Choosing a name for a newborn is always tricky. It's such a big responsibility and you don't want to get it wrong, but everyone wants their child to stand out from the crowd.
So what do you pick? Some names endure the test of time and have seen a revival in recents years like Harry and Charlotte.
New analysis of ONS (Office for National Statistics) baby name data by leading name label manufacturer, My Nametags, reveals the UK’s ‘children’s name capitals’. The areas of the country where you are most likely to encounter a child with a certain name.
The name data was collected from the last 20 years across all 12 regions in the UK
For Scotland, according to the figures, you are most likely to meet a Lewis or Sophie as the highest number of children with those names live in Scotland.
Although Jack has been one of the most popular boys name for many years, it is the North-East where you are most likely to find one. For girls, it’s Emily. You are also more likely to encounter an Alexander or Isabella in London than anywhere else in the country.
Here we look at the data for the rest of the country. So if you need some inspiration read on.
SOUTH WEST
Oliver has topped the charts as one of the UK’s most popular boys name for some years. However, there is a higher concentration of them born in the South West than anywhere else in the UK. You are also more likely to find an Amelia in the region than anywhere else in the country.
SOUTH EAST
The names William and Charlotte top the charts in the South East.
LONDON
You are most likely to find an Alexander or an Isabella in the nation’s capital.
EAST OF ENGLAND
Parents across East Anglia are more likely to name their child either Harry or Holly than families elsewhere in the UK.
EAST MIDLANDS
You are most likely to meet an Oscar or an Isla in the East Midlands than anywhere else in the UK.
WEST MIDLANDS
The West Midlands has the highest concentration of Mohammeds in the UK. For girls, it’s Maisie that appears more frequently in the region than anywhere else.
WALES
Wales has the highest density of children named Dylan and Megan.
NORTH WEST
Olivia has topped the charts as the most popular baby girls name for a few years now but the North West has the highest concentration of Olivias in the UK. Thomas is also preferred by more parents in the North West than in any other region.
NORTH EAST
Jack has ranked highly in the baby name charts for decades, but it’s in the North East where you are most likely to find a child named Jack. For girls, it’s Emily.
YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER
You are most likely to come across a child named Charlie or Evie in Yorkshire and the Humber.
SCOTLAND
Scotland has the highest density of boys named Lewis and girls named Sophie.
NORTHERN IRELAND
In Northern Ireland, parents prefer to name their child either James or Grace.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
