NEW analysis of baby name data in Scotland has revealed the 16 names which have stood the test of time – and only ONE girl’s name is on the list.
Emma has consistently appeared in the top 100 every single year since records began in the 1970s.
Fifteen boys’ names make the list, suggesting parents are more daring in their choices for daughters than they are for sons.
In fact, 338 different girls’ names appeared in the top 100 of each year between 1974 and 2021, compared to just 244 boys’ names, with the list of top girls’ names changing considerably each decade.
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For example, Nicola, Karen and Claire dominated the charts in the 1970s, before being replaced by the likes of Laura, Rebecca and Amy in the early 1990s.
The top boy’s name is Adam, followed by Alexander, Andrew and Daniel. Emma was fifth on the overall list, Fraser was sixth, James seventh, then Jamie, John, Joseph, Matthew, Michael, Robert, Ryan, Thomas and William.
The research by name label manufacturer mynametags.com examined National Records of Scotland data over the last five decades.
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The analysis also demonstrates a growing trend for nicknames as given names, with Jamie and John both making the list. In fact, the name John has consistently ranked higher in the charts than its more formal derivative Jonathan since the 1970s.
Lars B Andersen, managing director at My Nametags, said: “At My Nametags, we have been tracking baby name trends for almost two decades. Throughout the years, we have seen many names come and go, but there are some that seem to have enduring appeal.
“It’s interesting to see that, while traditional names like Andrew and Thomas remain popular, names in general are becoming more diverse in Scotland as parents favour less formal options and increasingly take inspiration from popular culture.
“For example, the name Aria soared in popularity in 2020, influenced by the character in HBO’s Game of Thrones. As popular culture continues to have a wider social impact, we expect this trend to grow, leading to an even broader range of names in Scotland.”
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