Netflix, pop, sport and celebrity set to influence 2023 baby name choices with Wednesday, Saint and Billie amongst those tipped to spike
EXPECTANT parents with their finger on the pulse of popular culture will be swayed by a bizarre range of influences when choosing the name of their new arrivals this year.
That's according to research indicating how Netflix's biggest shows, the enduring popularity of the Kardashian family franchise and even Peaky Blinders' characters play into the national consciousness when making that most personal of choices.
There are likely to be stark differences on either side of the border though with England's 2022 World Cup squad likely to spark a rise in the choice of Jude and Jack – after the antics of football stars Bellingham and Grealish – down south.
RELATED: Top names in the Highlands revealed in new chart
Is your name on the storm list?
The name Jude saw a huge spike in Google searches during the opening days of the tournament, and is predicted to rise in the charts as a result. Jack is also set to spike in popularity after Grealish stole hearts with his goal celebration for Finlay, a young fan with cerebral palsy.
According to the predictions list, released today by British name label manufacturer mynametags.com, it won’t just be sport that influences the next generation of parents’ choice of baby name.
The Netflix show Wednesday, which became the second-most watched English language show ever, led to a considerable spike in the number of Google searches for that girls’ name.
Also influenced by TV shows, the names Arthur and Tommy – after the iconic Peaky Blinders characters – have been consistently popular since the release of the first series in 2013. Following the airing of its final episode in 2022, the names are predicted to remain favour throughout 2023. The name Arthur took third spot in the charts in 2020 after the release of series five.
The Kardashians’ unique choices of monikers are also expected to influence baby names in 2023. In England and Wales, Kim Kardashian’s choice of the name Saint for her first-born son back in 2015 influenced the charts with the name rising tenfold, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.
The sisters' name influence is predicted to continue this year once sister’s Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner reveal the names of their newborns.
Popular musicians also never fail to make a splash on the baby name scene with popular songs having a direct correlation on amount of babies being given the artist’s name. For example, the name Billie has risen considerably in popularity, from rank 346th in 2018, to 229th in 2021, after Billie Eilish shot to fame. The name is predicted to grow in popularity in 2023 following the release of the songstress’ second album, Happier Than Ever.
Lars B Andersen, managing director at My Nametags, said: “We know from experience that baby name trends are often influenced by pop-culture, including TV, film, and celebrities. Sporting personalities make excellent role models, so it’s no surprise that parents continue to be inspired by their generation’s biggest heroes when it comes to naming their children.
“2022 was a huge year for football fans, we can definitely expect the men’s World Cup and Women’s Euros teams to have a significant impact on the name charts over the next year, especially with the Women’s World Cup taking place this summer. Popular TV shows and artists continue to have a major influence over the popularity of certain names as they give inspiration but also confidence to parents, especially with unusual names like Wednesday.”
