Top 10 Baby Girl Names in the UK vs USA (2026 Official Lists)

A little while ago we compared the top 10 baby boy names in the UK and the USA, and the two countries could barely agree on anything. Now it is the girls turn, and the story is completely different.

For girls, Britain and America are practically finishing each others sentences. The number one name is identical. Three more names appear on both top 10 lists. But dig a little deeper and the personalities split in a fascinating way: Britain is living in a vintage flower garden, while America is hosting a very polished dinner party.

Here are the official 2026 lists, both built on the newest government data available. The UK figures come from the Office for National Statistics, covering babies born in England and Wales in 2025 and published in July 2026. The US figures come from the Social Security Administration, covering 2025 births and published in May 2026.

Top 10 Girls Names in the UK (ONS)

1. Olivia · Latin · Olive tree, peace · Number one for the tenth straight year

2. Lily · Latin/English · Purity, innocence · Rose to number two this year

3. Amelia · Germanic · Industrious, striving · Slipped to number three

4. Isla · Scottish · Island · A steady modern favourite

5. Florence · Latin · Flourishing, prosperous · Vintage revival still climbing

6. Freya · Norse · Norse goddess of love · Modern British favourite

7. Poppy · Latin · Red flower · Floral trend going strong

8. Elsie · Scottish · Pledged to God · Vintage comeback in full swing

9. Ivy · English · Faithfulness · Nature name trend

10. Isabella · Hebrew/Italian · Pledged to God · New entry, replaced Ava

Look at that list and you can practically smell the garden. Lily, Poppy, Ivy, three flower names in one top 10. Add Florence and Elsie, straight out of the great grandmother era, and you have the most British list imaginable. Honestly, it is charming. There is something lovely about a playground full of little Florences and Elsies.

Top 10 Girls Names in the USA (SSA)

1. Olivia · Latin · Olive tree, peace · Number one for the seventh straight year

2. Charlotte · French · Free man · Jumped to number two, ending Emmas six year run as runner up

3. Emma · Germanic · Universal, whole · Slipped to number three

4. Amelia · Germanic · Industrious, striving · Stable and strong

5. Sophia · Greek · Wisdom · A consistent top five name

6. Mia · Italian · Mine, beloved · Short, sweet, stable

7. Isabella · Hebrew · Pledged to God · Holding its ground

8. Evelyn · English · Wished for · Vintage but firmly mainstream

9. Sofia · Greek · Wisdom · Spelling variant strength

10. Eliana · Hebrew · God has answered · New entry, Ava dropped out

America's list reads like a guest list for an elegant brunch. Charlotte, Sophia, Evelyn. These names sound expensive, and I mean that as a compliment. The headline here is Charlotte leaping to number two and knocking Emma off a six year run as runner up. That is the single biggest move on either list this year.

Things These Two Lists Reveal

Olivia is untouchable. Number one in the UK for ten years, number one in the US for seven. No other name comes close to that kind of cross Atlantic dominance. If you are considering Olivia, know you are joining a very large, very happy club.

Three names made both top 10s. Olivia, Amelia and Isabella rank highly on both sides of the ocean. If your family spans the UK and the US, these are your safest bets. A name that works in London and Los Angeles without raising an eyebrow.

Britain is in its flower era. Lily, Poppy and Ivy. You will not find a single flower name in the American top 10. This is a purely British obsession right now, and it is delightful.

Charlotte's surge is an American story. She does not crack the UK top 10 at all, but in the US she just ended Emma's long run as runner up. Royal watching clearly hits different across the pond.

Eliana is the breakout star. New to the US top 10, with Ava dropping out for the first time in years. Hebrew for God has answered, melodic, international. Watch this one. It has all the ingredients of a name that keeps climbing.

How to Choose From These Lists

Decide how much popularity matters to you. There is no wrong answer. Some parents love knowing the name is tried and tested. Others want something less common. If Olivia feels too popular, look at names just outside the top 10, like the rising stars in our trending baby names roundup.

Say it with your surname. This is the five minute test that saves years of doubt. Our guide on testing whether a first name flows with your surname walks you through it.

Check the meaning. You will say this name ten thousand times. Make sure you love what it means, not just how it sounds. Every name above carries a meaning worth knowing, from Lily's purity to Freya's love.

Think about nicknames. Olivia becomes Liv or Livvy whether you plan it or not. Isabella becomes Bella or Izzy. Make sure you like the short versions too.

Generate your own shortlist. Instead of scrolling endless lists, try the FindNameAI baby name generator and filter 50,000 plus names by origin, meaning and style. You will find your shortlist in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular baby girl name in the UK in 2026?

Olivia, for the tenth consecutive year, according to ONS data on babies born in England and Wales in 2025, published in July 2026.

What is the most popular baby girl name in the USA in 2026?

Also Olivia, for the seventh consecutive year, according to Social Security Administration data on 2025 births, published in May 2026.

Which girl names are popular in both the UK and USA?

Olivia, Amelia and Isabella all rank in the top 10 in both countries, making them the safest cross Atlantic choices.

What is the fastest rising girl name right now?

Eliana. It entered the US top 10 for the first time, replacing Ava, and it is also climbing fast in the UK. Expect to hear it a lot more.

Where can I find more baby girl name ideas?

Browse our most viral British baby names, our Arabic baby names with beautiful meanings, or generate personalized ideas with the FindNameAI baby name generator.

The girls lists tell a sweeter story than the boys. Two countries, one shared favourite in Olivia, and two distinct personalities underneath. Britain picks flowers from the garden. America sets a polished table. Whichever style speaks to you, you now have twenty officially counted, genuinely loved names to start from, plus the meanings behind every single one.

Want the full picture? See our companion post on the top 10 baby boy names in the UK vs USA, and happy name hunting.