Boys' Names - Commentary

20 December 2006 

After three years in second place Jack has returned to number one, replacing Lewis as the most popular boys’ name for new babies. Jack was previously number one for the four years from 1999 to 2002.  Lewis falls to a very close second place after 3 years at the top whilst Callum remains in third. The top ten names are the same as last year with only minor changes to ranking but there are two new entrants to the top 20 - Aaron (up 8 places to 13^th) and Logan (up 8 places to 15^th).

Robbie (up 16 places to 36^th), Harry (up 13 places to 46^th), Reece (up 10 places to 47^th) and Oliver (up 2 places to 49^th) are new entrants in the top 50. Other names, making significant advances in the top 50 include Finlay (up 7 places to 21^st) and Charlie (up 15 places to 34^th). Lower down the top 100, Tyler (up 10 places to 52^nd), Arran (up 12 places to 59^th), Lucas (up 19 places to 64^th), Shaun (up 23 places to 69^th) and Archie (up 14 places to 70^th) also make advances. New names reaching the top 100 include Kenzie (up 19 places to 82^nd), Alfie (up 31 places to 83^rd), Brodie (up 17 places to 88^th), Luca (up 62 to 90^th) and Bailey (up 19 places to 91^st). Patrick (up 12 places to 93^rd), Hamish (up 9 places to 96^th) and Jason (up 3 places to 100^th) have re-entered the top 100 after falling to 105^th, 105^th, and 103^rd respectively last year. 

There have been notable reductions in popularity for Euan (down 14 places to 43^rd) Christopher (down 11 places to 55^th) and Jake (down 11 places to 56^th). Lower down the order, Finn (down 17 places to 92^nd) and Paul (down 33 places to 100^th) have also dropped significantly. Names dropping out of the top 100 are Louis, Mackenzie, Joe, Conor, Jordan, Mohammed and Darren.

By early-December 2006, around 26,500 boys had been registered, with over 2,500 different first names being used. The top 50 names accounted for 51 per cent of the total.  1600 boys were given unique (for 2006) first names. The full list of first forenames given, Scotland, 2006 can be downloaded on this website.