Olivia has replaced Amelia as the most popular baby girls’ name in England and Wales, it has been revealed. The exception is in Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, West Midlands and London, where Amelia continues to occupy the top spot.
Oliver was still the most popular boys’ name across most of England and Wales, apart from in the North East where it was Harry, and in London and the West Midlands, where it was Muhammad.
It is the only the third time in history that gender-variations of the same name have featured at the top of the name league tables. In 2009 and 2010, Oliver and Olivia also occupied the top spot.
Harper, the name given by David and Victoria Beckham to their daughter, has seen the biggest growth in popularity.
In 2011, the year she was born, there were 42 girls with the name in England and Wales. It is now the 44th most popular girls’ name, given to 1,256 babies in 2016, official ONS statistics showed.
The largest decrease, however, was for Daniel, down 20 places in the rankings since being in the top 10 in 2006.
Muhammad replaced William in the top 10 names for boys, while Poppy dropped out of the top 10 for girls, making way for Lily.
Charlotte moved up 13 places to number 12 – probably reflecting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s choice for their daughter in 2015.
Top 10 girls’ names in England and Wales
1. Olivia – 5,017
2. Amelia – 4,777
3. Emily – 3,551
4. Isla – 3,476
5. Ava – 3,285
6. Isabella – 2,729
7. Lily – 2,722
8. Jessica – 2,703
9. Ella – 2,702
10. Mia – 2,662
Top 10 boys’ names in England and Wales
1. Oliver – 6,623
2. Harry – 5,284
3. George – 5,263
4. Jack – 4,751
5. Jacob – 4,485
6. Noah – 4,305
7. Charlie – 4,190
8. Muhammad – 3,908
9. Thomas – 3,898
10. Oscar – 3,894