. Michael — Hebrew, "who is like God?". 615 babies (-11 on 2024). Rare for babies now compared with past decades.
86. Austin — English, from Augustine, "great". 612 babies (+15 on 2024). Smart and steady.
87. Logan — Scottish, "little hollow". 609 babies (-89 on 2024). Losing ground.
88. Jaxon — A modern spelling of Jackson. 605 babies (-170 on 2024). One of the biggest falls in the list.
89. Toby — Hebrew, from Tobias, "God is good". 600 babies (-21 on 2024). Friendly and classic.
90. Milo — Of uncertain origin, often linked to "dear". 597 babies (+30 on 2024). Gentle and rising.
#91–100: The New Arrivals
91. Hunter — English occupational name. 595 babies (-97 on 2024). Losing pace.
92. Ellis — Welsh and English, from Elias. 582 babies (+11 on 2024). Holding on.
93. Vincent — Latin, "conquering". 560 babies (+107 on 2024). New to the top 100.
94. Bobby — English pet form of Robert. 544 babies (-108 on 2024). Joint 94th with Elliot.
94. Elliot — English, from Elias or Elijah. 544 babies (-16 on 2024). Joint 94th with Bobby.
96. Ralph — Old English and Norse, "wolf counsel". 541 babies (-31 on 2024). Old-fashioned charm.
97. Carter — English, "cart driver". 536 babies (+16 on 2024). New to the top 100, joint 97th.
97. Stanley — Old English, "stony clearing". 536 babies (+13 on 2024). New to the top 100, joint 97th.
99. Nathan — Hebrew, "he gave". 528 babies (-69 on 2024). Only just holding on.
100. Ruben — A spelling of Reuben, "behold, a son". 527 babies (+92 on 2024). New to the top 100.
Boys' Name Trends in the UK
Nickname names are everywhere
Freddie, Alfie, Albie, Reggie, Ronnie, Teddy, Vinnie, Sonny and Frankie all appear in the top 60. British parents love a friendly, informal name, and several of these are rising fast. Ronnie and Vinnie were among the biggest winners of the year.
Italian names are on the rise
Luca made the biggest gain in births of any boys' name, and Enzo climbed too. Short, warm Italian names are a growing favourite with families across England and Wales.
Old-fashioned names keep coming back
Arthur, George, Albert, Alfred, Stanley, Rupert, Jasper and Ralph show that names popular a century ago feel fresh again. Stanley's return to the top 100 is the latest example.
Names from many cultures
Muhammad, Musa, Yusuf, Ibrahim and Yahya all rank in the top 100, and several gained ground in 2025. The list reflects the wide range of backgrounds of families across the country.
What is fading
Jude, Oliver, Charlie, Jacob, Thomas and Jaxon all had large drops in births. Americanised surname names such as Jaxon, Mason, Hunter and Logan are losing ground, and Grayson and Brody left the top 100 altogether.
Official Data vs Parent Polls
You may see other "top 100" lists from parenting websites and apps. These are usually based on names their own users have shared, so they can differ quite a bit from the official figures. The ONS rankings are based on every birth registered in England and Wales, which makes them the most complete picture available. Scotland and Northern Ireland publish their own baby name statistics separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular boy's name in the UK?
In England and Wales, Muhammad is the most popular boys' name for the third year running, with 5,957 babies in 2025. Noah is second and Leo third.
Where does this data come from?
All figures come from the Office for National Statistics' baby names release for England and Wales, published in July 2026 and covering births registered in 2025.
Which boys' names are rising fastest?
Luca gained the most babies, with 452 more than in 2024. Vinnie, Ronnie, Rory, Freddie, Myles and Rowan also made big gains, while Vinnie had the largest percentage rise.
Which names are new to the top 100?
Vincent, Carter, Stanley and Ruben all entered the top 100 boys' names in 2025.
When will the next official list be released?
The ONS usually publishes baby name statistics for England and Wales once a year, in the summer or early autumn, covering births from the previous year.
Celebrate His Name
Whether you choose a chart-topper like Noah or a rising star like Vinnie, his name will soon appear on a birth announcement, a baby shower card or a christening invitation. When the time comes to share the news, give his name the beautiful introduction it deserves.