Favourite Scots baby names revealed as Noah takes top spot from Jack for boys

Noah has knocked Jack off the beanstalk as Scotland’s most popular baby boy name.

Jack had spent 14 consecutive years at number one but the biblical boat builder’s moniker has sailed into the top spot with 373 baby boys given the name in 2022.

For the second year in a row, Olivia has been the top name for girls, according to the baby name chart from National Records of Scotland (NRS).

Olivia has been a long-term favourite holding the top spot in six of the previous seven years.

Olivia Newton-John, who died in August 2022, and Olivia Wilde

“A relative flood of Noahs in the last four years has saw the name leap from eight to first,” said NRS statistician Daniel Burns.

There are far more names in use across the country, Mr Burns explained, with parents aiming for something more unusual – meaning it takes fewer babies to share a name for it to be high up in the charts.

“Back in the 70s when David was the most popular name there were upwards of 1,700 babies a year with the top boys name,” he said.

“Since then fertility has declined, meaning there are fewer births, but with more names in use Noah can claim the top spot with 373 baby boys given the name in 2022.”

Popular culture is also having an impact. Luca has climbed 20 places to land in fifth place for boys – possibly boosted by contestant Luca Bish appearing on Love Island.

The name Maeve has also grown in popularity over the past few years after featuring in different TV shows such as The Boys, Westworld and Sex Education.

“Names seen on Love Island, such as Luca, Millie, Arabella and Kai have all increased since appearing on screen,” Mr Burns said.”

There have been 15 boys named Reo since Celtic signed midfielder Reo Hatate.

Rangers’ James Tavernier’s first name continues to be among Scotland’s favourites, in ninth place with 243 namesakes born in 2022.

Other names apparently influenced by celebrities include Lando, the name of a Star Wars character, Tilly, like Tilly Ramsay who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing last year, Matilda and Dua – like the English and Albanian singer Dua Lipa.

There has also been a rise in nature-related names with Violet, Daisy, Ivy, Wren, Dahlia, Primrose, Oakley and River all becoming more popular – Oakley and River rose for both boys and girls.