REVEALED: The most popular baby names in Southampton - and the top boy name will surprise you!

Last year 3,152 babies were born in the area, 1,613 boys and 1,539 girls.

Parents in Southampton didn't follow the national baby-naming trend for boys, with Oliver failing to make the top spot.

But Olivia, the nation's favourite name for girls, topped the charts for Southampton parents last year.

The second most popular name for baby boys in the area was Oliver.

That was also the most popular boys name in the New Forest, Test Valley, Fareham and Eastleigh.

Amelia took second place for baby girls in Southampton, and the third most popular name was Isabella.

Across the region the most popular girls names were Ava (New Forest), Amelia (Eastleigh), Florence (Test Valley) and Isla (Fareham.)

In Winchester Harry and Olivia were the most popular names,

Nick Stripe, of the ONS, said: "Although Oliver and Olivia remained the most popular baby names in 2017, some fascinating changes took place beneath them.

"Leo entered the boys' top 10 for the first time, while Hunter rocketed into the top 100, also for the first time, reaching number 78.

"Sarah, the most popular name for baby girls throughout much of the 1970s and 1980s, dropped out of the top 100 for the first time since our records began in 1904. Brand new entries into the top 100 for girls include the names Aurora and Hallie."

In England and Wales, royal references continue with Harry and George remaining the second and third most popular names respectively since 2016.

Amelia was the second most popular name for girls, with Isla moving up to third place.

Nearly 700,000 babies were born last year in England and Wales and over 63,000 unique baby names were registered.

New entries into the top 100 most popular boys' names included Hunter and Ralph, Hunter for the first time and Ralph for the first time since 1944.

There were six new names in the 100 most popular girls' names - Aurora, Orla, Edith, Bonnie, Lyla and Hallie.