Most popular baby names for 2023 so far as Sophia is knocked off top spot

The most popular baby names being chosen so far this year across the United Kingdom have been revealed by BabyCentre.

Their half-year name charts offer sneak peek at the current baby naming trends ahead of the final results at the end of the year.

On Tuesday, they revealed the top 100 baby boys’ and girls’ names of 2023 so far – and the biggest trends influencing parents.

Sophia has been pushed off the top spot by Lily – which has increased in popularity after finishing in second at the end of 2022.

Olivia, which was the most popular name for several years, is still in third place for girls' names, while Amelia and Freya finish off the top five.

Elsewhere in the girls' top 10, Mila has made its first appearance after a huge boost in popularity, climbing a staggering 31 places to finish in 10th.

Over on the boys' list, there have been no changes at all in the top five since December of 2022.

Muhammed remains a consistent favourite amongst parents, and shows no signs of falling from first position.

Non-movers Noah, Theo, Leo and Oliver also refused to budge, hanging on tightly to their second, third, fourth and fifth positions.

Arthur, on the other hand, leapt up five places, knocking last year’s popular choice, Jack, down to seventh place.

Though still high in popularity, George and Luca have fallen down two places, landing in positions nine and 10.

Celeb and royal drama gossip have appeared to wreak havoc on the name charts so far this year as Philip, Holly, Meghan and Harry tumbled down.

This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield have been embroiled in controversy over the past few months – from Queuegate, to the exposure of Philip’s affair with a younger colleague.

Although ranking highly in the charts in previous years, Holly plummeted in registrations, waving goodbye to its all too familiar place in the top 100.

Philip also dropped in popularity outside of the top 100, along with Phil, which only had one registration this year so far.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also made their mark in the media, following the release of their controversial documentary and Harry’s memoir Spare.

Harry toppled 10 places from number 13 to number 23, while Meghan and alternate spelling Megan have also dropped in registrations.

Sarah Redshaw, managing editor for BabyCentre, said: “Whether you keep up with celebrity drama or not, it’s been hard to avoid some of the latest outbreaks in the media.

"I’ve no doubt that negative press around some celeb names played a part in their fall from favour with parents this year.

“It just remains to be seen how quickly reputations turn around, or how short memories are, and whether Philip, Holly, Meghan and Harry can regain their popularity.”

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