Most popular baby names in each Surrey area in new ONS list

The names given to babies across Surrey in the past year reveal some fascinating trends and regional variations. Data just released by the Office for National Statistics shows most popular baby names split out by different areas of the county.

From traditional picks like Oscar and Olivia to more unique monikers, the names Surrey parents chose for their bundles of joy are varied.

Whether you're an expectant parent looking for inspiration or just someone curious about what names are currently in vogue, here's the most popular name per Surrey area.

A baby name expert from Surrey has has explain why some have fallen out of favour. SJ Strum, 43, is a professional baby name consultant and has given her take on the baby name lists for the UK.

The mum-of-three says the 2022 data shows we're going through a "baby name boom" where parents ditch traditional names. Instead they are choosing more unique names - or making up their own - and this could be a reflection of parents "no longer raising children as ‘mini me's'".

Harry has dropped out out of the top ten - likely a reflection of the prince leaving the UK, she says - and his son's name, Archie, is no longer high-ranking either. For girls, she said the traditional British names such as Daisy, Alice, Isabelle, Imogen and Sophie have gone down.

But "outdoorsy nature word names" are rising in popularity - including Meadow, Flora, Winter, River and Skye - showing parents are being more creative.

SJ from Richmond, Surrey, said: "Parents want to find a name with unique personality that reflects their own style, passions and interests and will allow their child to stand out as they move through life.

"We no longer raise our children as ‘mini me's'. Modern parents are throwing out the traditional name rule book and seeking a name that is meaningful, evokes their own style and feels uniquely theirs."

Speaking about the rise of Meadow, Flora, Winter, River and Skye, SJ said: "They evoke a freedom and outdoorsy lifestyle that modern parents want when raising children in a tech-heavy world. Back to a playful and wholesome childhood."

She said celestial names such as Lyra, Aurora, Ayla and Nova are also "a stand-out trend" - reflecting the recent "fashion for spiritual development". She said: "We look to the stars and encourage our girls to reach to them."

She said "upcycled dad names" are top movers for the boys in this set of data - a selection of modern twists on traditional names.

Examples include Luca, a variation of Luke, Hudson, a modernisation of Harry, Otis to replace Chris, Axel replacing Alex and Elias, a variation of Elliot. SJ said: "These variations show a more playful and gentle way of raising our boys that is still timeless."

Across the board, 'O' names are still the most popular - with Ottilie, Ophelia, Oakley and Otis all trending in the top 100. Classic titles still claim some of the top spots - such as Olivia and Amelia for girls, and Noah and Oliver for boys.

But SJ said as you look at new and emerging trends, parents are more often "searching away from the A-Z Lists these days". She said this will create "a much more eclectic and spirited group of names for the next generation".

Across the South East more generally, George and Olivia are the most popular names for newborn babies.

There were a total of 595 baby girls given the name Olivia in 2022, according to the new figures from the Office for National Statistics. Isla was the next most popular girl’s name, with 501 newborns. That’s followed by Amelia with 466, Lily with 399, and Florence with 380.

George is the most popular name for newborn boys, with 716 babies receiving that name in 2022. Noah is the next most popular name for boys with 672, followed by Oliver with 647, Arthur with 638, and Leo with 591.

Olivia is also the most popular name for newborn girls in England and Wales, but unlike in our region, the nation’s most popular name for baby boys is Noah.

There were 4,586 baby boys given the name Noah in 2022, and 3,289 girls given the name Olivia. Muhammad was the second most popular name for boys (4,177), followed by George (3,699). Amelia was the second most popular name for girls (2,884), followed by Isla (2,613).

You see how different names have changed in popularity over the years by using our interactive chart:

Noah is the top boy’s name in four regions of the country - the North East, the East Midlands, the East of England, and Wales.

Muhammad, meanwhile, is top in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, and London.
George tops the list in the South East, while in the South West it’s Arthur.

Olivia is the top girl’s name in every region of the country except London where it’s Amelia. Amelia is second in every region with the exceptions of London (Olivia), the South East (Isla), the South West (Florence) and Wales (Isla).

Top 10 girls names 2022
1. Olivia: 3,289
2. Amelia: 2,884
3. Isla: 2,613
4. Ava: 2,293
5. Lily: 2,281
6. Ivy: 2,195
7. Freya: 2,162
8. Florence: 1,971
9. Isabella: 1,927
10. Mia: 1,868

Top 10 boys names 2022
1. Noah: 4,586
2. Muhammad: 4,177
3. George: 3,699
4. Oliver: 3,691
5. Leo: 3,610
6. Arthur: 3,603
7. Oscar: 2,883
8. Theodore: 2,835
9. Theo: 2,808
10. Freddie: 2,760

Top 10 boys names in the South East
1. George: 716
2. Noah: 672
3. Oliver: 647
4. Arthur: 638
5. Leo: 591
6. Oscar: 581
7. Theodore: 558
8. Henry: 520
9. Freddie: 474
10. Jack: 461

Top 10 girls names in the South East
1. Olivia: 595
2. Isla: 501
3. Amelia: 466
4. Lily: 399
5. Florence: 380
6. Sienna: 377
7. Ava: 369
8. Freya: 362
9. Ivy: 353
10. Isabella: 344