Top baby names in England and Wales revealed: Is your name in or out of fashion?

Oliver and Olivia have been crowned the most popular baby names in England and Wales with Olivia ending Amelia's five-year reign at top spot for girls. Oliver remained as the most popular first name given to baby boys in 2016 and has been the most popular boys' name since 2013.

These two names were not, however, universally top choice. Olivia was the most popular name for baby girls in five out of the nine English regions in 2016, while Oliver was top in six.

<!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}-->Muhammad was the top boys' name in London and the West Midlands while Harry was top in the North East for boys. Amelia clung on to top spot for girls in the four regions where Olivia wasn't in first place.

There was relatively little movement in the top 10 spots for both boys and girls. Lily replaced Poppy in the top 10 girls’ names for England and Wales in 2016, compared with 2015. Muhammad replaced William in the top 10 boys’ names for England and Wales in 2016, compared with 2015.

The statistics are derived  from the names as they appear on the birth certificate of the child and, as such, don't factor in differing or similar pronunciations. Grouping names with similar pronunciation would change the rankings.

Nick Stripe of the Office for National Statistics said: "With over 696,000 babies born in England and Wales in 2016, and nearly 64,000 different names chosen for them, it's interesting how relatively stable the top 10 names have been over recent years.

"Olivia replaced Amelia as the most popular name for girls in 2016, returning to the top position it previously held between 2008 and 2010. Oliver remained the most popular name for baby boys born in 2016, having held the top spot since 2013.

"It is as you move down the rankings that you begin to notice social and cultural changes being reflected in name choices. Harper was the girls’ name in the top 100 in 2016 with the biggest rise in popularity over the previous 10 years, whilst for boys it was Jaxon.”

Which names entered the top 100 this year?

There were six new entries into the top 100 most popular boys’ names in 2016 for England and Wales: Albie, Arlo, Ezra, Finn, Jasper and Jesse. These replaced Callum, Connor, Jamie, Kian, Seth and Sonny, which were in the top 100 in 2015.

There were four new entries in the top 100 most popular girls’ names in 2016 in England and Wales: Felicity, Iris, Luna and Lydia. These replaced Bethany, Hollie, Katie and Lacey.

The influence of popular culture continues to seemingly provide inspiration for new parents. Perhaps in honour of Game of Thrones, there were 302 Aryas in 2016, up from 280 in 2015.

Zayn - a name shared by a member of One Direction - also rose up the popularity stakes with 296 boys given the name in 2016 compared with 255 the year before.