US vs UK Baby Names: How Do They Compare?

Updated Sat Dec 07 2024

US vs UK Baby Names: How Do They Compare?

How do the most popular British names compare to American parents' top choices?

Looking at the top baby names in England and the US in 2023, we're slightly more divided than united. In the Top 10, four names for each sex (Olivia, Amelia, Isabella, and Ava; Noah, Oliver, Theodore, and Henry) are on the list for both countries.

The bigger picture is similar. England the US share just under half of their Top 100 baby names (46 girls and 41 boys), meaning that over 50% of our favorite names are different.

Interestingly, ten years ago just over half of our Top 100 names were shared. Are we seeing a shift towards more distinctive national naming cultures?

Maybe, but name trends also continue to travel both ways across the Atlantic. Some of the fastest-climbing names in England and Wales — like Hazel and Evelyn, Asher and Mateo — take their cue from the States. Similarly, British favorites like Freya, Poppy, Arlo and Rory are gaining ground with American parents.

So how can this help you choose a baby name?

If you're looking for something that's universally liked, you may want to choose a name that's in the Top 100 in both the US and the UK. Or, if you want your child's name to stand out and feel fresh where you live, you might prefer something that's more popular across the Pond.

Read on for our analysis of the Top 100 baby names in the USA versus the UK.

Names popular in the UK and US

If you're looking for a name that's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic, all of these are great options. They include something for all popular tastes, from classics like Thomas and Emily, to recent favorites like Kai and Maeve.

Names in the US Top 100 only

Distinctively American names in the Top 100 include last names as first names for both sexes, and a hefty dose of the Wild West for boys, in names such as Wyatt and Colton. There is a strong trend for three-syllable girl names with the stress on the first syllable, such as Avery, Caroline, and Madison.

The US Top 100 includes plenty of Spanish names popular with the Latinx community, such as Elena and Gael.

Several names currently popular for American children are more dated in the UK. For instance, Claire and Natalie, Ian and Anthony, are more likely to be British parents or grandparents than babies today.

The names below are in the Top 100 in the US, but not the UK.

Names in the England and Wales Top 100 only

If you know anything about British name trends, it won't surprise you that the England and Wales contains plenty of diminutives — such as Millie, Evie, Freddie and Ronnie — as well as word names that sound like nicknames, such as Bonnie and Sonny.

Distinctively British vintage revivals include Florence and Mabel, Alfred and Jasper. And while we sometimes think of surnames as an American trend, several last names only appear in the British Top 100, like Brody and Harrison.

The British list includes names borrowed from Ireland, like Orla and Finn, and many Arabic names that are popular among the country's Muslim population.

Just as with the American data, several names here have very different generational vibes in the two countries. For example, Nancy and Jesse are popular choices for British babies, yet belong to older generations in the US — Nancy in particular is nowhere near a comeback Stateside. And even many Brits can't believe that Jessica is still so popular here.

The following names are in the Top 100 in England and Wales, but not the US:

So are British and American tastes really that different?

Despite the differences above, there are many names on both lists that feel like two sides of the same coin. Americans like Miles, Brits like Myles. Americans prefer Autumn, Brits like Summer best. For biblical names, Levi and Lydia are more popular in the States, while Reuben and Phoebe rank higher in Britain. For long names, Americans like Eliana and Valentina, while Brits prefer Arabella and Ophelia. Riley is more popular for girls in the States, and for boys in the UK.

So despite sharing only half our Top 100 baby names, maybe we're more united than we might think.

About the Author

Clare Green

Clare Green has been writing for Nameberry since 2015, covering everything from names peaking right now to feminist baby names, and keeping up-to-date with international baby name rankings. Her work has featured in publications such as The Independent and HuffPost. Clare has a background in linguistics and librarianship, and recently completed an MA dissertation researching names in multilingual families. She lives in England with her husband and son. You can reach her at clare@nameberry.com

View all of Clare Green's articles