NOAH has knocked Jack off the top spot after 14 years and Olivia maintains her two-year unbeaten run as the most popular baby names in Scotland have been revealed.
Data from the National Records of Scotland (NRS) shows Noah has become the most popular baby boy name in Scotland. 373 baby boys were called the biblical name in 2022.
Olivia remained the most popular name for girls for the second year in a row, with 309 children given that name, meaning it has held the top spot in six of the previous seven years.
READ MORE: Tory energy plan lacks detail for ‘continually snubbed’ Acorn Project, says Flynn
Popular culture also appears to be having a bigger impact on what parents name their babies, with the NRS suggesting reality show Love Island has fuelled a rise in the name Luca.
NRS statistician Daniel Burns said: “Luca has climbed 20 places to land in fifth place for boys, moving into the top 10 for the first time, possibly given a boost by Luca Bish appearing on Love Island.”
Jack was close behind Noah as the second most popular name for boys in 2022, with Leo, Harris and Luca making up the top five.
Among baby girls, Isla was the second most popular choice, followed by Freya, Millie and Emily.
Teddy, Parker, Hudson and Theodore were the fastest rising boys names between 2021 and 2022, while for girls it was Nova, Nina, Maeva and Annie.
For boys with mothers aged under 30, Noah was the most popular name, while Jack was the most popular with mothers aged 30-34.
Noah once again came out top with mothers aged over 35.
For girls, Millie was the most popular name with mothers under the age of 25; Freya with those aged 25-29; Isla for mothers aged 30 to 34; and Sophie was the most popular choice for women over 35.
Burns said: “A relative flood of Noahs in the last four years has seen the name leap from eighth to first.
“There are now so many more names in use, as parents aim for something more unusual, that it takes far fewer babies to share a name for it to be high up in the charts.
“Back in the 70s when David was the most popular name, there were upwards of 1,700 babies a year with the top boys name. Since then fertility has declined, meaning there are fewer births, but with more names in use Noah can claim the top spot with 373 baby boys given the name in 2022.
“The name Maeve has been used in a couple of different TV shows and has grown in popularity over the past few years. Names seen on Love Island, such as Luca, Millie, Arabella and Kai have all increased since appearing on screen. Other names apparently influenced by celebrities include Lando, Tilly, Matilda and Dua.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel