Century-Old Names Revive as Midcentury Favorites Fade in UK 2024

New data from the Office for National Statistics show a split in naming trends in England and Wales in 2024: several centuryold names have returned to prominence while a separate set of midcentury favourites has all but disappeared. Analyses by two research teams that compared historical and current ONS lists highlight which traditional names are enjoying renewed use and which have fallen outside the modern top 100.

The Go Au Pair research compared the top 100 boys and girls names from 1904 with ONS figures for 2024 and found a strong revival among classic boys names. Oliver led the compilation of centuryold favourites with 3,492 births in 2024, followed by Arthur with 3,368 and George with 3,257. Other longestablished boys names in the upper ranks included Henry (2,360), Harry (1,765), Jack (1,711), Thomas (1,543), William (1,517), Edward (1,461) and Alexander (1,365). Among girls, Amelia ranked highest among the vintage names with 2,448 births, followed by Lily (2,185), Ivy (1,956), Florence (1,936) and Elsie (1,727).

Researchers said the resurgence appears strongest for masculine names with historical or royal associations and for names that are short and familiar. The ONS...