Philip, Holly, Meghan, and Harry Experience Decline as BabyCentre Reveals Top Names Influenced by TV, Film, and Eurovision
The first half of 2023 has seen a significant shift in the popularity of baby names, with Philip, Holly, Meghan, and Harry facing a decline in their rankings on BabyCentre’s charts. This shift can be attributed to recent controversies surrounding these names in the realm of celebrities. BabyCentre, a leading resource for pregnancy and parenting, has released its list of the top 100 baby names for boys and girls, shedding light on the prevailing trends influencing parents’ naming choices.
While the negative associations with certain celebrity names have deterred parents from selecting them, BabyCentre’s data highlights the influence of Eurovision, TV shows, films, and the quaint cottagecore aesthetic as sources of inspiration for baby names.
The involvement of Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, popular presenters of the TV show “This Morning,” in various controversies over the past few months, such as queuegate and Philip’s undisclosed relationship with a younger colleague, has caused their names to plummet in popularity. Holly, which had consistently ranked high in previous years, has now fallen outside the top 100. Similarly, Philip and its variant Phil have also dropped in popularity, with only one registration recorded this year.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also made headlines with the release of their controversial documentary and Harry’s memoir titled “Spare.” Consequently, their names have experienced a decline in registrations, with Harry dropping ten places from number 13 to number 23. Even alternate spellings like Meghan and Megan have witnessed a decrease in popularity.
Sarah Redshaw, the managing editor for BabyCentre, acknowledges the impact of media coverage on naming choices, stating, “Regardless of whether one follows celebrity drama or not, it has been challenging to avoid the recent media outbreaks. Undoubtedly, the negative press surrounding some celebrity names has played a role in their decreasing popularity among parents this year. It remains to be seen how quickly reputations can turn around and whether names like Philip, Holly, Meghan, and Harry can regain their former appeal.”
While real-life gossip has influenced the decline of certain names, on-screen dramas have propelled others to rise in popularity. Fans of the HBO series “Succession” have witnessed names like Logan and Roman climb the charts, reflecting the influence of these characters. Frankie, a name associated with the show’s character Frank, has also entered the top 100. Similarly, names inspired by the series “Bridgerton” and Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” have made their mark, with names like Charlotte, Violet, Penelope, Ariella, Ariel, Sebastian, and Indira gaining popularity.
The adaptation of the beloved childhood classic “Matilda” by Netflix has led to an increase in the popularity of names associated with the story. The name Matilda itself has soared 23 places to number 32. Other names like Tommy and Lavender have also seen a surge in registrations. However, the name Agatha, associated with the character Trunchbull, has experienced a decrease in popularity.
The UK’s successful hosting of Eurovision 2023 has not only captured the attention of millions but has also influenced parents’ naming choices. Sam Ryder, a fan favorite and runner-up from the previous year, has entered the top 100 as a new entry, while Maeve, the UK’s 2023 entrant, has climbed five places to number 62. Another name, Mae, has remained popular among parents despite not ranking within the top 100.
In a departure from the Victorian vintage trend, parents have embraced classic names from the Gen X era. Names like John and Sarah have reemerged in the top 100 as new entries, accompanied by David and James, which have seen significant increases in popularity. This trend may have contributed to Sebastian’s rise in the rankings as well. For girls, Niamh has joined Sarah as a new entry, while names like Layla, Penelope, and Maria have experienced upward movement.
The rising popularity of the cottagecore aesthetic, which romanticises a simple and nature-focused lifestyle, has influenced the choice of flower-inspired names. Lily has claimed the top spot, followed by Jasmine and Dahlia, which have seen notable increases in registrations. Tree-inspired names like Willow and Hazel have also gained popularity, reflecting a growing preference for nature-themed names.
The announcement of BabyCentre’s top 100 most popular names at the end of each year is highly anticipated by parents who are curious about the nation’s naming trends. However, the mid-year rankings offer an early glimpse into the emerging trends. In the boys’ category, Muhammed retains its position at the top, while names like Noah, Theo, Leo, and Oliver continue to hold strong in the remaining top five spots. Arthur has made a significant leap, climbing five places to reach number six and displacing Jack from its previous position. George and Luca have experienced a slight decline, while Freddie has risen two places to claim number eight.
Among girls’ names, Lily has claimed the pole position, surpassing the previous chart-topper Sophia. The popularity of names ending with the letter “A” remains strong, as Amelia, Freya, and Aria have all risen two places in the rankings. Ivy, on the other hand, has experienced a decline, making way for the impressive ascent of Mila, which has surged 31 places to secure the tenth spot.
The first half of 2023 has brought about notable shifts in baby name preferences, influenced by a mix of celebrity controversies, TV shows, films, Eurovision, and the rise of cottagecore. As parents continue to seek unique and meaningful names for their children, these trends offer insights into the ever-evolving landscape of naming choices.
