Find out the most popular baby names in your region - and the favourite in both the North and South

Virgin Radio

10 Feb 2022, 15:02

When picking out a newborn’s name, you might check out this handy tool first. 

While we know from the annual list that came out last year had both Olivia and Oliver landed at the top of the name charts yet again, but did you know that just because they were the favourite names overall, they weren’t always the favourites in different parts of the country. 

The Office of National Statistics (or ONS) tally up all that information every year, but they also have a nifty tool that helps you find out which moniker is the most popular in your area. 

The handy widget automatically compares the name you’re looking for with the top choices - so Olivia and Oliver. 

According to that ONS site, while Olivia was the most popular name for a girl, it turns out in the West Midlands and London, Amelia was the top choice instead. 

Interestingly, as reported by The Mirror, more than one-third of local authorities across England and Wales had at least one top girls’ name that didn’t make the top 10 overall. 

So for the name Maryam, which only came in at 86th in England and Wales, it was the top girls’ name in Blackburn and popular in places likes Luton and Tower Hamlets. 

While Oliver is the most common newborn name yet again,  according to the regional breakdown, it only came out on the top of the list in the North East. 

Noah landed in fourth place overall, but is actually the most popular boys name in Wales. 

If you’re a data nerd and want to check out your offspring’s name to see how it compares - check out the site here.