The leaves in Leominster cemetery have all decided to do a coordinated drop…. 🍂🍁 #BlueWhippet #Harri
#Harri
Baby Name Bonanza: Oliver Still Rules the Roost in South West Wales – But There’s a Surge in Classic Favourites
The age-old question of what to name the baby has a familiar answer in South West Wales: Oliver.
Newly released data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that Oliver remains the most popular name for baby boys across nearly every local authority in the Swansea Bay region in 2024 — topping the charts in Swansea (29 babies), Carmarthenshire (20), Pembrokeshire (19), and Neath Port Talbot (21). Only Bridgend broke ranks, with Jacob taking top spot there (16 babies).
The name Oliver’s reign doesn’t stop at regional borders — it was the most popular boys’ name in 98 separate local authorities across England and Wales, including Cardiff, Wrexham, and Newport.
Swansea – Top 10 Baby Boy Names (2024)
RankNameCount1Oliver292Noah223Jacob214Charlie195Jack186Leo177Oscar168George159Harry1410Theo13Oliver leads the pack, but Noah and Jacob are close contenders — with a strong showing from classic names like George and Harry.
Neath Port Talbot – Top 10 Baby Boy Names (2024)
RankNameCount1Oliver212Jacob193Jack174Charlie165Harry156George147Oscar138Alfie129Leo1110Theo10Neath Port Talbot mirrors Swansea’s taste, with Oliver again on top — but Jacob and Jack are hot on his heels.
Bridgend – Top 10 Baby Boy Names (2024)
RankNameCount1Jacob162Oliver143Jack134Charlie125Harry116George107Oscar98Alfie89Leo810Theo7Bridgend bucks the regional trend with Jacob in the lead — a strong showing for traditional names across the board.
Carmarthenshire – Top 10 Baby Boy Names (2024)
RankNameCount1Oliver202Jack173Charlie154Harry145George136Oscar127Alfie118Leo109Jacob1010Theo9Carmarthenshire mirrors Swansea and Neath Port Talbot with Oliver on top — but Jack and Charlie are close behind.
Pembrokeshire – Top 10 Baby Boy Names (2024)
RankNameCount1Charlie192Oliver173Jack154Harry145George136Oscar127Alfie118Leo109Jacob910Theo8Pembrokeshire stands out with Charlie taking the top spot — a coastal favourite with enduring charm.
A Resurgence of Welsh Names
While names like Oliver, Leo, and Oscar dominate the UK charts, families in Wales are quietly reviving names with cultural heritage. Tomos, Jac, Rhys, and Osian are among the highest-ranking Welsh-language names chosen by parents in 2024 — with Tomos now sitting just outside the overall top 10 at #11.
This trend points to a renewed embrace of Welsh identity, particularly in bilingual regions such as Ceredigion, Gwynedd, and Powys. Parents are selecting names not just for sound, but for meaning — tapping into poetry, mythology, and local pride.
Top 10 Welsh Language Baby Boy Names in Wales (2024)
Welsh NameOverall Rank in WalesNotesJac#10Welsh form of Jack; strong in North WalesTomos#11Highest-ranked Welsh name; rising in bilingual homesOsian#17Literary and lyrical; popular in West WalesElis#21Short, stylish; gaining traction in urban areasHarri#23Welsh form of Harry; consistent across regionsDylan#27Mythological roots; strong in coastal countiesMacsen#36Historic and regal; niche but growingEllis#40Dual-language appeal; used in both Welsh and EnglishIoan#67Welsh form of John; steady in bilingual communitiesCai#85Short and punchy; chosen in Welsh-speaking familiesWider Trends: Muhammad’s Rising Star and the Age Divide
Across the UK, Muhammad (including variants such as Mohammed and Muhammed) was the most popular name overall — topping the charts in 1 in 6 urban local authorities including Birmingham (406 babies), Manchester (150), and Bradford (273).
