Most popular Christmas baby names in the UK - and Holly is only No3
Winter is now in full swing - and soon-to-be parents everywhere will be looking for the perfect name for their little one. And if you're a fan of the festive season then look no further than the latest findings from the team at QR Code Generator who have discovered quite the list of unique, winter-themed baby names. Seasonal names for both boys and girls were popular were some more unusual curveballs thrown in or good, jolly measure.
A spokesperson for QRFY said: “Choosing a name for your new baby is one of the most precious and memorable experiences in the world. A seasonal name is truly unforgettable, especially when it comes to the raw beauty, peace and stunning landscapes of winter. Naming your precious bundle after the beautiful winter season in which they were born will constantly evoke magical memories of welcoming new life into the world”.
If you''re expecting a December arrival and your bundle of joy is a girl, then some of these might take your fancy...
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Ivy
Ivy is the most popular winter-inspired baby girl’s name in the UK, with 2,195 baby girls named Ivy in 2022 - higher than any other winter-themed name on the list. Ivy evokes courage and endurance, a beautiful plant that is an essential staple of winter’s evergreen finery: gleaming bold green against the ice and snow of the season. Ivy is frequently found wound into wreaths and other festive decorations, and the name brings a strong, festive sense of joy.
Aurora
Aurora is the second popular winter-inspired baby name in the UK, with 972 baby girls born with the name in 2022. Named after the beautiful Northern Lights phenomenon called the Aurora Borealis that lights up the skies with stunning hues in countries like Iceland and areas like Northern Scandinavia, Aurora also comes from the Latin ‘dawn’, and evokes the beauty of the winter skies. Plus, if youre into Disney it's also Sleeping Beauty's official name, too.
Holly
Named after a beautiful and bold evergreen plant that is particularly striking in winter, Holly with its deep green spiky leaves and vibrant red berries is the perfect integration of festive colours and a perfect, vibrant name for your little one.
Alba
Alba is fourth on the list of most popular winter-inspired baby names. From the Latin meaning “white” and the Spanish “dawn”, Alba is the perfect winter name: a merging of images of stunning winter sunrises and the sparkling white light of snow.
Lucia
A name which comes from the Latin for ‘light’. Just as your little one born in winter will be a beautiful light in the darkness of the season, Lucia evokes the image of a lamp flickering in the dark. There are few scenes more beautiful than light in the depths of winter, the dawn glowing on frost-laden hills as the night becomes day. Also, Love Island's Shaughna Phillips's baby name of choice.
If you're looking for some boy name inspiration with hints of winter and Christmas, then look no further than these.
Blake
Blake is the most popular winter-themed baby boy name in the UK, with 619 baby boys given the name in 2022. It's a quintessential name for a baby boy born in winter given that (ironically) the name means both “dark” and “pale,” from the Old English 'blac' , evoking the beautiful contrast of dark winter nights and pure-white, snowy landscapes.
Robin
Robin is the second most popular winter-inspired baby boy name in the UK. From the Old French Robert, meaning “bright fame”, Robin emphasises the boldness of winter colours: fires crackling in bleak forests, leaves turning red and brown, and the raw starkness of winter sunrises. Robins are also beautiful birds with burnished, red breasts that we associate strongly with Christmas and winter in British tradition.
Nicholas
Nicholas is of course linked to Saint Nicholas, the generous saint who is the inspiration for Santa Claus today. There are few more beloved traditions in winter than hanging up your stocking for Santa Claus to fill with presents, and the name Nicholas will bring an air of warmth and sense of generosity and richness to your family.
Orion
A Greek name with a mysterious origin - potentially from 'horion' (boundary) or 'ouranos' (heaven) - Orion is a starkly visible constellation during the winter months. A beautiful beacon of light on a clear and freezing winter night, the name Orion evokes the beauty of the stars sparkling in the pitch blackness of the universe.
Fergus
From the Scottish Gaelic 'Fearghas' , meaning “man of strength”, Fergus is a perfect reflection of the rugged hardiness we require to survive freezing winters, and the resilience, strength and handsomeness of winter landscapes.
Olaf
Olaf is a name of Old Norse origin, which means “ancestor’s descendant”, and is associated with the wintry Nordic and Scandinavian countries and their icy heritage and history. Olaf is also a beloved figure from Disney’s Frozen.
