Has your name lasted the test of time? Data has revealed the top 15 baby names that are as popular today as they were in the 1920s – and many have royal and biblical links
You don’t see many Gwendoline’s or Bessie’s in classrooms any more, but some names have managed to cling to their popularity.
Over the last century, we’ve seen a whole host of baby name trends come and go – often inspired by popular culture and Hollywood (Barbie, we’re looking at you). But, there are some names that remain a firm-favourite and are frequently passed down from generation to generation.
Often linked to the Bible or monarchy, it is mainly male names that have held onto popularity in the last century. In fact, there are only two female names in the top 15.
So, let’s have a look and see if your name has lasted the test of time…
Most popular UK baby names (from 1921-2021)
- Alexander
- Charles
- Daniel
- David
- Edward
- Elizabeth
- George
- James
- Joseph
- Michael
- Mohammed
- Robert
- Sarah
- Thomas
- William
The data, sourced from the Office for National Statistics, was analysed by My Nametags and also reveals an increasing popularity in ‘nicknames’ as full names. For example, while Alexander is ranked at the top of the charts, the nickname ‘Alex’ started to gain popularity in the 80s.
A similar logic can be applied to Anthony, Daniel, Joshua – whose nicknames (Tony, Danny, and Josh) have started to emerge as standalone names. In the 1920s, only three nicknames appeared in the top 100 boys’ name chart: Harry, Roy, and Fred. But, by 2010, there were 15 nicknames in the list, including Teddy, Ollie, and Freddie.
Want big news with big heart? Get the top headlines sent straight to your inbox with our Daily Newsletter
According to Oxford Mail, Lars B. Andersen of My Nametags said: “It’s interesting to see that, whilst traditional monikers like Elizabeth and George are maintaining their charm, names in general are becoming more diverse as parents favour less formal options, and increasingly take inspiration from popular culture.”
The expert points to the name Maeve, which hit the top 100 charts back in 2020 thanks to the character Maeve Wiley from Netflix’s cult-favourite show Sex Education. “As popular culture continues to have a wider social impact, we expect this trend to grow, leading to an even broader range of names in the UK,” Andersen added.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected]
