The Top 20 Baby Names Of 2012
Stuck on a name for your baby? Be inspired by the meanings behind these great baby boy and baby girl names
Harry
Officially a pet version of Henry, but popular as a name in its own right. Prince Harry and Harry Potter make it a permanent top ten fixture.
Oliver
Super-popular name choice that means 'oluve tree.' Consistently in the top ten.
Jack
Pet form of John but popular in its own right. Jackson and Jake are variations.
Charlie
A name of Germanic origin meaning ‘a man.’ Charlie is a more popular, informal version of Charles.
Jacob
Biblical name meaning ‘supplanter’ and 'holder of the heel'.
Thomas
From an Aramaic word that means 'twin'. Tom and Tommy are popular pet versions.
Alfie
Short version of the more traditional Alfred, it’s from an Old English word meaning ‘wisdom’.
William
The old English name William means 'resolute protector' and was popular for a long time after the Norman conquest in A.D.
Riley
An Irish name meaning 'valiant'.
James
Super-traditional biblical and royal name, derived from Jacob.
Amelia
One of the most popular current names, Amelia is derived from the Germanic word ‘amal’ meaning ‘work’ and means ‘industrious’ and ‘fertile’.
Olivia
Super-popular Shakespearean name deriving from the Latin word for 'olive tree'. Olive is a cute, less common variant.
Jessica
A perennially popular choice meaning 'to behold'. Jessie is a pet version.
Emily
Harks back to Roman times, but is also a timeless classic, particularly popular during the 19th Century.
Lily
One of the most popular names in England and Wales for the past seven years for its vintage tone.
Ava
St Ava was a 9th Century princess, daughter of Pepin II of Aquitine. Fifties Hollywood icon Ava Gardner has kept its popularity sky high.
Mia
Mia means 'mine' or 'wished-for child' from its Latin origin. It is considered an abbreviation of both 'Maria' and the male 'Michael.'
Isla
Popular Scottish name derived from ‘Islay’, an island in Scotland.
Sophie
And the near identical Sophia, plus their friend Sofia,are crazy popular names meaning 'wisdom'.
