The latest top baby names list has some surprise contenders

UK website Babycentre has released details of the year’s most popular baby names. This list is dotted with old favourites, but also boasts some new entries and influences.

Familiar faves and new contenders

The site has unveiled the top 20 boys and girls names for the year to date, a sort of half-time score check, if you will. They’ve also noted some interesting and continuing trends when it comes to naming bubs.

For instance, the names Freya and Jaxon were some of the speediest movers up the ranks, as were Lily and Isabella.

The popularity of Game of Thrones influenced names persists, Babycentre says, with Maisie (Williams, who played Arya) and Emilia (Clarke, the actor behind Daenerys) performing strongly and Tyrion and Theon rising up the charts too.

Old school name resurgence

Apparently lots of parents are dusting off names that were popular in the ’80s – or earlier – with names like Michael, Jason, John, David, Jane, Penny and Emma having a resurgence.

It’s suggested that the turmoil surrounding Brexit and Britain’s top job might be sparking this more traditional trend.

Celebrity inspired names are still proving a hit with Cara (Delevigne), Joe, Jonas, Ryan (Gosling/Reynolds) and Idris (Elba) ranking well.

Names with links to the natural world are also on the rise. Ivy, Willow, Lily, Robyn, Raven and Sage are all increasing in popularity.

For boys, names with an ‘ie’ ending are doing very well. Think monikers like Charlie, Freddie, Archie and Alfie.

And speaking of Archie, names with royal links are holding steady in popularity. Charlotte, Grace, George, Harry, and Henry all popped up in the top rankings.

Here’s the full list of the UK’s favourite names of 2019 … so far!

Top 20 names for girls

1. Olivia
2. Sophia
3. Lily
4. Ava
5. Mia
6. Isla
7. Amelia
8. Freya
9. Isabella
10. Emily
11. Aria
12. Evie
13. Grace
14. Isabelle
15. Ella
16. Ivy
17. Sophie
18. Willow
19. Charlotte
20. Elsie

Top 20 names for boys

1. Muhammad
2. Noah
3. George
4. Oliver
5. Charlie
6. Harry
7. Leo
8. Arthur
9. Jack
10. Freddie
11. Jaxon
12. Ethan
13. Jacob
14. Theo
15. Oscar
16. Alfie
17. Henry
18. Archie
19. Joshua
20. Thomas