The name was also the most popular in Glasgow, and ranked fourth nationwide, behind Noah, Luca, and Rory.

Lily was the most popular girls’ name in Edinburgh, ahead of Emily, Isla, Sofia, and Freya.

Nationwide, Freya ranked as the most popular girls’ name and climbed from third place to top the rankings, ahead of Isla and Olivia.

Expect to see more Freyas and Muhammads around Edinburgh in years to come © Photo by Rene Terp: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-hands-holding-baby-feet-325690/
Expect to see more Freyas and Muhammads around Edinburgh in years to come © Photo by Rene Terp

The most popular boys’ names in the City of Edinburgh Council area are as follows:

  • Muhammad
  • Noah
  • Rory
  • Finlay
  • Leo
  • Oliver
  • Finn
  • Alexander
  • Luca
  • Charlie
  • Freddie

Freddie and Charlie were tied for 10th most popular, with 17 babies each.

The 11 most popular girls’ names in Edinburgh are as follows:

  • Lily
  • Emily
  • Isla
  • Sofia
  • Freya
  • Amelia
  • Maeve
  • Maya
  • Nina
  • Sophia
  • Sophie

Emily and Isla were tied for second place, while Maeve, Maya, Nina, Sophia, and Sophie were tied for 7th place.

268 babies in Scotland were given the name Freya in 2025. It had been in the top three girls’ names for the previous three years but this is the first time it has hit the top spot.

Noah retained its place at number one for boys. 318 babies were given the name, and it’s been in the top three since 2020.

For girls, the biggest climbers within the top 100 were Lilly and Matilda, which both moved up 55 places to 83rd and 93rd respectively. Darcy moved up by 52 places to 100th and Margot up by 45 to 79th.

Soaring up the boys’ top 100 were Vinnie up 70 places to 95th, Cooper up 42 places to 79th and Ruaridh up 33 places to 52nd.

NRS Statistician Anouska Pandya said: “NRS sends congratulations to everyone who welcomed babies in 2025.

“It’s always exciting to see a name reach the number one spot for the first time. Freya has taken a long time to reach the top. The name ranked 578th in the 1970s and rose in popularity each decade until arriving at number 1 in 2025.”

There are now a record number of names in use for boys (3957). There are still many more names in use for girls (4603) but that number has fallen slightly since 2024.

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