Top 100 Girls & Boys names 2019

I'm well past the relevance of looking at baby-name lists but I still find it interesting to see where the trends lie...just sharing some opinions along the way
Going from this article: https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/04/olivia-muhammad-top-list-popular-baby-names-2019-11266090/

1. Olivia - ugh, how long has that been at number one now?! I honestly don't know why parents-to-be don't just look at lists for the past 5 years and like rule out anything in the top 20! When I was at school my class had multiples of many names - back then it was Sarah, Louise and Emma especially with honourable mentions to Helen, Joanna, Rebecca and Jennifer.
2. Sophia 
3. Ava 
4. Amelia 
5. Isla 
6. Lily 
7. Mia - this really ought to be short for something.
8. Emily 
9. Isabella 
10. Freya - approved.
11. Aria 
12. Ella - kinda glad any Stranger Things influence hasn't led to too many girls being named Eleven...I heard of an Elleven t'other day
13. Evie - yes, my name is 'Heggie' but it isn't a diminutive. If I were changing my name again it'd be 'Heggitha' instead. Eve is a fair name but Evie?! It sounds so childish to me (ditto Rosie #17, Ellie #44, Gracie #83 etc). Think about your daughter being a strapping 6ft tall mum in jeans and see if the name still fits.
14. Grace 
15. Isabelle - if Isabella #9, Isabelle and Bella #50 were combined where would they be on the chart?!
16. Ivy 
17. Rosie 
18. Sophie 
19. Willow 
20. Charlotte 
21. Poppy 
22. Elsie - whilst being a diminutive of Elizabeth 'Elsie' has a vintage feel to me which I like...
23. Emilia 
24. Sienna 
25. Phoebe 
26. Ruby 
27. Hannah 
28. Evelyn 
29. Zara 
30. Florence 
31. Maya - is your kid Mayan tho???
32. Luna - I love the name but I do worry about the bullying potential
33. Eva 
34. Darcie 
35. Emma 
36. Mila - how are we pronouncing this? Myla (see #93)? Miller?
37. Chloe - this was #1 for donkey's years...
38. Daisy 
39. Alice 
40. Layla 
41. Matilda - approved
42. Harper - I REALLY hate this one. Sorry.
43. Molly 
44. Ellie - No, name your kid Eleanor (#64) and call them Ellie. Give them OPTIONS.
45. Nur 
46. Eliza 
47. Zoe 
48. Sarah 
49. Thea - Theodora maybe, very much like The Haunting (1963)
50. Bella 
51. Ada 
52. Maisie 
53. Jessica 
54. Millie 
55. Lucy 
56. Violet 
57. Fatima 
58. Scarlett 
59. Maryam - approved
60. Penelope 
61. Holly 
62. Erin - Erin wasn't on any popularity lists when my Erin Ciara was born, slightly sad it's become popular but grateful it still isn't super common.
63. Anna 
64. Eleanor - I love the name for all it's one I couldn't use myself. I'd like to see a rise in other Old English names...Aethelflaed and Aelfwynn for example.
65. Robyn 
66. Imogen 
67. Lottie 
68. Hallie 
69. Harriet - One from my lists :) Also one I contemplated for my own name change.
70. Aurora 
71. Esme 
72. Lola 
73. Amber 
74. Iris 
75. Maria 
76. Jasmine 
77. Bonnie 
78. Abigail - I like this one; if you haven't read 'Playing Beatie Bow' by Ruth Park - DO IT!
79. Amelie 
80. Clara - I liked this name until she was a Doctor Who sidekick... (Rose #84, Martha #98, Amelia #4, Rory #59 on the boys)
81. Ayla 
82. Annabelle 
83. Gracie 
84. Rose 
85. Georgia - the state or the country?
86. Summer 
87. Arabella 
88. Delilah - this kid is gonna have THAT song sang at her all her damn life.
89. Elizabeth 
90. Lara 
91. Leah 
92. Kiara 
93. Myla 
94. Nancy - is this a Stranger Things inspired comeback?
95. Eden - kinda like this one
96. Orla 
97. Heidi - have always thought I'd go for Adelheid myself.
98. Martha 
99. Penny 
100. Ariana

...and now for the boys...

