Choosing a name for a baby girl can be difficult. While many names go through parents' heads during pregnancy, it can be difficult to decide on one name. When it comes to naming a baby, there is no single UK-wide list of approved baby names. Parents generally have considerable freedom when choosing a first name, middle names, and surname.
UK Naming Rules
According to the UK government website, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, births normally need to be registered within 42 days. Unlike some countries, the UK does not have an extensive government-approved list of names. However, registrars may object to names that are offensive, obscene, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate. There can also be practical limitations around names containing unusual symbols or formats, so the rules are more nuanced than simply saying that "anything goes".
Certain names are commonplace in specific UK nations — such as Ffion and Bethan in Wales — while remaining relatively uncommon elsewhere across Britain. Yet all are stunning. Northern Irish names have also been included to honour their charm, despite Northern Ireland being part of the UK rather than Britain itself. The names' meanings are provided and, where appropriate, the closest approximate pronunciation for each name, reports the Express.
The 25 Names
1. Siân: Meaning "God's gracious gift" and the Welsh equivalent of Jane. How you say it: Shahn. The "si" sound is like the English "sh" as in "shoe" while the â sound is elongated, as in "calm".
2. Isla: Inspired by the Scottish island "Islay", it means graceful and nature-rooted. How you say it: Eye-lah.
3. Niamh: It translates to "bright" or "radiant". In Irish mythology, Niamh was the offspring of Manannán mac Lir, who is known as the sea god. How you say it: Neev.
4. Lily: A very popular and classic British name, deeply rooted in English culture since the Victorian era, derived from the Latin word for the flower, symbolising purity and beauty.
5. Bethan: A Welsh version of Elizabeth, said to be inspired by the Hebrew name Elisheva and meaning "God is my oath". How you say it: Beth-an.
6. Maisie: Used in Scotland since around the 16th century, so it's timeless. It's a pet form of Mairead and Margaret, from the Greek, meaning "pearl". How you say it: May-zee.
7. Caitlin: Popular in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, Caitlin is in fact an Irish name meaning "pure". It is the Gaelic form of Catherine and has Greek roots, stemming from the word "katharos", meaning "clear, clean, and pure." How you say it: Kate-lyn.
8. Grace: A very well-known and popular name in the UK and English-speaking world, though it is derived from the Latin for "charm" or "favour". It reportedly gained significant use in Britain after the 19th-century heroism of lighthouse keeper Grace Darling, whose heroic actions during a shipwreck rescue made her famous. It was a name regularly used in the sixteenth century to signify god's love and divine grace and is also used in Greek mythology.
9. Ffion: Common in Wales, though it comes from the Gaelic "fionn" which means "fair" or "white". How you say it: Fee-on.
10. Eilidh: The Scottish name Eilidh meaning "torch" or "shining one." It has been popular in Scotland for a long time and derives from the Gaelic version of Eleanor. How you say it: Ay-lee.
11. Mollie: Mollie (or Molly) could be considered a British or Irish name, but it is in fact of Hebrew origin. Originally a pet name for Mary, Mollie is also considered to have several meanings, ranging from "bitterness" to "rebellious" to "star of the sea", "beloved" and "wished for child."
12. Rosie: Comes from "rose" and is related to the Latin name Rosa.
13. Lowri: The Welsh equivalent of the name Laura, said to derive from Latin and mean "laurel", symbolising victory, honour and success. How you say it: Low-ree.
14. Hâf: "Summer" in Welsh. How you say it: Pronounced like 'halve' in English.
15. Ada: Ada's primary origins are Germanic (meaning "noble") and Hebrew (meaning "ornament") but it has strong historical ties to Britain, especially Scotland, through noble families like the 12th century Ada de Warenne, wife of a Scottish prince, and Ada of Scotland. Ada Lovelace was, of course, a famous English mathematician. How you say it: Eh-dah (with the "eh" pronounced like the letter "a").
16. Maeve: Rising in popularity in Northern Ireland and more widely, Maeve is deeply rooted in Irish mythology as the powerful Queen Medb. It comes from the Old Irish "Méabh", meaning "she who intoxicates" or "she who rules," a name associated with strength, beauty and sovereignty, making it a strong choice with Irish heritage. How you say it: Mayv, rhyming with "wave".
17. Elsie: Originates as a Scottish diminutive of Elizabeth (from Hebrew 'God is my oath'). It gained widespread use in English-speaking countries during the Victorian era and while it then dropped out of fashion for decades it has experienced a strong resurgence in modern times for its classic, charming feel.
18. Gwawr: Welsh for "dawn". How you say it: Goo-wow-oor.
19. Bonnie: Derived from the Scots word "bonnie" — meaning beautiful, pretty, or charming — Bonnie has strong ties to the UK's cultural heritage and is used widely across Britain not only as a name but as a term of endearment. It is a name with a classic, comforting feel.
20. Florence: Its Latin root means "flourishing" and its popularity in Britain grew significantly during the Victorian era. It became widely used thanks to historical figures like Florence Nightingale.
21. Alaw: Welsh for "melody", "tune" or "harmony" and is said to be a name of Celtic origin. How you say it: Al-ow ("ow" as in "ouch").
22. Orla: Popular in Scotland, where Gaelic names are common, but Orla is in fact an Irish name that means "golden princess" and comes from the Celtic "Órfhlaith" which has a history among ancient Irish queens and princesses, like Órlaith íngen Cennétig. How you say it: Orr-lah.
23. Evelyn: This classic name has deep roots in Britain, where it originated from an old English surname derived from the Norman French name "Aveline", meaning "desired" or "wished for". It also has Germanic roots and may also be related to the Irish name Éibhleann. It is another "old-lady-cool" name that is growing in popularity.
24. Seren: Welsh for "star". How you say it: Sair-en.
25. Carys: Comes from the Welsh word "caru", which means "to love". How you say it: Car-iss.
