Jack and Emily are the most popular baby names in England and Wales, according to official figures released today.

It is the ninth year in a row that Jack has topped the favourite boys' name list among new parents.

But after seven years in the top spot, Chloe has fallen from first to third place behind Emily and Ellie, the National Statistics figures for 2003 reveal.

The biblical names Joshua, Thomas, James and Daniel were popular with parents of boys. While old favourites, such as Jessica and Sophie, were chosen for girls.

Among the names that have become increasingly popular are Alfie, which has risen 31 places to number 18 on the boys' list, possibly due to the popularity of Alfie Moon, the manager of the Queen Vic in Eastenders, played by Shane Ritchie.

Freya was the highest new entry among the girls at number 41. Isabel jumped 12 places to 47, Aimee, up 16 to 49, and Ruby up 16 places to 50.

Among the more unusual names for girls are Tia, at 53, Libby at 58, Evie at 61, Eloise at 82 and Summer at 84.

A growing number of parents are also choosing to name their daughters Nadine, Honey, Tianna, Hermione, Kyla, Chardonnay, Fleur, Halle, Jorja and Sinead.

Among the boys Mackenzie, McKenzie, Flynn, Tyrese, Malachi, Malachy, Roman, Ashton, Camron, Ned and Xander are also on the increase, along with the name Jonny – the spelling of the name suggesting it is after the Rugby World Cup winning star, Jonny Wilkinson.

Other popular names include Harrison, which is up five places to 47, Archie, up five to 50, Harvey at 36 and Tyler at 35.

There were also large increases in the number of children named Poppy and Daisy, the names that Jamie Oliver, the television chef, has given his daughters, which came in at 42 and 31. Isabella, at number 37, is also becoming more popular.

Other up-and-coming names include Kian at 56, Spencer at 89, Logan at 88 and Noah at 91.