Most Popular Baby Names 2014: 8 Trends Revealed Including Royalty, Downton Abbey And The Kardashians
Baby Names Trends Show Parents Inspired By Downton Abbey And Game Of Thrones
Amy Packham— The Huffington Post
|
The top baby names for 2014 have been released by the Office for National Statistics and the results show some interesting trends.
The baby-naming data from 2014 suggests parents' have been turning to pop culture, as well as going back in time when looking for baby name inspiration.
The most popular girl's and boy's name - Amelia and Oliver - were quite traditional, but less-traditional names are gaining popularity in the top 100, too.
The "Prince George" effect seems to have pushed the name George three places in the top 10 to number seven for boys.
Juliet Blank, Associate Editor at parenting site Netmums told HuffPost UK Parents: "Harry and William are still reigning high too.
"Of the girls names, Isla has climbed to third place after it was chosen by Royals Peter Philips and wife Autumn.
"And although Princess Charlotte was only born this year, it's interesting to see Lottie, the shortened version of
Charlotte, jumping 20 places to number 87."
Open Image Modal
2. Historical origins.
Siobhan Freegard, founder of video parenting site Channel Mum, said this year's list shows a growing trend for parents searching back through history for inspiration.
Freegard told HuffPost UK Parents: "While Victorian and Edwardian names have been popular for some time now, this year’s list shows parents are now searching even to the Middle Ages. Meanwhile more modern names are tumbling down the chart.
"New boy’s entry Ellis [number 94] is a Middle English version of Elijah, while Elijah itself has jumped 16 places in popularity to 53.
"Another new entry, Jackson, is a trendy name recently chosen by film director Spike Lee, but has its origins with 14th Century Scots and English families meaning ‘Son of Jack’.
"New top 100 girl’s name Darcie [number 81] was first used in the middle ages in France, and while the Beckhams have undoubtedly helped to popularise Harper, it’s another Middle English name deriving from ‘harp player’."
3. Game Of Thrones.
The 'Stark' family in the hit TV series seems to be having the greatest influence on baby names - 53 babies were named Khaleesi, 244 babies were named Arya and some parens opted for Daenerys (nine babies), Sansa (six babies) and Brienne (four babies).
For the boys, 'Tyrion' has had a big boost in popularity with 17 babies being given the name compared to five in 2013, as well as Theon which was the name given to 18 babies in 2014 compared to 11 in 2013.
4. Frozen.
It probably comes as no surprise that the hit Disney film Frozen has inspired a boost in the popularity of the name 'Elsa'. In 2014, 537 girls were called Elsa in the UK and Wales, compared to 286 in 2013 and 286 in 2012.
However, her sister Anna proves less popular, and there has actually been a decrease in the number of babies given that name (from 1,612 in 2000 to 804 in 2014 ). Kristoff and Olaf made a splash on the charts with three and 52 babies being given those names respectively. This is the first year Kristoff has appeared in the rankings.
After Rita Ora's debut album came out in 2012, the name has started to be given to more and more children year on year. In 2014, 65 babies were given the name Rita, compared to 57 in 2013 and 40 in 2012.
Iggy Azalea, released her new album in 2014 and this could possibly be the cause behind an increase of babies being called Azalea as 19 babies were given this name in 2013 compared to 30 babies in 2014.
Open Image Modal
6. X-Men.
There were 2,813 baby boys given the name Logan last year after the X-Men film, The Wolverine came out. The name has seen a steady rise since 2009 (when X Men Origins: Wolverine was launched), with 2,196 babies being named Logan in 2009 and this number gradually rising every single year.
7. The Kardashians.
Since the show first aired in 2007, the names Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall and Kim have all seen an increase.
However last year Kim has decreased in popularity. In 1996, the name Kim was given to 87 babies, but in 2014 only 19 babies were given the name.
Khloe was the most popular name of the Kardashian clan, given to 106 babies (but a decrease from 116 the year before), and Kendall saw the biggest increase in a year, given to 52 babies in 2013 and 80 babies in 2014.
Open Image Modal
8. Downton Abbey.
Names that were popular at the turn of the last century (1904) have increased in popularity since around 2004, and have all experienced a spike in popularity after Downton Abbey first aired in 2010.
Edith, Violet and Rose were all in the top 30 names in 1904 and have all seen a constant gradual rise since 2010.
Edith was given to 456 babies (318 in 2013), Cora to 206 babies (149 in 2013), Violet to 756 babies (709 in 2013) and Rose to 990 babies (823 in 2013).
