Babies' First Names

This section contains information and data on the most popular first forenames given to babies whose births were registered in Scotland.
The pages include the current publication, and previous editions which go back to 1998. An Occasional Paper provides a little information about changes in the first forenames between 1900 and 1950, and between 1950 and 2000.There is also a separate list of names for each year going back to 1974, and Comma Separated Value (CSV) files which contain summary records which cover all the years for which the full lists have been produced.

Babies' First Names - Publications

The annual publications appear in December, and cover names given to babies whose births were registered in the first eleven months (or so) of the year.
The material below is based on all births registered in the whole of each calendar year, and therefore is not updated to cover another year until mid-March.

Babies' First Names – How The Top Names Have Changed

The page which follows provides information about changes in the top babies’ first forenames since the first year for which lists are available.
How the top names have changed

Babies’ First Names - Full Lists for each year

Points to note about the lists (PDF 213 KB)

Statistics for other parts of the United Kingdom (UK)

Further information for the rest of the UK can be found via the following links:

England & Wales - Office For National Statistics website

Northern Ireland - Northern Ireland Statistical Research Agency website

Enquiries and Suggestions

Please contact our Statistics Customer Services if you need any further information.
E-mail: statisticscustomerservices@nrscotland.gov.uk

If you have comments or suggestions that would help us improve our outputs or our standards of service please contact:

Alan Ferrier, Senior Statistician,
National Records of Scotland,
Room 1/2/3, Ladywell House, Ladywell Road, Edinburgh. EH12 7TF.
Telephone: (0131) 314 4530
E-mail: Alan.Ferrier@nrscotland.gov.uk