The most popular Christmas-themed baby names for boys and girls in the UK have been revealed.
Those expecting new arrivals to the family over the festive period will now find new inspiration if they’re struggling settle on a name.
Analysing the latest data from the Office of National Statistics, ChristmasTress.co.uk compiled a list of the 10 most popular names for boys and girl inspired by the most wonderful time of the year.
Popular Christmas names for boys
The three most popular names for boys are Jack, Theodore and Joseph. Here is a breakdown of the meaning behind the names.
Jack
The name Jack means ‘God is Gracious’, but can also resemble Jack Frost, a popular character in English folklore who personifies winter.
Jack Frost has inspired movies, literature, and music that appear each December, and is mentioned in the popular Christmas song ‘Chestnuts roasting on an open fire’.
In 2020 there were 2,900 babies born with the name Jack, placing it at the top of the list for Christmas themed names.
Theodore
A big part of Christmas is gifts, and the name Theodore literally means ‘God’s Gift’.
Although of Greek origin, the name was popular among early Christians and it was borne by more than twenty saints.
Last year there were 2,737 new-borns named Theodore. It also ranked 14th across all boys’ names born last year, up 123 places since a decade ago.
Joseph
Joseph’s relevance to Christmas should need no explanation, featured in the Bible as father to Jesus, and husband to Mary, the name Joseph means “increase or addition”.
In 2020, there were 1,437 babies born named Joseph.
Top 10 baby boy names inspired by Christmas
The full list of boys' name meanings can be found here.
Popular Christmas names for girls
The three most popular names for boys are Ivy, Grace and Evie. If you like the sound of them, here is a breakdown of the meaning behind the names.
Ivy
Ivy is of course a festive evergreen, it has long been used during winter solstice celebrations to ward off evil spirits and to celebrate new growth.
Last year 2,166 babies were born named Ivy, ranking it top on list of Christmas themed names for girls.
Grace
Grace means eloquence, kindness and favour. The name itself does not have a direct tie to Christmas, but the sound and meaning have strong connotations of the festive season.
2,010 new-born girls were named Grace in 2020 placing it 2nd in the Christmas-themed list.
Evie
Evie is the Latin form of Eve, the name itself means living, and the night before, and you can’t get much more festive than Christmas Eve itself.
In 2020 there were 1,793 baby girls born named Evie.
Top 10 baby girl names inspired by Christmas
The full list of girls' name meanings can be found here.
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