The official list of the most popular baby names in England and Wales for 2019 has finally been released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today.
There’s some familiar favourites and some new additions to the list of most popular names this year as parents opted to keep both Oliver and Olivia in the number one spots once again.
Oliver has been the top boys’ name since 2013, while Olivia has been the top girls’ name since 2016.
Whilst there was no new entrants to the top 10 list of boys names for 2019, Freya and Lily replaced Emily and Ella in the top 10 girls’ names, and Lara and Mabel replaced Aisha and Francesca in the top 100, with Mabel not being in the top 100 since 1924.
Alfred, Chester, Hudson, Ibrahim and Oakley entered the 2019 top 100 boys’ names, replacing Alex, Dexter, Dominic, Kai, Sonny and Tobias.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shortened versions / ‘nickname names’ of traditional boys’ names also featured in half of the top 10 boys’ names chosen by mothers aged under 25 years in 2019, compared with just one name chosen by mothers aged 35 years and over.
Unsplash
David Corps at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said: “Oliver and Olivia continued their reign as the top boys’ and girls’ names in 2019, but analysis shows choices in baby names can differ depending on the mother’s age.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We found younger mothers opted for more modern girls’ names like Harper, which has seen a rise since the Beckhams named their daughter so in 2011, and shortened boys’ names like Freddie.
“In contrast, older mothers chose more traditional names such as Jack and Charlotte.
“Popular culture continues to influence the baby names landscape. Following Dua Lipa’s first UK number one single in 2017, the number of girls named Dua has doubled from 63 to 126 in 2019.”
ADVERTISEMENT
___
Top 20 Most Popular Baby Names 2019
Girls
Olivia
2. Amelia
3. Isla
4. Ava
5. Mia
ADVERTISEMENT
6. Isabella
7. Sophia
8. Grace
9. Lily
10. Freya
ADVERTISEMENT
11. Emily
12. Ivy
13. Ella
14. Rosie
15. (joint) Evie & Florence
ADVERTISEMENT
17. Poppy
18. Charlotte
19. Willow
20. Everly
Boys
1. Oliver
ADVERTISEMENT
2. George
3. Noah
4. Arthur
5. Harry
6. Leo
ADVERTISEMENT
7. Muhammad
8. Jack
9. Charlie
10. Oscar
11. Jacob
ADVERTISEMENT
12. Henry
13. Thomas
14. Freddie
15. Alfie
16. Theo
ADVERTISEMENT
17. William
18. Theodore
19. Archie
20. Joshua
___
For the full list of most popular baby names in England and Wales for 2019 and for more information, visit the Office for National Statistics (ONS) website here.
Trending
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers
Emily Sergeant
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ for autistic and neurodiverse customers shopping in its stores across the UK.
Supermarket shopping isn’t always the most pleasant or manageable of experiences for everyone, especially for those who are autistic or neurodivergent – with bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, and crowds of people making it a rather overwhelming and overstimulating atmosphere.
This is why Morrisons has decided to collaborate with the National Autistic Society to introduce dedicated ‘Sensory Support Boxes’ at its stores nationwide, as a way to both mark World Autism Acceptance Month, and help autistic and neurodivergent customers have the positive shopping experience they deserve.
These boxes have been carefully-developed in consultation with the National Autistic Society to ensure they include the most helpful items.
A range of toys like fidget balls, spinners, and squish mats can all be found inside the boxes – which will be eventually be available in all 500 Morrisons supermarkets by May – to help encourage calmness and focus.
All that customers wishing to access the items need to do is simply speak to a colleague at the customer service kiosk of their local Morrisons store.
More than one in 100 people are autistic, and there are 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.
Morrisons is introducing ‘sensory support boxes’ in stores for autistic and neurodiverse customers / Credit: Morrisons
Speaking on the decision to introduce the Sensory Support Boxes into UK stores, Joseph Clark-Bland, who is the Community Manager at Morrisons, said: “It’s a priority for us to ensure all Morrisons customers feel welcomed and understood.
“We’re proud to be leading the way in creating a more inclusive shopping environment for autistic people, their families and all neurodivergent people across the UK.
“World Autism Acceptance Month has been a key moment for Morrisons for many years, and we look forward to supporting even more customers via our new Sensory Boxes.”
The introduction of the Sensory Support Boxes comes after Morrisons first trialled a ‘Quieter Hour’ in some of its stores back in 2018, before rolling it out nationwide in 2024 due to its success and positive feedback.
Featured Image – Morrisons
Trending
Greater Manchester cinemas to screen family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films, and some new releases, all throughout this upcoming spring holidays.
The best bit? Prices start from a massively-affordable £2.50 a ticket.
With Easter right around the corner, and schools across Greater Manchester set to be on their spring holidays in a couple of weeks time, parents and carers will likely be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained while schools are out.
But now it’s time to take care of those film lovers… and also those keen to plan budget-friendly events that also take into account the classic Manchester April showers.
Cinema chain Vue has announced its lineup of family blockbusters showing at venues across Greater Manchester this spring – including Printworks, Lowry, Bolton, Altrincham, and Bury.
Arriving in time for the school holidays, A Minecraft Movie welcomes fans to their favourite cubic wonderland, while the whole family can instead transport themselves into Disney’s reimagining of the 1937 classic Snow White if they’d prefer.
Also returning to the big screen are childhood classics like Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were-Rabbit, 20 years after its original release, and the beloved Babe, to celebrate the film’s 30th anniversary.
Greater Manchester cinemas will be screening family-favourite films for just £2.50 this spring / Credit: Disney | Aardman Animations
And as part of Vue’s ‘Mighty Mornings’ offering, film fans can enjoy pre-releases of family-friendly flicks like Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Moana 2 every day throughout half term, all from just £2.49 per ticket when booked online.
“A trip to Vue this Easter break is the perfect opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the magic of their favourite big screen characters,” commented Rob Lea, who is the Head of Screen Content at Vue UK & Ireland.
Emily Sergeant -
26th August 2020 
