The number plate industry is constantly changing, with certain registration styles more popular than others depending on the year.
This makes sense because people buy private number plates for various reasons, from something as simple as their names or favourite football teams to a reference for a film or TV show they love.
But the question everybody is asking is what will 2025 hold for private number plates? Let's take a look.
Popular film number plates in 2025
The British public loves the cinema and 2025 is set to be a great year for Hollywood blockbusters. This means that many number plates will see a boost in popularity.
For example, Captain America: Brave New World could be Marvel’s return to form, and Rolling Stone has listed this one as one of the most anticipated films of 2025. If the film gets a good reaction, number plates like B24 CAP will be popular given that Cap is Captain America’s nickname.
Sequels are up there with the most popular form of film, and with the release of Happy Gilmore 2 on the horizon, registrations like PU71 TER will be in demand as Adam Sandler returns as an unconventional golfer with anger issues.
There’s also Mickey 17, which will see Robert Pattinson star in Bong Joon-Ho’s first film since the Oscar-winning Parasite. This probably means high ticket sales in the UK, so 17-based number plates like JAD 17A will undoubtedly see a surge.
Football number plate trends for 2025
This year, the FIFA Club World Cup will take place, which has fans from around the world excited. The UK is full of passionate football enthusiasts, so it’ll be no surprise to see football number plates dominating the year ahead.
Chelsea, for example, are among the favourites to win the tournament and one of two English teams in the competition. This means number plates like CH17 SEA, CH20 SEA, and CH69 SEA will be highly sought after by football fans.
Of course, plenty of foreign nationals live in the UK, too, and over 135,000 of them are German. Some of these will undoubtedly support FC Bayern Munich, who are also set to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.
This means personalised registrations like FCB 805S will be popular with German expats who have vehicles registered in the UK.
Popular regional events in 2025
The British are nothing if not proud of where they’re from, making regional number plates popular in any given year. In 2025, this trend will continue, particularly in specific months when local events are taking place.
The Great North Run, for example, takes place on September 7th 2025 and is one of the jewels in Newcastle’s crown. People come from all over the world to compete, and Mo Farah ended his career at the 2023 Great North Run, which makes it even more special. In terms of number plates, we expect plenty of Geordie-themed registrations to be popular.
Many Geordie locals will get creative and make plates like G22 AYE, F24 AYE, and MU22 AYE popular in 2025. Other Geordie phrases like pet could also become an inspiration for private registrations, with the likes of CA20 PET, for example, which is also great for carpet business owners looking to spruce up their work vehicles.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is another hugely important regional event and one of the most iconic comedy festivals in the world. This means that funny number plates and rude private number plates will be popular around August with people in Edinburgh and those visiting from elsewhere in the UK.
There are no limits to people’s imagination when it comes to funny and rude registrations, but plates like P23 RVY, ON69 TOP, CH23 EKY, and GO70 CHA, are set to be popular with UK number plate enthusiasts.
Popular baby names in 2025
Private number plates make great investments, and buying a personalised reg for your baby gives them a valuable asset to sell or use on their vehicle in later life.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the most popular baby names in the past couple of years include Olivia, Amelia, and Isla for girls, and Muhammad, Noah, and Oliver for boys born in England and Wales.
Leo, Harry, Harper, and Ada are also more popular than ever, as well as more traditional names like Marve, Ben, and Reuben.
Name number plates are up there with the most popular number plate style in the UK, and since more people are realising the investment potential of personalised reg, we’ll likely see plates like OL21 YVA, NO21 AHS, HA22 RYV, HA21 RYY, HA24 RYS, HA71 ZZA, and HA20 PER rise in popularity.
Number plate releases in 2025
Of course, while names and events are great for predicting number plate trends, number plate releases also play a substantial role.
That’s why 25 series number plates will be seen all over the roads, as they’ll adorn brand-new vehicles registered from March 1st, 2025. For this reason, plates like RO25 LYN, SK25 ODA, and VA25 RDY will be popular.
From September 1st, 2025, 75 series registrations will also be issued on new vehicles, and you can register your interest in a 75 series number plate online to have yours in time for the official release date.
