Top 100 Baby Girl Names 2025 Revealed: Swift Effect & Surprise Entries

The definitive list of the most popular baby girl names in the UK for 2025 has been published, charting a fascinating shift in parental tastes. The annual data, released by BabyCentre, highlights a move towards familiar 'normcore' choices, the powerful influence of pop culture, and the rapid rise and fall of 'fast-fashion' names.

The 'Normcore' Revival and Pop Culture's Pull

This year's rankings signal a notable trend towards simplicity and nostalgia. Classic, familiar names are making a quiet comeback, a movement experts are calling 'normcore'. This shift sees parents favouring straightforward, often traditional names over ultra-modern or unique creations.

BabyCentre's baby name expert, SJ Strum, commented on this development. "While there's been a huge rise in unique names, each trend has its counter," she said. "Among all the modern, quirkier choices, 'normcore' is having a quiet revival, speeding up the re-popularity of the 'dad name' in the charts."

She added that these names appeal to a new generation seeking "familiarity, simplicity and nostalgia". Alongside this, pop culture continues to exert a massive influence. The so-called 'Taylor Swift effect' is poised to make a significant impact. While the lyrical name Ophelia did not break into this year's Top 100, experts predict a strong resurgence in 2026 following its feature in Swift's songwriting.

"Ophelia is fascinating," Ms Strum explained. "Pop culture is so influential that Swift's cultural moment will almost certainly give it a bounce back next year. It's a beautiful, lyrical name with a long literary history... We're now seeing names go in and out of fashion at an unprecedented speed."

Analysing the 2025 Baby Name Charts

The top of the list sees Amelia claiming the number one spot, moving up one place to overtake Olivia, which now sits at number two. Lily holds steady in third place. The most dramatic climbers within the Top 100 include Eliana, which soared by 33 places to number 5, and Ayla and Ruby, both rising 27 places.

Conversely, some previously popular names have seen steep declines. Amara, Elodie, Gracie, and Nova each fell a dramatic 64 places. The list also welcomes several brand-new entries, reflecting diverse inspirations, including Dua, Hana, Anna, Eloise, Nana, Bump, and Bean.

Faye Mingo, Chief Growth Officer for BabyCentre, summarised the dynamic landscape. "Our 2025 data shows just how quickly naming styles are evolving," she said. "Parents today are drawing inspiration from everywhere: nostalgia, pop culture, personal meaning and even social media trends."

She highlighted that modern parents are more influenced by cultural moments than ever, whether it's a major music release or a hit TV show finale. "What’s clear is that baby names have never been more expressive, or more reflective of the moment we’re living in," Mingo concluded.

The Era of 'Fast-Fashion' Baby Names

A key discussion point this year is the concept of 'fast-fashion baby names' – those that spike in popularity rapidly but can just as quickly feel dated. This phenomenon underscores how quickly trends now cycle through the naming charts.

However, this speed can also cement a name's status. Harper, for example, which surged after being chosen by David and Victoria Beckham in 2011, is now considered a modern classic rather than a passing fad. It rose 13 places this year to number 16.

"Names follow trends and with pop culture speeding up the churn of aesthetic trends, it's natural for names to follow pace," stated SJ Strum. "Having a fast-fashion name will become iconic of the time you were born, so honestly, I'm embracing this revolving door era of baby names."

The Top 20 baby girls' names for 2025 are: