Popular Baby Names In The UK In 2006

In England and Wales the most popular baby boy?s name in 2006 was Jack ? that?s 12 years in a row that Jack has been at number one! Olivia is the most popular baby girl?s name, up from fourth place in 2005.

There was little change in the top 20 boys? names with most just moving up or down a place or two. The exception was Alfie, up 6 places at 16. Other big movers were Jayden and Freddie, both up 16 places at 68 and 65 respectively; and Rhys, Lucas and Bradley, each up 16 places. Fallers included the older, more traditional names like Joe, down 15 at 78, whilst Patrick and Jonathan moved out of the top 100. New entries included Theo, Reuben and Ashton.

As usual there was more pronounced movement among baby girls? names: Grace moved up 5 places to second, and Ruby climbed 11 at 4. Gracie was also popular, climbing 42 places to 51. Other climbers included Maya, Imogen, Matilda and Ava, while Abbie, Niamh, Shannon, Caitlin and Aimee all fell. New names to appear for the first time in the top 100 baby names were Isla, Martha, Lara and Layla.

In Scotland Jack replaced Lewis as the most popular baby boy?s name, and Sophie retained top spot for the girls. Fastest climbers were Keira and Leo ? reflecting the popularity of actress Keira Knightley and Prime Minister Tony Blair who named his son Leo.

Parents in Northern Ireland choose Jack and Katie again in 2006. There was little change in the top 10 boy?s and girl?s names. Further down the rankings, baby boy?s names to increase in popularity included Lewis, Jake, Noah and Harvey; whilst girl?s names to climb the rankings included Ruby and Isabella. Fallers were Louis, Patrick, David; and Kathryn and Katherine.

Parents again mimicked celebrities with Cruz and Lexie increasing in popularity after famous footballers? offspring; and Shayne and Preston, the names of the winners of two reality TV shows.

Tony Luck runs a website about babies. Read more about choosing a name for your baby at his site.