Olivia was the most popular name given to girl babies in England and Wales in 2006 up three places from last year.    In the girls top five, Grace climbed five places to number two. Last years top name, Jessica, dropped two places to number three, Ruby shot up 11 places to number four while Emily (number one in 2004 and 2003) slipped three places to number five. There are three new entries in the girls top 50 - Imogen (up 17 places to number 48), Sophia (up 13 to number 49) and Anna, which dropped out last year, climbed back two places to number 50. Libby, Aimee and Niamh dropped out of the girls top 50 this year.

Gaining popularity among girls names this year are Evie (up eight to number 21) Freya (up eight to number 23), Poppy (up nine to number 30) and Jasmine (up ten to number 31). The names we were watching for 2006:- Sophie did not make number one, it dropped 3, down to 6. Olivia and Grace made it to positions one and two. Evie is still moving fast up the charts, now number 21. (2001 to 2006 - 93, 83, 61, 39, 29, 21 ). Other climbers are the similar sounding Eva (76) and Ava (64) both new entries in 2004.       Names to watch in 2007:- Evie, Imogen, Poppy and Zara.