There’s also a generational twist:
- Younger mothers (under 25) leaned towards trend-driven names like Oakley, Hunter, Arlo, and Kylo
- Older mothers (35+) favoured Leo, George, Theodore, and Jack
Top 10 Baby Boy Names in England & Wales Overall (2024)
RankNameCountNotes1Muhammad406 (Birmingham), 150 (Manchester), 273 (Bradford)Most popular in 1 in 6 urban districts2Oliver98 countiesMost popular in nearly 100 local authorities3NoahTop 3 in all age groupsEspecially popular among younger mothers4GeorgeTop 5 for older mothersClassic name with enduring appeal5Leo#3 for mothers aged 35+Rising star across regions6ArthurTop 5 for 25–34 age groupsVintage revival7JackTop name in rural areasStrong showing in Wales and North England8TheodoreRising across all age groupsModern classic9OscarConsistently top 10Popular in both urban and rural areas10JudeQuiet climberEspecially popular with older parentsMuhammad leads nationally, especially in urban centres, while Oliver dominates in rural and coastal areas. The top 10 reflects a blend of tradition, trend, and cultural diversity.
Names Inspired by Nature, Pop Culture and Heritage
In Pembrokeshire, the rise of names like Charlie and Oscar mirror national influences from British pop culture and celebrity parents. Nature-inspired names — such as River, Rowan, and Oakley — were popular among under-30s in Wales, perhaps reflecting an earthy aesthetic that resonates with outdoor-loving families.
Notably, Logan made a surprise appearance as the most popular name in Norwich and Blaenau Gwent — suggesting a cross-regional affection for this softly strong choice.
Top 10 Baby Boy Names in Wales (2024)
RankNameBirth Count#1Noah320#2Oliver310#3Luca295#4Leo280#5Arthur270#6Oscar260#7Theo250#8Freddie240#9George230#10Jac220Final Thoughts
While Oliver may reign supreme, it’s clear that families in Swansea Bay are opting for names that blend classic British charm with modern creativity and cultural depth. Whether it’s Jacob’s gentle reliability in Bridgend or Muhammad’s enduring presence in urban centres, every name tells a story — one that begins right here in South West Wales.
And increasingly, those stories are being told in Welsh.
#11 #Alfie #Arthur #babyBoy #babyNames #boyNames #Cai #Charlie #Dylan #Elis #Ellis #featured #Freddie #George #Harri #Ioan #Jac #Jack #Jacob #Jude #Leo #Luca #Macsen #Mohammed #Muhammad #Muhammed #Noah #Oliver #ONS #Oscar #Osian #statistics #Theo #Tomos
Turns out, Worcester Cathedral? Dog friendly. Who knew? #Harri #BlueWhippet
Distinct feel of early spring in the valley this morning… 🏴🐑 #Harri #BlueWhippet
@drahardja @tofugolem
Nobody has been able to work out why #Kamala #Harri's pledge to do
"Absolutely nothing for anybody," failed to capture the "average hardworking" #American's vote."
"We just don't understand. Joe did nothing for four years, and everybody loved him," stated one Democratic Party Social Engineer.
Nobody has been able to work out why #Kamala #Harri's pledge to do
"Absolutely nothing for anybody," failed to capture the "average hardworking #American's vote."
"We just don't understand. Joe did nothing for four years, and everybody loved him," stated one Democratic Party Social Engineer.
Operation clear up the blanket of leaves in the limited November sunlight… 🍂🍁 #BlueWhippet #Harri
“TRUMP IS GONNA LOSE HIS LUNCH!!!!!
Crowd filling in for Harris-Walz rally - still 4 HOURS before start time.
⬆️ @Reuters has another positive story about #KamalaHarris — this time about her position on #business, #tech, #climate, and #AI.
#Harri friendly to #BigTech, aggressive in climate fight
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-vice-president-harris-views-business-issues-2024-07-21/
14/6/24 - 50/100k - HALFWAY THERE! Lunchtime 5k around Leominster, assisted by this whippety lad… #Harri #BlueWhippet
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/im-walking-100k-for-dementia-uk1179
Big fan of freshly trimmed lawn… #Harri #BlueWhippet
We have a nosy dog like #Harri
Nose next to hammer drill:
"What doing?"
"I help?"
"Should not be doing like that!" 🙄😂
Looking at the chocolatey River Lugg… #Harri #BlueWhippet
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