Parenting

 by: Tony Luck

Although its popularity is declining, Jack is the most popular boys name again in England and Wales - that's 11 years at the top! However, 14% fewer boys were christened Jack last year, so we could see a change at the top in 2006. In Northern Ireland, Jack was again top and Lewis retained top spot in Scotland, with Jack the runner-up.

Jessica was the most popular girls' name in England and Wales having moved up from third in 2004. Emily, last year's top name, is in the number two spot. Olivia has climbed three places to number four, while Ellie, last year's runner-up has fallen to to sixth place.

In England & Wales climbers in the girls' table were Grace (up 4 to 7), Ruby (up 16 to 15), Evie (up 10 to 29), Phoebe (up 9 to 35), Keira (up 13 to 38) and Scarlett (up 25 to 47). New entries include Sienna at 69, Eva at 78, Demi at 80, Amelie at 82 and Ava at 84. Names to drop out of the top 100 include Jade which has tumbled from position 24 in 2001, Jennifer and Chelsea.

Boys' names are, as always, less volatile. The top four names are unchanged and there is just the one new name in the top 50 - Leo which climbs 20 places to number 37. Other climbers are Mason and Freddie, while Corey, Zachary, Zak and Hayden are new entries. Names to fall out of the top 100 are Tom and Josh.

In Scotland the top two boys' names are unchanged. Biggest movers are Callum (up 7 places to number 3), Alexander (up 8 to 17) and Aiden (up 9 to 20).

The top two girls' names have changed places with Sophie moving above Emma in popularity. other changes of note include Leah up 6 to 14, and Lauren down 6 to 20.

In N.Ireland there were few big movers in the boys' table. Biggest faller was Dylan, down 7 at 15, and the biggest climber was Jake, up 9 at 16. Patrick and David are no longer in the top 20.

There was more movement in the girls' names, although the top 2 remained the same. Climbers included Ellie, up 1 to 3; Niamh, up 2 to 5; Hannah, up 6 to 6; Anna, up 6 to 9; and Leah up 8 to 9. Fallers include Chloe down 4 to 12; Rachel down 4 to 14; and Aimee down 9 to 18.