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The most popular names of the last 20 years have been revealed – did yours make the list?

Some names on the top 50 list are so classic, they've remained popular for the last two decades - but there's also a few curveballs that've snuck into the top ten too.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 14th September 2021

The most popular baby names of the last 20 years have been revealed.

Picking a name for your newborn bundle of joy that will see them through life is no doubt an important and tricky task, but data recently released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) between 1996 to 2019 shows that some names have really stood the test of time.

Some names on the top 50 list are so classic, they’ve remained popular for the last two decades – but there’s also a few curveballs that’ve snuck into the top ten too.

Emily and Jack took the crown as the most popular names of the last 20 years.

Olivia has proved to be a popular name, topping the charts for girls’ names since 2016, but Emily took the title over the last two decades as it’s featured in the top five every year between 1996 and 2018, and spent several years in the number one spot.

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Jessica, Sophie, and Chloe round out the top five spots for girls, and for boys, Jack, Thomas, Harry, Oliver, and Joshua top the charts.

Top 50 Names of the Last 20 Years

Girls

  1. Emily
  2. Olivia
  3. Jessica
  4. Sophie
  5. Chloe
  6. Charlotte
  7. Grace
  8. Amelia
  9. Ella
  10. Lucy
  11. Lily
  12. Mia
  13. Ellie
  14. Hannah
  15. Holly
  16. Alice
  17. Isabella
  18. Phoebe
  19. Molly
  20. Daisy
  21. Emma
  22. Abigail
  23. Ruby
  24. Megan
  25. Elizabeth
  26. Isabelle
  27. Georgia
  28. Millie
  29. Poppy
  30. Freya
  31. Eleanor
  32. Jasmine
  33. Sophia
  34. Erin
  35. Imogen
  36. Amber
  37. Rosie
  38. Katie
  39. Leah
  40. Amy
  41. Anna
  42. Maisie
  43. Bethany
  44. Evie
  45. Harriet
  46. Sarah
  47. Zoe
  48. Rebecca
  49. Paige
  50. Scarlett
Some names on the top 50 list are so classic that they’ve remained popular for the last two decades / Credit: Flickr

Boys

  1. Jack
  2. Thomas
  3. Harry
  4. Oliver
  5. Joshua
  6. James
  7. William
  8. George
  9. Daniel
  10. Samuel
  11. Joseph
  12. Charlie
  13. Jacob
  14. Benjamin
  15. Alexander
  16. Mohammed
  17. Ethan
  18. Adam
  19. Alfie
  20. Jake
  21. Matthew
  22. Max
  23. Dylan
  24. Luke
  25. Henry
  26. Lewis
  27. Ryan
  28. Edward
  29. Liam
  30. Muhammad
  31. Harrison
  32. Michael
  33. Oscar
  34. Callum
  35. Nathan
  36. Isaac
  37. Archie
  38. Tyler
  39. David
  40. Connor
  41. Jamie
  42. Harvey
  43. Charles
  44. Lucas
  45. Toby
  46. Louis
  47. Aaron
  48. Alex
  49. Mason
  50. Noah

Name expert Pamela Redmond Satran says some names will always be popular, and therefore rarely fall out of favour.

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Speaking to The Sun, Pamela said: “With boy names especially, you see some of the classics holding steady over the whole generation, a trend you’d see if you stretched the chart back a hundred years.

“Names like Thomas, James, William, and Daniel are never really in or out of style [and] they command a top place on baby name popularity lists generation after generation.

“You see more movement with girls’ names, even the classics you might think would be immune to fashion swings.

“Elizabeth barely sneaks onto the top 25 and Sarah has nearly fallen off the top 50.”

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How to look after your cats and dogs this Bonfire Night

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Tips for cats and dogs Bonfire Night 2024

Bonfire Night may be a blessing for some families who can take advantage of the beautifully lit sky and incredible views, but for those who own cats or dogs, this isn’t necessarily the case.

When it comes to your furry friends then simply turning to their owners is usually the best point of call, but sometimes it’s still good to have a quick refresher on how to spot when your pet is in distress.

Luxury clothing retailer, Joules, is one of those leading research this year as they provide a list of tips and tricks on how to notice a change in your dog’s behaviour, soothe your cat’s stress and just generally make things more manageable for your four-legged companions.

72% of cat and dog owners see a change in their pets’ behaviour over this season, with 68% saying that they are frightened by the loud noises. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips on how to take care of your cats and dogs this Bonfire Night.

How to create a safe space for pets on Bonfire Night

Cover your windows where possible

Closing the curtains is always a good start; although this may not reduce the noise fully, it will help to block out the flashes from those pesky fireworks and even dial those big bangs down slightly.

