Baby names are getting more DIVERSE: Experts reveal the top names in the UK over the last 20 years - as parents pull inspiration from around the world
When it comes to choosing a baby name, there are endless options.
Some parents might opt for a traditional 'Jack', while others may go for more multicultural names such as 'Arlo' or 'Luca'.
Now, research has revealed how baby names in Britain have become more culturally and linguistically diverse over the last 20 years.
Analysis of the top baby names from 2004, 2014 and 2024 found today's most popular baby names come from a much wider range of countries and languages than they used to.
The favourite baby names at the turn of the millennium were predominantly of English, Hebrew and Latin origin.
Now, two decades later, Italian, Arabic, Norse, and even Scottish-Spanish names also top the list.
Experts say parents now have a much broader frame of reference, and that there's a 'real shift' away from traditional choices.
So, do you have one of these more multicultural names?
Love Island star Luca Bish has a name with Italian origins. In 2024, it was the seventh most popular name for newborn baby boys
Analysis, carried out by English language classes platform Preply, showed the majority of the most popular names in 2004 were of English, Hebrew or Latin origin.
These included Jack, Joshua, Daniel, Emily and Jessica.
Other popular names from that era were of Greek, Germanic and Celtic origin.
But fast-forward to 2024 and a range of other cultural names are also in the top 20 list.
These include Isla, which is Scottish/Spanish, Luca, which is Italian, Freya, which is Norse, and Muhammad, which is Arabic.
'As a nation, we're much more exposed to and connected with other cultures than we've ever been,' a spokeswoman for Preply said.
'The media we consume, the communities we engage with online, and global migration, have all played a key role in this shift.
'Parents now have a much broader frame of reference.
The top baby names in the UK in 2004, 2014, and 2024
Top boy names
2004
Jack - English
Joshua - Hebrew
Thomas - Aramaic
James - Hebrew
Daniel - Hebrew
Samuel - Hebrew
Oliver - Latin/French
William - Germanic
Benjamin - Hebrew
Joseph - Hebrew
2014
Oliver - Latin/French
Jack - English
Harry - English
Jacob - Hebrew
Charlie - English
Thomas - Aramaic
George - Greek
Oscar - Irish/Old Norse
James - Hebrew
William - Germanic
2024
Muhammad - Arabic
Noah - Hebrew
Oliver - Latin
George - Greek
Leo - Latin
Arthur - Celtic
Luca - Italian
Theodore - Greek
Oscar - Irish
Henry - Germanic
Top girl names
2004
Emily - Latin
Ellie - English/Greek
Jessica - Hebrew
Sophie - Greek
Chloe - Greek
Olivia - Latin
Lucy - Latin
Charlotte - French
Katie - English/Greek
Megan - Welsh
2014
Amelia - Latin/Germanic
Olivia - Latin
Isla - Scottish/Spanish
Emily - Latin
Poppy - English
Ava - Latin/Germanic
Isabella - Hebrew/Spanish/Italian
Jessica - Hebrew
Lily - English
Sophie - Greek
2024
Olivia - Latin
Amelia - Latin/Germanic
Isla - Scottish/Spanish
Lily - English
Freya - Norse
Ava - Latin/Germanic
Ivy - English
Florence - Latin
Willow - English
Isabella - Italian/Spanish
'Now that we're familiar with more cross-cultural names, they feel modern, accessible, and stylish.
'Most of these names aren't necessarily new, they're just new to us!'
They said names of Scandinavian and French origin, such as Evelyn and Mia, have begun making an appearance in the UK's top names lists, which they didn't in 2014 or 2004.
'This reflects a growing cultural diversity and openness to global influences in baby naming trends,' they added.
'We're also seeing a growing number of names with mythological or historical roots, like Phoebe and Ivy, being embraced by parents today.
'Overall, there's a real shift away from traditional choices in favour of names that feel unique and memorable.'
The findings show that, as a nation, we're becoming more multicultural and linguistically diverse.
'Today, names of Arabic, Norse, Spanish, and Italian origin appear frequently in the top 20, names that didn't appear at all just 20 years ago,' the expert said.
'A key contributor is our desire for uniqueness.
'Rather than sticking with conventional name choices, we're selecting ones that feel more globally relevant.'
'Additionally, it demonstrates that we're being influenced by pop culture.
'The likes of celebrities, football stars, and even social media influencers are swaying our baby naming choices, often without us even realising.
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