A new analysis of Office for National Statistics (ONS) data has revealed which baby names were in the top 100 a century ago and still rank among the most popular choices today. The study by Autism Parenting Magazine compared the top 100 baby names for 2025 in England and Wales with those from 1924, the closest year to a century ago available.
Some of the most popular timeless names include Lily, Violet, George, and Thomas. The research found that almost a quarter of the most popular names from 1924 remain among the favoured choices today.
Top 10 vintage baby girl names
Lily is the most popular vintage baby girl name, with 2,249 girls named Lily in 2025, more than any other vintage name in both top 100 lists. Florence follows in second with 1,924 births, and Elsie places third with 1,700 births.
Ivy is fourth with 1,698 births, while Evelyn is fifth with 1,560 births. Mabel is sixth with 1,527 births, followed by Daisy in seventh and Grace in eighth, with 1,454 and 1,309 births respectively. Violet ranks ninth with 1,061 births, and Ruby rounds out the top ten with 1,032 births.
Top 10 vintage baby boy names
Arthur is the most popular vintage baby boy name, with 3,211 boys named Arthur in 2025. George follows in second with 3,082 births, and Henry places third with 2,295 births. Harry is fourth with 1,718 births, closely followed by Mohammed in fifth with 1,712 births.
Jack is sixth with 1,595 births, followed by William in seventh and Edward in eighth, with 1,456 and 1,385 births respectively. Thomas ranks ninth with 1,344 births, and Alexander completes the top ten with 1,271 births.
Why vintage names endure
Mark Blakey, CEO of Autism Parenting Magazine, commented: "It is clear there are so many timeless options expecting parents could opt for when choosing to name their child, and it appears that long-standing names are favoured widely. What stands out is that names like Albert or Mabel, which many would associate with a bygone era, are now being chosen by hundreds of new parents each year."
Blakey added: "Many may gain inspiration from older relatives that they wish to honour, or they may be inspired by historical figures or their favourite characters on screen or in literature. The fact that almost a quarter of the most popular names from a century ago remain among the favoured choices is fascinating, highlighting their strong appeal through generations and perhaps generations to come."
