The definitive ranking of the UK's most popular baby names for 2025 has been published, revealing a fascinating cultural snapshot of the nation's tastes. The annual list, compiled by BabyCentre, highlights a dramatic shift towards nostalgic 'dad names' and the powerful, accelerating influence of pop culture moments from music and television.
The 'Dad Name' Renaissance & The Normcore Revival
In one of the most striking trends, classic boys' names once considered firmly out of fashion have staged a remarkable comeback. Names like Jason, Samuel, Luke, Alexander, David, Daniel, Nathan and Adam have surged back into favour, enjoying an unexpected renaissance after decades in the wilderness. Experts attribute this to a growing 'normcore' movement among new parents.
BabyCentre's baby name expert SJ Strum explained this counter-trend, stating: "While there's been a huge rise in unique names, each trend has its counter and among all the modern, quirkier choices, 'normcore' is having a quiet revival, speeding up the re-popularity of the 'dad name' in the charts." She noted that a new generation of parents is now choosing these "familiar, steady, and nostalgic" monikers over ultra-modern styles, favouring simplicity and a sense of timelessness.
The Powerful 'Taylor Swift Effect' & TV Inspiration
Pop culture's influence on baby naming has never been more potent or faster-moving. The songwriting of global superstar Taylor Swift is predicted to drive a major revival of the name Ophelia in 2026, despite it not making this year's Top 100. Commenting on this 'Taylor Swift effect', SJ Strum said: "Ophelia is fascinating. Pop culture is so influential that Swift's cultural moment will almost certainly give it a bounce back next year."
Meanwhile, the finale of the hit sci-fi series Stranger Things has cemented its impact, with character names like Max, El (short for Eleven), and Lucas providing direct inspiration for modern parents. Faye Mingo, Chief Growth Officer for BabyCentre, summarised the trend: "Our 2025 data shows just how quickly naming styles are evolving... Whether it's the Taylor Swift effect boosting interest in names like Ophelia, or big TV moments such as the Stranger Things finale sparking conversations, modern parents are more influenced by cultural moments than ever before."
Rising Stars & Fast-Fashion Names
The 2025 list also highlights names experiencing meteoric rises and dramatic falls, underscoring the concept of 'fast-fashion baby names' that peak and fade with speed. For girls, Eliana soared 33 places, while Maeve and Ruby both jumped 26 spots. For boys, Caleb rose 33 places and Jesse climbed 24.
Conversely, some previously popular choices have seen sharp declines or dropped out of the top 100 altogether. Once-favourites like Frankie, Amelie and Summer have vanished from the list, while Luna, Nova, Thea and Delilah have all fallen. Names like Amara, Elodie, and Gracie experienced some of the most significant drops for girls.
This rapid churn emphasises how some names quickly feel dated, while others transition from trendy to timeless. The name Harper, boosted by the Beckhams in 2011, is now seen as a modern classic rather than a passing fad. "Having a fast-fashion name will become iconic of the time you were born," said Strum, "so honestly, I'm embracing this revolving door era of baby names."
The full Top 100 lists for 2025 are as follows, with figures in brackets indicating the change in rank from the previous year.
Top 10 Girls' Names 2025:
1. Amelia (+1)
2. Olivia (-1)
3. Lily (0)
4. Ivy (+5)
5. Eliana (+33)
6. Elsie (+8)
7. Freya (+1)
8. Poppy (+16)
9. Ava (-4)
10. Mia (+1)
Top 10 Boys' Names 2025:
1. Muhammad (0)
2. Noah (0)
3. Leo (+1)
4. Theo (-1)
5. Luca (+3)
6. Oliver (-1)
7. Ethan (+4)
8. Eli (+12)
9. Arthur (-3)
10. George (-3)
The data confirms that baby names in the UK have become a dynamic and expressive reflection of the current cultural moment, blending deep nostalgia with instantaneous reactions to global entertainment.
