While tradition is still the golden rule at Buckingham Palace, the contemporary English home has embraced the latest trend of unique and unusual baby names.  With the 2007 statistics reigning in the proof, more English parents are opting for the exception rather than the rule than ever before.  
 

Although the traditional name Grace still came in first among baby girls named in 2007, the surprise of the year was the girl name “Ruby.”  In a mere 4 years’ time, the name jumped from number 50 to the second most loved baby girl name in the country!  The name Ruby was once commonly used as a shortened version of the Hebrew name Reuben, meaning “behold, a son.”   Contemporary usage has made the name applicable for both genders, and many refer to the precious stone as the inspiration for the name.  The baby name Summer was another big surprise, rising up a whopping 40 places since 2004.  If the trend continues, the name can easily become among the first five in the next few years.

While Ruby and Summer are bringing the unusual into the mainstream, unique spelling variations on long time favorites are gaining incredible popularity.  The medieval Spanish name Isabel has sparked the most creativity among today’s English parents.  With spelling variations such as Isabella, Isabelle, and Isobel spread out on the chart, the name may as well be in the top ten for 2007. 

With exotic names on the rise, some old time traditional favorites are falling off the charts.  The names Georgina, Louise, Eloise, Lara, and surprisingly Katherine have completely disappeared from the top 100.  Only time will tell if these classics will one day come back as the latest unique name trend for their lack of use.

The girl names to look out for in the next few years are Lexie, Layla, Lacey, Isla, Skye, Sienna and Lola, with Lola gaining popularity at the fastest rate, rising 42 places in only two years!  All 8 names were virtually non-existent on the top charts before 2005.

Although long time cultural giants such as Victoria, Eleanor and Elizabeth may never leave the charts and the hearts of English parents, a definite trend for the exotic and multicultural is swiftly and steadily taking the country, and the rest of the English speaking world by storm. 

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