05/01/2004

Jack and Emily top baby name popularity list

Jack, for the ninth year running, was once again the most popular name for newborn boys whilst Emily topped the girls' popularity list for 2003.

According to government statistics released today, for the first time in seven years Chloe is no longer the most popular girls' name in England and Wales. It drops to third place behind Emily and Ellie.

The most significant top 50 change in the popularity of boys' names this year was the rise of Alfie, up 31 places to number 18. The fastest riser in the girls' top 50 was Poppy, a new entrant at number 43, having risen 20 places.

For the eighth year running, the top five boy's names, Jack, Joshua, Thomas, James and Daniel, remained virtually the same. In the girls' top five, Emily went to the top from second place, Ellie moved up two places to second, Jessica dropped one place to fourth while Sophie remained in fifth place.

New entries into the boys' top 50 were Harrison (up five places to number 47) and Archie (up five to number 50). Apart from Alfie, other more popular boys' names were Harvey up 10 places to number 36 and Tyler up five places to number 35. Meanwhile, Jake and Aaron both lost popularity, falling seven places each to numbers 31 and 43 respectively. Robert and Jordan drop out of the top 50 altogether.

In the girls' top 50, Freya was the highest new entry, up 10 places to number 41, followed by Poppy, Isabel, up 12 places to number 47, Aimee, up 16 places to number 49 and Ruby, up 16 places to number 50. There was a big increase in the popularity of Isabella (up 13 places to number 37) and Daisy (up 11 places to number 31). Less popular were Rebecca (down seven places to number 25) and Sarah (down seven places to number 46).

Jade, Zoe, Laura, Nicole, Maisie all dropped out of the top 50.

(gmcg)

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