In order to combat sudden light changes, dog owners are advised to keep their lights on, this way the animals are used to this setting and there are no drastic differences.

Try to block out the noise with your own

Radio station Classic FM hosts their calming show on Bonfire Night every year and 2024 seems no different with Charlotte Hawkins and Dan Walker curating a pet-friendly playlist for all to enjoy.

I mean, come on, how lovely is this?

Keep them occupied

The simplest thing you can do is just make sure you’re there for your animals; much like us humans, they don’t like to deal with things on their own and sometimes it’s nice to have a helping hand by their side for reassurance – especially when that includes some always welcome petting.

It’s also good to keep their minds occupied by playing games and interactive activities with them to distract their cute little faces from all the madness outside.

Stay calm yourself

It might sound a little self-involved but it’s also important that alongside keeping your dogs and cats company and playing with them, make sure to keep calm yourself, much like your children and little ones you know, dogs are very reactive and can pick up on emotions easily.

As much as this information may be handy, you still know your pet best, so reacting to their behaviour and catering to their needs is definitely a must.

There are also some easy ways to spot something’s up…

how to look after cats fireworks
Joules worked with animal behaviourist Kimberly Grundy to help develop these helpful Bonfire Night tips cats and dogs.
how to keep dogs calm on guy fawkes night
They are one of many retailers that stock comforting cushions and blankets that are perfect for these occasions.

Read more:

Nine signs to be aware of:

The best way to spot any changes in your dog or cat’s behaviour is to look for these nine surefire signs – if you spot them, they’re most likely feeling unsettled by the celebrations.

  1. Whining or barking – this will include whimpering, crying, barking, and growling.
  2. Clinginess – i.e. more than normal.
  3. Excessive panting or drooling – can signal anxiety and distress instead of the usual excitement.
  4. Hiding or trying to find a safe space
  5. Trying to escape – make sure your doors and windows are locked and dog/cat flaps are covered.
  6. Trembling and shaking – soothing strokes can still work wonders.
  7. Pacing or restlessness – if you can get them to just sit with you that’s a step in the right direction.
  8. Loss of appetite – but don’t try and force them to eat though, the goal is to help them relax.
  9. Dilated pupils

Whether you’re cosying up to your cat or dog, or venturing out to a bonfire, make sure you stay safe this November and most importantly have fun!

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Supplied/Sebastian Hietsch (via Pexels)/Jeremy Wheaton (via Flickr)/Raxpixel

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This Manchester hotel has a Bonfire Night ‘escape’ package for pets to help keep them calm

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of Manchester’s most luxurious hotels is transforming into the ultimate pet refuge again over the firework season.

Bonfire Night is loved across the UK for the spectacular firework displays and all the festive-themed activities that go along with it, but the November annual event isn’t so fun for our four-legged friends, as fireworks can be frightening to pets due to loud bangs, flashing lights, and the unpleasant strong smell of spent explosives.

With multiple bangs occurring from numerous displays too, pets are rarely able to pinpoint where the booming explosions are coming from, only making it more terrifying for them.

This is why, after becoming a huge success following its launch last year, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in the heart of the city centre has brought back its special ‘Bonfire Night Escape’ escape package, turning the already pet-friendly hotel into a firework-free sanctuary.

The hotel‘s year-round ‘PAWfect Stay’ package includes any dog staying at no extra cost, plus a pet tuckbox, a guide to the best dog-friendly places in the city, and a toy waiting for them in the room, but this fireworks season, pet owners will also get a luxury hamper including Pet Remedy’s ‘Party Season Survival Kit’

The kit comes together with a range of fast-acting products to help immediately in stressful situations such as fireworks, and includes calming spray, a plug diffuser, and some calming wipes too.

On top of that, dog owners can also take advantage of the hotel’s Music Concierge service, which allows guests to request a record player and vinyls to be placed in the room ahead of check in – with lots of classical and relaxing music records available to distract anxious pets from the noise of Bonfire Night celebrations.

Kimpton Clocktower Hotel has a Bonfire Night ‘escape’ package to help keep pets calm / Credit: Elisha Terada (via Unsplash)

The award-winning The Refuge Bar and Restaurant inside the hotel also offers a menu of carefully-curated dog treats throughout the week, as well as doggy Sunday roasts all Sunday.

David Lockhart, who is the General Manager at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, said he likes to think of the hotel as a “home-away-from-home for our guests”.

“Our top priority is making sure everyone is feeling safe and comfortable,” he added. “We can’t wait to welcome our November guests and help them care for their four-legged family members, giving them everything they need.”

Read more:

The Bonfire Night Escape package at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is available to book from Friday 1 November, subject to availability, and you can request the package via the hotel concierge or by emailing [email protected] to book.

Find out more here.

Featured Image – Jody Hartley (via Supplied)

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