1. Muhammad - given that other spelling variations haven't made it into the top 100 I have my suspicions they've combined them in the same way that other variations like Amelia #4 and Emilia #23 have been counted as distinct from each other.
2. Noah 
3. Leo - at least Leo the lion is a thing beyond Leopold and Leon #98.
4. Oliver 
5. Charlie - Prince or Weasley?
6. Harry - Prince or Potter?
7. George - Prince or Weasley?
8. Arthur - Weasley? Also probably the most popular name I have ever seriously liked. Arthur was in the running for both my girls if they'd been boys.
9. Freddie - Weasley?! Quite a run of potentially HP themed names and even Oliver could count.
10. Jack - unlike Chloe which has dropped a LOT from the height of its popularity Jack is still far too high up the list to be contemplated.
11. Theo - no, Theodore #41
12. Oscar 
13. Jacob 
14. Ethan 
15. Alfie 
16. Jaxon - names suffixed -son seem quite popular: Harrison #39, Mason #46, Grayson #70, Jenson #94. Generally not a fan but changing the 'cks' of Jackson to an x is kinda cute.
17. Thomas 
18. Joshua 
19. Henry 
20. Lucas 
21. Archie - unusually I like Archie, not sure I could name a baby Archibald.
22. Max 
23. Isaac
24. James 
25. Adam 
26. Louis 
27. Elijah 
28. Teddy - again, go with Theodore #41 and call 'em Teddy for short. A 47 year old bank exec called Teddy? Just doesn't sound right to me.
29. Aiden 
30. Finley 
31. William 
32. Alexander 
33. Luca 
34. Daniel 
35. Logan - Ted(dy) at #28, Theodore at #41 and Logan here in the middle - COINCIDENCE?! Bill and Preston don't seem to feature.
36. Liam 
37. Jayden 
38. Tommy 
39. Harrison 
40. Reuben 
41. Theodore - approved
42. Arlo 
43. Elliott 
44. Dylan - I prefer the spelling Dillon
45. Ryan 
46. Mason 
47. Joseph 
48. Sebastian - approved
49. Samuel 
50. Caleb 
51. Kian - I kind of like Kyan, as in the stone Kyanite, but with an i I find it odd.
52. Yusuf 
53. Albie - is this Potterheads being reluctant to go full Dumbledore?! What the heck is an Albie? Albus or Albion maybe.
54. Ollie 
55. David 
56. Zachary 
57. Nathan 
58. Riley 
59. Rory 
60. Hugo 
61. Edward 
62. Hunter - I hope Hunter grows up to be vegan.
63. Ezra - approved
64. Benjamin 
65. Toby 
66. Jude 
67. Luke 
68. Carter 
69. Gabriel 
70. Grayson 
71. Kayden 
72. Alex 
73. Reggie 
74. Finn 
75. Ahmad 
76. Matthew 
77. Jesse 
78. Bobby - Sam(uel) at #49, Bobby here but no Dean??? Even Adam made the list and he's still in the cage. Sadly Lucifer seems a long way off making a comeback too.
79. Frankie 
80. Myles 
81. Roman - but is your kid Roman though? Maybe they'll be more interested in the Greeks...
82. Michael - so Lucas is #20, Will(iam) is at #31, Michael is here and Dustin is nowhere to be seen? That is just so wrong.
83. Kai 
84. Connor 
85. John 
86. Blake 
87. Matteo 
88. Ali 
89. Eli - I prefer Elias
90. Ibrahim 
91. Harvey 
92. Aaron 
93. Evan 
94. Jenson 
95. Stanley - I like that this one is here.
96. Harley 
97. Jason 
98. Leon 
99. Levi 
100. Lewis

Game of Thrones - Baby Names

Saw a trending tweet from the author of this NBC News article: 'Name of Thrones: parents are naming their kids after favorite 'GoT' characters' https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/lil-joffrey-game-thrones-baby-names-n1004541

Only a pass is given for Arya as being a name used internationally. Now I'm no names expert but...

• Brienne is a variant of Brianna Celtic) or a place name (French)
• Ramsay is a surname
• Gregor is a perfectly ordinary name (of Dutch / Scots origin) as is Ghita (Greek) although it also resembles the Indian name Gita / Geeta.
• Sandor is a Hungarian variant of Alexander - no different to naming your kid Alex or Xander
• Shae, Myrcella, Catelyn, Myranda etc are simple spelling variants too. Most are based on real world names.

Joffrey, which doesn't make the list, is also the name of Meghan Duchess of Sussex's half uncle. Assuming names have been chosen DIRECTLY as a result of Game of Thrones (hereafter GoT) is a bit of a leap of logic. Naturally it is raising the profile of certain names but that means parents considering certain names like, Alexander or Miranda, might go for a less common variant 'inspired by' but not exactly 'because of' GoT.

Even names that seem to definitely belong to the GoT universe aren't always what they seem. Tyrion is listed as a variant of the Irish name Tyrone and while Cersei is considered a created name it's based on the Greek goddess Circe. 

With the recent excitement over #BabySussex's name the BBC ran an article on how to choose a name for your baby (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48185728) and I was rather taken by this contribution by Richard Jones, a university lecturer from Salford, who with his wife:

"We were really keen to have a name that was unusual, but not wacky.

We didn't want one that there was going to be a whole class full of them.

We also didn't want to go for a made-up one.

