Popular Names from the 1990s

Love 1990s baby names? The 1990s in the UK were defined by the rise of Cool Britannia and Britpop. It was a decade of cultural confidence and rapid social change, and one that had a distinctive choice of baby names for boys and girls. 30 years on, the decade’s most recognisable names are now much less common, meaning they are both familiar and refreshingly different from the choices dominating the 2020s baby name lists.

Based on ONS historical data of the top 100 baby names in England and Wales, here are the most popular baby names from the 1990s. We explore the top 10 baby names for boys and girls from the 1990s in the UK, as well as the origin and meaning of each 90s name.

Highlights

• The most popular baby names in the UK during the 1990s included classic and traditional choices influenced by biblical, royal, and cultural trends.
• We look at the top 10 baby names for boys and girls from the 1990s for boys and girls, with classic name choices and more modern options for the era.
• For girls, names like Rebecca, Lauren and Jesscia were widely used as baby names.
• Thomas, James and Jack were among the most popular 90s names for boys.

Most Popular 1990s Baby Names

1990s Girl Names

1. Rebecca

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: The number one most popular name for girls in the 1990s, Rebecca is a biblical name with Hebrew origins, derived from the name Hebrew name Rivkah, meaning to tie, bind or to join. Rebecca was the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Book of Genesis. It’s also a name commonly found in classic literature, and is the title character from the Daphne du Marrier novel Rebecca.

2. Lauren

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Lauren means laurel plant, or crowned with laurel. Lauren is the feminine form of the name Laurence, which stems from the ancient Roman name Laurentius, meaning ‘from Laurentum,’ which was an ancient Italian city, famous for the laurel plant. A woven laurel wreath was used to crown athletes and scholars, making the name synonymous with success, victory and wisdom.

3. Jessica

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Jessica means ‘God beholds,’ but did you know the name Jessica was created by William Shakespeare? He coined the name in 1597 for the character Shylock's daughter in his play The Merchant of Venice, by anglicizing the biblical name Iscah (the niece of Abraham who appears in the Old Testament). Famous Jessicas include actors Jessica Chastain, Jessica Biel and Jessica Alba.

4. Charlotte

Origin: French              

Meaning: While Charlotte was one of the most popular names in the 90s, it is a timeless classic. The Charlotte meaning is free man or petite and it is the feminine version of the French male name Charles. Charlotte is strongly associated with royalty, from Queen Charlotte (wife of King George III) to the modern day Princess Charlotte of Wales. One of the most well-known authors from the Victorian Era is Charlotte Brontë, who wrote Jane Eyre.

5. Hannah

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: The meaning of the name Hannah is grace or favour. Hannah was known in the bible for her religious devotion and repeated prayers for a son, and her example is used as the foundation for how silent, devoted prayer should be conducted in Judaism. Hannah as a name crosses cultures and is considered to have a timeless appeal. The names Ann and Anna are derived from Hannah.

6. Sophie

Origin: French / Greek

Meaning: The meaning of Sophie is wisdom, and while it is derived from ancient Greek, the name also has French language origins. Famous Sophies include actors Sophie Turner and Sophie Okendao, and ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

7. Amy

Origin: French / Latin

Meaning: Amy is a name with French and Latin roots which means loved or well-loved, derived from the Old French word amée and the Latin amatus. Used as a name for girls since the Middle Ages, famous women named Amy include singer Amy Winehouse and actor Amy Adams.

8. Emily

Origin: Latin / English

Meaning: The Emily meaning is rival, or to strive. The name is derived from the Roman family name Aemilius and the Latin word aemulus, and it is the feminine form of the name Emil. Strong historical figures named Emily cemented the name as a timeless classic, including Wuthering Heights author Emily Brontë, poet Emily Dickinson and suffragette Emily Davison. In modern times it’s the name of Mary Poppins actor Emily Blunt and the title character of the Netflix programme Emily In Paris.

9. Laura

Origin: Latin

Meaning: With similar origins to the name Lauren, Laura means laurel plant, or crowned with laurel. A name derived from the ancient Roman word laurus, for the laurel plant, it is synonymous with success, victory and wisdom as the laurel wreath was woven to crown athletes and scholars.

10. Emma

Origin: German

Meaning: Emma is a Germanic name derived from ermen, meaning ‘whole’ or ‘universal.’ It became popular in the Middle Ages due to Emma of Normandy, a noblewoman who became queen of England, Denmark and Norway through her marriages to King Æthelred the Unready and King Cnut the Great. Famous Emmas include actors Emma Stone, Emma Watson and Emma Thompson. Rachel Green’s baby in the sitcom Friends was named Emma.

1990s Boy Names

1. Thomas

Origin: Greek / Latin

Meaning: The meaning of Thomas is twin. St Thomas was one of the Twelve Apostles, who refused to believe Jesus had been resurrected without touching his crucifixion wounds, a biblical story that coined the phrase ‘doubting Thomas.’ Thomas has variants in different languages and cultures, including the Spanish and Portuguese Tomás, the Italian Tommaso, and Polish Tomek.

2. James

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Did you know 13 Scottish and English monarchs have used the name James? A classic name for boys, it signifies strength and leadership. The name has Hebrew origins, from the name Yaakov (Jacob), meaning supplanter. As well as a royal name, James is a prominent biblical name, as James, the son of Apostle Zebedee and James, brother of Jesus.

