21/3/2008

Jack and Ruby were the most popular names given to babies in Wales in 2007. Ruby came from relative obscurity to become the sixth most popular girls' name in 2006. The name then moved up five places to claim the number one spot in 2007.

Top ten names:

1 Jack, Ruby
2 Dylan, Megan
3 Thomas, Grace
4 Joshua, Chloe
5 Rhys, Emily
6 Daniel, Ffion
7 Ethan, Olivia
8 Oliver, Seren
9 William, Ella
10 James, Sophie

Jack was the most popular boys' name in Wales for the second year running and also the most popular boys' name in England and Northern Ireland in 2007.

The figures come today from the Office for National Statistics.

The top five male names in 2007 were the same as 2006, although some positions changed. Joshua, which had been the most popular boys' name in both 2004 and 2005, slipped to fourth in 2007 while Dylan remained in
second place.

Thomas has consistently occupied a top five position over
the last three years and moved up to third in 2007 - its highest position since 2004.

Rhys remained at number five, a position it first held in 2006.

Names new to the top ten were William, (up 3 places to ninth) and James (up 1 place to tenth). The popularity of the forenames Ethan (7th) and Daniel (6th) fluctuated over the years but they still maintain a top ten position.

In 2007, Ruby replaced Megan as the most popular girls' name in Wales. Chloe returned to a top five position (up 3 places to fourth) in 2007 after dropping from second place to 7th in 2006.

The popularity of Welsh forenames has remained constant in recent years with two of the top five boys' names being Welsh names. Dylan (2nd) and Rhys (5th) continue to be the most popular Welsh forenames for boys.

Megan (2nd) continues to be the most popular Welsh forename for girls. Seren (8th) is new to the top ten and Ffion (6th) has maintained a top ten
position since 2004.