Every September, the ONS releases fascinating data showing trends in baby names. So it’s not long until we’ll see what 2018 had in store for our babies. Will Oliver and Olivia (meaning “elf army” – perhaps an unexpected consequence of Game of Thrones dominating popular culture) top the charts again, as they have done for the past two years? Or will Noah and Isla – both fast climbers over the past 10 years –  knock them off their perches?

Now there is variation in different regions of the country, for example with Muhammad topping the list in London and Yorkshire in last year’s data for example and Oliver in second place there. But Olivia was the most popular name in all 9 regions of England and Wales. Oliver has been the most popular boy’s name across England and Wales since 2013. And in fact there’s been very little change right at the top for both boys and girls over the past few years. Oliver, Harry, George and Jack have been in the top 5 for 3 years running; and Olivia, Amelia, Isla, Ava and Emily have also been in the top 5 over the same period and have just switched places every now and then!

So lets take a look at the list…..