The vintage baby name Marnie, often considered an 'old-lady' name, is making a comeback in the UK, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The name entered the top 100 baby girl names in 2025, reflecting a shift in naming trends toward nostalgic and retro choices.
ONS Releases Most Popular Baby Names
The ONS published the UK's most popular baby names based on last year's birth registrations. Olivia remains the most popular name for British girls, followed by Lily and Amelia. For boys, Muhammad holds the top spot for the third consecutive year. While the top 10 remain similar to previous years, several new names have entered the top 100, including some 'old-fashioned' names.
New entries for baby girls include Marnie, Eliana, Gracie, Anaya, Alba, Lilah, and Frankie. For boys, the new top 100 entries are Vincent, Carter, Stanley, and Ruben.
The Rise of Marnie
Marnie is originally a short form of Margaret and gained popularity in 1964 after Alfred Hitchcock's film Marnie. The name is considered vintage and retro, but many parents in the UK are now choosing it for their daughters.
Mums on the parenting forum Mumsnet shared their thoughts on the name. One user said: “It’s a nice choice, but if it was me, I would use Marina, Maren, Maria, Margaret, and use Marnie as the nickname.”
Margaret has been used since the Middle Ages and was the most popular girl's name in England in the 1920s and 1940s. However, some parents find Margaret itself too old-fashioned. One mum commented: “I had always thought it was an old lady name - every old lady seems to be called Margaret.” Another added: “My nana is called Margaret too, and I’d love to use her name for a little girl. For me, it’s a bit too old-fashioned, but I’d use Maggie or Peggy.”
Top 10 Baby Names for 2025
Top 10 boy's names:
- Muhammad
- Noah
- Leo
- Luca
- Arthur
- Oliver
- George
- Oscar
- Theodore
- Freddie
Top 10 girl's names:
- Olivia
- Lily
- Amelia
- Isla
- Florence
- Freya
- Poppy
- Elsie
- Ivy
- Isabella
The ONS data highlights a growing trend toward vintage names, with Marnie leading the resurgence. Parents are increasingly drawn to names with historical roots and cultural significance, even if they once seemed outdated.
