The elusive street artist known as Banksy has become an unlikely source of inspiration for parents, with five babies born in England and Wales last year given the artist's moniker. The name's appearance in official birth registration data from the Office for National Statistics places it at number 3,864.
Banksy's name first appeared in the records in 2021, when three boys were registered with it. For parents seeking a direct connection to the artist's potential identity, the name Robin, after businessman Robin Gunningham who was identified as Banksy by The Mail on Sunday in 2008, remains an option.
Shifting Naming Trends
Beyond the influence of street art, the name Jude has experienced a significant surge in popularity. A decade ago, it was not among the top 50 most common boys' names, but it has now climbed to the 14th position. This rise is partly attributed to the prominence of England football star Jude Bellingham, whose performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026 is expected to further boost the name's appeal.
Another name entering the top ten for boys is Luca, joining established favorites like Oliver and Arthur. Leading the list for boys for the third consecutive year is Muhammad, with a 4% increase in usage compared to the previous year, with 5,957 babies given this name in 2025 with that specific spelling.
For girls, Olivia has maintained its top position for the tenth consecutive year. Lily secured the second spot, potentially influenced by actresses Lily Collins and Lily James. The top five girls' names were rounded out by Amelia, Isla, and Florence.
Royal Names and Shifting Fortunes
Royal-associated names continue to be a factor, though some have seen a slight decline. George ranked seventh with 3,082 registrations in 2025, while William was 25th, Louis 49th, and Charlotte 25th.
In contrast, the name Meghan has seen a notable decrease in popularity. Following an initial increase after the engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in November 2017, only 12 babies were given the name last year.