Revealed: the most popular baby names in 2016

Oliver has held onto the top spot as the most popular name for baby boys in the UK for the fourth year in a row, while Albie and Ezra entered into the top 100 for the first time.

Data for babies born in 2016, published today, also reveals that Olivia has knocked Amelia off the top spot as the country’s favourite name for girls.

Amelia had previously been in the top spot for girls born in England and Wales since 2011, while Oliver has been first for boys since 2013.

There were six new entries into the top 100 most popular boys’ names in 2016 for England and Wales: Albie, Arlo, Ezra, Finn, Jasper and Jesse. These replaced Callum, Connor, Jamie, Kian, Seth and Sonny, which were in the top 100 in 2015.

Meanwhile, the girls had four new entries into the list: Felicity, Iris, Luna and Lydia. These took the place of Bethany, Hollie, Katie and Lacey.

Harper was the girls’ name in the top 100 in 2016 with the biggest rise in popularity over the previous 10 years - possibly popularised by novelist Harper Lee and Harper Beckham.

The statistics were compiled from the names that parents recorded at birth registration across the country, which is a legal requirement.

London bucked the national trend for boys names, with Muhammad retaining the top spot for boys in the capital. For girls in the capital, Amelia emerged as the overall favourite.

A spokesman for the Office for National Statistics, which released the figures, said: "With over 696,000 babies born in England and Wales in 2016, and nearly 64,000 different names chosen for them, it's interesting how relatively stable the top 10 names have been over recent years.

"Olivia replaced Amelia as the most popular name for girls in 2016, returning to the top position it previously held between 2008 and 2010. Oliver remained the most popular name for baby boys born in 2016, having held the top spot since 2013.

"It is as you move down the rankings that you begin to notice social and cultural changes being reflected in name choices."