3. Jack

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: God is gracious. Jack originated as a medieval nickname of the name John, from the Hebrew name Yochanan. It is also associated with the French name Jacques, the equivalent of James or Jacob. During the Middle Ages, in the UK the name John / Jack was so common as a men’s name that it was a slang word for an ordinary working man, hence the terms lumberjack and jack of all trades, and the name of the main character in Jack and the Beanstalk.

4. Daniel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: With the meaning of God is my judge, Daniel has Hebrew origins and as a name it represents loyalty, wisdom, and faith. A classical biblical name that is popular around the world, the name has links to the prophet Daniel in the Old Testament, a figure known for surviving the lions' den by displaying strong faith while in captivity.

5. Matthew

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: The name Matthew is of Hebrew origin, derived from Mattityahu, meaning ‘gift of God.’ It is a classic boy's name with deep biblical roots, referring to one of the twelve apostles and author of the first Gospel. Variations of Matthew include Matteo (Italian), Matthieu or Mathieu (French), Matthias (German) and Mateo (Spanish).

6. Ryan

Origin: Irish / Gaelic

Meaning: Little king. The name Ryan is derived from the Irish name Rían, from the Gaelic word rí, meaning king, so the name is often associated with noble lineage. It is also sourced from the Irish surname Ó Riain or Ó Riagháin, which means descendant of Rían. Famous Ryans include Ryan Gosling, the actor and football entrepreneur.

7. Joshua

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Popular during the 1990s, the name Joshua is derived from the Hebrew name Yehoshua, meaning God is salvation. Joshua is a key biblical figure, known for his role as Moses’ successor, who lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

8. Luke

Origin: Greek / Hebrew

Meaning: The boys name Luke originates from the Greek name Loukas, from the Latin name Lucas. The meaning is ‘man from Lucania,’ which was an ancient region in Italy. It is also associated with the Latin word lux, meaning light. Luke is a key biblical figure who authored two major New Testament texts: the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

9. Samuel

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: Samuel means ‘God has heard’ or ‘name of God.’ It is derived from the Hebrew phrase Shemu'el, which combines the words shem (name) or shama (to hear) with El (God). Fanous historical Samuels include diarist Samuel Pepys, playwright Samuel Beckett, writer Samuel Johnson and the modern day actor Samuel L. Jackson.

10. Jordan

Origin: Hebrew

Meaning: The name Jordan is derived from the Hebrew word Yarden, which translates to ‘flow down’ or ‘descending.’ It is a reference to the River Jordan in the Middle East, which flows toward the Dead Sea. Famous modern day Jordans include England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and golfer Jordan Spieth.

Unique & Underrated 1990s Names Worth Reviving

The following names all appear at the bottom of the list of popular names in the 1990s, meaning they were not as common or frequently used as choices at the top of the list, so are strong choices if you are looking for unique and underrated 1990s names for boys and girls.

Owen

Origin: Welsh / Irish Gaelic

Meaning: Noble born or well born. In Welsh mythology, Owen - also spelled Owain or Ywain - was a legendary 6th-century Welsh prince who later inspired the stories of the Knights of the Round Table in Arthurian legends. It is also derived from the Gaelic name Eoghan which means ‘born of the yew tree,’ an evergreen plant that symbolises longevity and vitality. Owen was the 99^th most popular name for boys in the 1990s and a good pick for an underrated boy’s name choice.

Jemma

Origin: English / Italian / Hebrew

Meaning: The 99^th most popular choice for girls in the 1990s, Jemma is an alternative spelling of the more popular name Gemma, which means ‘precious stone.’ In Hebrew culture, Jemma also means ‘dove.’ A famous Jemma is actors Jemma Redgrave.

Jay

Origin: English / Latin / Sanskrit / French

Meaning: Jay as a standalone name was a less popular choice as in the 1990s Jay was used as a nickname for longer boy’s names such as James or Jason. By itself, Jay has multiple meanings, including jaybird in English and victory in Sanskrit. In French it is derived from the word gai, meaning joyful.

Toni

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Another diminutive name, Toni is a short form of Antonia, however as a standalone name it was the 100^th most popular name for 1990s girls, making it a an underrated and more unique choice. The meaning is ‘priceless one,’ and the name was derived from the Roman family name Antonius. An example of a famous woman named Toni is Australian actor Toni Collette.

FAQs about 1990s Baby Names

What was the most popular baby name in the UK in the 1990s?

The most popular baby name in the UK in the 1990s was Rebecca for girls and Thomas for boys.

Why are 90s baby names becoming popular again?

Baby names from the 1990s are making a comeback in the 2020s because many of the era's most popular names are timeless classics that have become less common over time, offering parents familiar yet less frequently used alternatives to today's trending baby names.

What is the difference between 90s and 2020s baby name trends?

Baby names popular in the 1990s were drawn from a smaller pool of classic, biblical and royal-inspired choices for both boys and girls. By contrast, 2020s baby names reflect greater diversity, with parents embracing a wider range of unique, gender-neutral, nature-inspired, pop culture-influenced, and vintage names.

Which 90s baby names are considered timeless classics?

1990s names for girls that are considered timeless classics include Charlotte, Sophie and Emily. Timeless classics for boys from the 90s includes James, Jack and Samuel.

Where to find data on baby naming trends from the 1990s?

You can find data on baby naming trends from the 1990s on the ONS website.

Find Out About Our Pregnacare Range For Before And During Pregnancy

Are you trying for a baby or have just found out you are pregnant? Find out more about our Pregnacare range for before pregnancy and our pregnancy range of Pregnacare for during pregnancy.