The couple ruled out anything in the top 100 most popular names list and,

because he is Scottish and his wife is Welsh,

wanted the name to originate from either of those places.

It needed to be easily shortened, both the short and long names had to work

with both the single and double-barrelled versions of their surname

and it couldn't start with the same initial as the mum or dad. 

But apart from that we didn't really think too much about it."

Excellent advice all round! I have never understood why parents pick super common names unless they have a really meaningful reason for it - like naming your kid after your brother Jack who died when Jack has been a VERY popular name for years. For this reason I can see why GoT names are appealing for being a bit different but kind of familiar.
It's also worthwhile thinking how the first and last names go together...as well as checking that the initials don't spell out something unfortunate or match a problematic acronym.
Naming your child is probably the most important decision you will ever make but you aren't the person who will have to live with the worst of the consequences if it's a bad choice. All the same, parents DO regret the names they pick for their kids, quite frequently. Choosing a name from a current pop-culture source can be regretted when you move on to the next trend but also uncomfortably obvious (so many boys named Jensen! Guess who mom has a crush on...), dated in a few years (which affects unusual names more because they stand out), embarrassing (fancy being named after Kylie Minogue and forever being associated with Kylie Jenner!) etc etc

There are also some pretty good motives for naming your child after a fictional character you admire - it's not much different than naming your child after anyone else. In some ways it's safer than naming them after a celebrity or other living person who may yet go on to do something you find abhorrent. HOWEVER, when naming your child after a fictional character it is a good idea to let their story come to completion before doing so. GoT is currently airing its final season but there are apparently books yet to come.

Like with any name it is worthwhile to do your homework and be sure what it means...and to consider what it will mean to the child. My elder daughter tells me there are significant differences between the books and TV show - the TV show is likely to be the one most present in people's minds when they consider your kid's name... the kid is also likely to want to see it themselves. Given the nature of GoT and the events that happen to various characters...is that REALLY a good idea?!

Fairly sure that any of the 14 kids named 'Theon' will be scarred for life as and when they find out what happens to their namesake... shortening the name to Theo for everyday use might help but in the US your legal name is harder to change and follows you around.

One thing I like about GoT characters is how they all have good and bad sides - Tyrion is bloody brilliant in many ways but he's also a womanising alcoholic capable of some really dubious stuff. As a parent you really ought to consider all the angles - will your child and their peers see Arya as a powerful heroine or will they see her as a cold-hearted assassin? 

My favourite GoT characters are probably Tyrion Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, Sandor Clegane, Olenna Tyrell and Samwell Tarly (whom I affectionately refer to as 'stupid fat Hobbit' due to the similarities of character and name to Samwise Gamgee of LOTR). Brienne and Sandor are fine as names, not so sure about the others... 

Royal Baby Name Guesses

Royal baby name odds, from William Hill, updated 29/04/19

Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2019/04/29/royal-baby-name-odds-title-meghan-markle-prince-harry/

Girls
1. Diana 4/1
2. Victoria 7/1
3. Alice 12/1
4. Grace 12/1
5. Isabella / Isobella 12/1
6. Elizabeth 14/1
7. Alexandra 20/1
8. Harriett 20/1
9. Rose 20/1
10. April 25/1

Boys
1. Arthur 16/1
2. James 16/1
3. Edward 25/1
4. Albert 33/1
5. Alexander 33/1
6. Christopher 33/1
7. Daniel 33/1
8. Henry 33/1
9. Phillip 33/1
10. Joseph 40/1

My Opinions
For girls I'd like to throw Diana, Grace, Isabella, Harriett, Rose AND April out of consideration. IF a month name were to be used, May would be better as Harry's great great grandmother Mary of Teck was known as May, and we're nearly in May now. That leaves Victoria, Alice, Elizabeth and Alexandra from the top bets... Harriet was on my list of preferred names but not with two t's and because it was a great grandmother's name.
For the boys names I'll throw out Edward, Albert, Christopher, Daniel, Henry and Joseph. I think it very unlikely the baby will be named Henry as that's Harry's proper name and that is rather out of fashion of late. That leaves Arthur, James, Alexander and Phillip. Arthur Alexander was one of my top picks if I'd ever had a boy.
A good few people have suggested the idea of twins in which case using Elizabeth and Phillip would be rather nice but I don't think twins are especially likely as Meghan is allegedly planning a home birth and has apparently gone to full-term. Not that these things CAN'T happen but an older first time mum having Royal twins at home seems a stretch too far and an early labour is statistically more likely.
Obviously many other names have been suggested including a nod to Meghan's mother, Doria...I wonder if they might splice Doria and Diana like Renesmee in The Twilight Saga who was named after Bella's mum Renee and Edward's adoptive mum Esme. Daria? Dorana? Hmmm...
Unlisted names I think might make an appearance are Helena and Leopold.

