The top baby names in the UK and the US have some strong similarities-- but they also have some striking differences. According to the UK National Office of Statistics and the US Social Security Baby Name Index, here are the top 20 baby boy names in these two countries"
Top 20 British Baby Boy Names in 2007
- Jack
- Thomas
- Oliver
- Joshua
- Harry
- Charlie
- Daniel
- William
- James
- Alfie
- Samuel
- George
- Joseph
- Benjamin
- Ethan
- Lewis
- Mohammed
- Jake
- Dylan
- Jacob
Top 20 American Baby Boy Names in 2007
- Jacob
- Michael
- Ethan
- Joshua
- Daniel
- Christopher
- Anthony
- William
- Matthew
- Andrew
- Alexander
- David
- Joseph
- Noah
- James
- Ryan
- Logan
- Jayden
- John
- Nicholas
Only 6 names made both lists-- Joshua (#4 in both countries), Daniel (#7 UK, #5 US), James (#9 UK, #15 US), Joseph (#13 in both countries), Ethan (#15 UK, #3 US), and Jacob (#20 UK, #1 US).
However, quite a few other names did come close to making both lists. Ultra-trendy Jayden, which debuted on the US top 20 chart this year at #18, also ranked in the UK at #32. However, other than Jayden, the ubiquitous American "ayden" trend (including names like Aidan, Brayden, Hayden, and Caden) has not permeated the UK as much.
Logan, another uber-trendy US name that ranked at #17, ranked at #54 in the UK. Other names that were ranked highly in both countries include Jack (#1 UK, #38 US), Thomas (#2 UK, #51 US), Matthew (#24 UK, #9 US), Alexander (#23 UK, #11 US), Noah (#50 UK, #14 US), Ryan (#25 UK, #16 US), Dylan (#19 UK, #29 US), Samuel (#11 UK, #25 US), and Benjamin (#14 UK, #26 US).
On the other hand, some of the names on the UK most popular boy's list are rarely used in the US. The name that sticks out the most is Alfie, which is #10 on the British list. Alfie isn't even on the top 1000 list in the United States, and to an American ear, that name sounds rather comical. Three other popular British names that sound comical in the U.S. are Archie (the name of a very retro cartoon teen), Freddie, and Harvey.
Another big naming difference between the countries is the popularity of Harry in the UK. In a nation where the name is associated with a native prince and sorcerer, Harry is ranked #5. In the US, however, Harry is ranked at #578 and rarely used. Americans tend to associate the name with elderly men and with people who are, well, hairy, so it's not considered by most to be a desirable name.
Other popular British boy's names that are rarely used in the United States are Lewis, Callum, Rhys (Americans sometimes spell it Reece or Reese), Kian, Reuben, and Ellis.
At the same time, some American names sound pretty odd in the UK. The Western name trend that has swept the US hasn't graced the UK, so names like Austin, Justin, Landon, Hunter, Chase, Colton, Cody, Wyatt, and Dakota sound odd to British ears. In addition, although Biblical names like Ethan and Joshua are very popular in both places, more archaic sounding Biblical names have become popular in the US as of late, such as Caleb, Isaiah, Jonah, Jeremiah, and Nathaniel.
British and American culture overlaps quite a bit, and so do the baby names in their cultures. However, notable and humorous differences stand out. While Americans are laughing at Alfie and Archie, Brits are laughing at Zayden and Raiden.
See also:
British and American Baby Girl Names
 |