My Prediction
Names in order of preference and using the Royal family's tendency to give four Christian names:
Girl: Helena Alice Doriana Victoria
Boy: Arthur Alexander Leopold James

Now just for time to tell.

EDIT - 03/05/19

Royal baby name odds, from William Hill, updated 03/05/19
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2019/05/03/royal-baby-name-odds-meghan-markle-prince-harry-boy-girl/

Girls
1. Diana 4/1 (no change)
2. Allegra 8/1 (new)
3. Grace 8/1 (up from #4 at 12/1)
4. Alice 12/1 (down from #3, same odds)
5. Isabella / Isobella 12/1 (no change)
6. Victoria 14/1 (down from #2 at 7/1)
7. Elizabeth 20/1 (down from #6 at 14/1)
8. Alexandra 20/1 (down from #7, same odds)
9. April 25/1 (up from #10, same odds)
10. Catherine 25/1 (new)
Harriett and Rose have left the top 10 in exchange for Allegra (rather like it) and Catherine (good name but the same as Harry's sister in law? That'd be a tad odd...although it would put those stupid feud rumours to bed).
I've started thinking of Eleanor as a good, classic Royal name long overdue for a comeback. I am still VERY much of the opinion that if they don't use Doriana for a daughter they are very very wrong indeed. So my updated girls' name is now Eleanor Doriana Victoria - also shifting to the three christian names pattern adopted by William & Catherine.

Boys
1. Arthur 12/1 (up from 16/1)
2. James 16/1 (no change)
3. Albert 20/1 (up from #4 at 33/1)
4. Edward 33/1 (down from #3 at 25/1)
5. Alexander 33/1 (no change)
6. Christopher 33/1 (no change)
7. Daniel 33/1 (no change)
8. Henry 33/1 (no change)
9. Oliver 40/1 (new)
10. Phillip 40/1 (down from #9 at 33/1)
So only one new entry - Oliver has been a very popular name in the UK for a long time but it's association with Oliver Cromwell makes me point and laugh at the idea of it being used as a Royal baby name.
I'm still quite happy with my boys' name guess but if I was switching to a 3 name combo I'm not sure which I'd drop... Arthur Alexander Leopold, Arthur Leopold James? Hmmm, wonder if either of them are James Arthur fans?! Maybe Harry is more of an Ed Sheeran fan...remember the commemorative plate incident (source: https://planetradio.co.uk/heat/entertainment/celebrity/ed-sheeran-prince-harry-mistake-plate/)? Maybe for a 2nd guess I'll go Arthur Leopold Edward ;)

CONCLUSION
#BabySussex was a BOY - delivered safely on Monday 6th May 2019 at 05:26 BST and weighing 7lbs 3oz. It was announced on the 8th that Harry and Meghan are naming their son ARCHIE HARRISON MOUNTBATTEN-WINDSOR, he does not have a title at this time. Basically all the top guesses were wrong - from the expectation of a girl to the two or three expected middle names. No idea where Archie might've appeared in the betting, if indeed it was suggested at all. On the plus side maybe their naming a potential future daughter 'Doriana' isn't so unlikely after all!

Someone on Twitter disagreed with my bet on 'Arthur' (despite it being the top of the bookies shortlist by that time) "as Pippa just had a son she named Arthur" ...Pippa being Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's sister Philippa Matthews nee Middleton. As such she is no relation to Harry & Meghan so her choice of baby name is fairly irrelevant.
If such a thing were a factor it obviously means very little to the Royals as evidenced by Prince Louis of Cambridge, William & Catherine's third child. Louis Arthur Charles was born a little over a year ago. Not only does he share a name with older brother Prince George (George Alexander Louis) and his father (William Arthur Philip Louis) but he also has a STEP COUSIN of the same name! Prince William and Prince Harry's stepbrother Tom Parker-Bowles has two children LOLA (b. 2007) and FREDDY (b. 2010) and their stepsister Laura Lopes has three children ELIZA (b. 2007) and twins GUS and LOUIS (b. 2009) - all these step cousins having been born since Prince Charles marriage to their grandmother Camilla in 2005.

I very much like the name 'Archie' but I'm not a huge fan of 'Harrison' because - and you can laugh at this - I don't like surnames used as Christian names. Yes, I know 'Heggie' is a surname and yes, I chose it myself. Surnames are good as gender neutral names though...
Speaking of this a good few people liked the name 'Spencer' - after Princess Diana's maiden name - for a child of either gender. Despite her enduring popularity I can't imagine it being used as a Royal baby forename, a middle name perhaps, but overall I would rather William and Harry looked to the future in their own families. Not only that but let's not lose sight of the fact that Catherine and Meghan both have their own families and connections - it is not only William and Harry who might want to commemorate loved ones in their naming of their children.