Open Image Modal
Vintage Baby Names Ready For A Comeback
20 Vintage Baby Names(01 of21)
Open Image Modal
For Girls(02 of21)
Open Image Modal
BerylGiven to only three babies in 2013, Beryl is one of the jewel names that first became popular in the late 19th century. Varieties of the precious stone include emerald and aquamarine as well as the traditional red beryl.Novelist Beryl Bainbridge and iconic artist Beryl Cook are among famous bearers. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(03 of21)
Open Image Modal
JosephineAlthough "Jo" can still be heard as a shortening of Joanna or Joanne, the name Josephine has largely fallen out of favour -- only 187 girls were called it in 2013 -- but we think it deserves to make a comeback. After all, Louisa May Alcott's novel "Little Women" remains a popular classic, so why not the name of its spirited heroine? (credit:Getty)
For Girls(04 of21)
Open Image Modal
AudreyBanish all thoughts of Coronation Street's Audrey Roberts from your mind, and focus instead on the timeless elegance and sophistication of Audrey Hepburn. Still an icon to girls and women today, the actress' sense of style, charm and devotion to charity work make her a worthy namesake. In fact, the US is already taking notice -- Audrey is now among the top 50 girls' names stateside. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(05 of21)
Open Image Modal
SylviaFrom a Latin root meaning "woods," Sylvia has a delicious snaking sound to it which indeed calls to mind a forest of whispering trees. Although only 42 girls were named Sylvia in 2013, it could easily sit alongside the likes of Amelia, Olivia and Sophia, all of which made the top 20 the same year. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(06 of21)
Open Image Modal
MarthaLong-ignored, Martha is now steadily marching its way back up the baby name list. In 1996, it was languishing at 214th, but in 2013 it had risen to 73rd most popular name choice for girls in the UK.Biblical in origin, it means "lady" and was famously borne by Martha Washington, the original First Lady of the USA. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(07 of21)
Open Image Modal
NoraA snappy, no-nonsense name which retains a feminine ring, this is the perfect candidate for a revival. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(08 of21)
Open Image Modal
ClaraClara Bow, nicknamed "The It Girl" for her indefinable on-screen charisma, made a splash with 1920s audiences for her scandalous portrayals of feisty, modern women in films like "The Wild Party" and "Ladies of the Mob." What better choice, then, for a 21st century baby name?Derived from the Latin word for "clear" or "bright," Clara comes from the same name family as Clare/Claire and the Italian name Chiara. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(09 of21)
Open Image Modal
LillianLily is riding high in the name popularity stakes at the moment, and this elongated French version of Lily makes for a nice twist on the current trend.Namesakes include fiery left-wing playwright Lillian Hellman and silent movie icon Lillian Gish. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(10 of21)
Open Image Modal
MabelThe name has enjoyed a sharp rise in popularity in recent years, so get in while you can. Shorten it to 'Mabes' or 'Mabey' for a more contemporary feel. (credit:Getty)
For Girls(11 of21)
Open Image Modal
EstherOne of the Jewish heroines of the Old Testament, Esther -- which comes from the Persian for star -- was a popular name choice back in 1914, but was given to only 329 girls last year.Combining the regal dignity of its biblical namesake with a unique sound which eschews the usual feminine name endings like "a" and "ia," Esther is a great compromise between tradition and innovation. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(12 of21)
Open Image Modal
ErnestA Victorian favourite with a solid, reliable ring to it, Ernest, or Ernie, is a name on the rise (it's risen almost 1000 places in popularity since 1996) so get in before it takes off big time.It means "serious," and like many popular 19th century names it comes from German. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(13 of21)
Open Image Modal
FrankYou'd trust a Frank, wouldn't you? British parents have already dipped their toe in the water with "Frankie," which is currently the 62nd most popular name for baby boys. But why not go the whole way, with a classic masculine moniker borne by luminaries such as Sinatra? (credit:Getty)
For Boys(14 of21)
Open Image Modal
IvorOnly 19 babies born last year were given the name Ivor, which comes from Old Norse and means "bow warrior." It has always been most popular in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Cornwall, so it's a great choice if you want to pay tribute to Gaelic heritage. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(15 of21)
Open Image Modal
EdmundOnce a firm fixture in the top 100, Edmund has slid down to 837 over the years, but it would be a shame to lose one of the oldest and most venerable names in English history. It can also be shortened to the more ordinary Eddie, which is always an advantage for a child with an uncommon name as they reach the self-conscious adolescent years. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(16 of21)
Open Image Modal
ArnoldAlfie and Archie have both proven so popular in recent years, and we think Arnie fits in with that trend perfectly. Mark our words, it's due for a comeback. Best of all, it comes from Germanic words meaning "eagle power," which is an awesome anecdote for the playground. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(17 of21)
Open Image Modal
EdgarEdgar, which means "blessed spear," has already had one massive comeback in its time, so it can surely do it again. A common name in Anglo-Saxon England, it faded out after the Norman invasion, only to spring back to life in the 18th century and remain a firm favourite throughout the Victorian and Edwardian era. Famous bearers include author Edgar Allan Poe. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(18 of21)
Open Image Modal
DouglasOne of the most powerful clans in Scottish history, Clan Douglas exerted tremendous power in the Lowlands for hundreds of years. The name, which means "dark stream" has been given to boys as a first name since the 16th century, and was still the 57th most popular choice in 1914, although it has since fallen to 338th place. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(19 of21)
Open Image Modal
VictorAlthough ancient in origin (from the Latin meaning victor, unsurprisingly), Victor remained a rare name choice until the 19th century, when Queen Victoria's popularity sent parents scurrying in search of a masculine equivalent. When giving your baby boy a solid start in life, you can't do better than a name that literally means winner. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(20 of21)
Open Image Modal
EdwinLike Edgar, Edwin was a popular Anglo-Saxon name which faded from use after the Norman conquest, only to make a return in the 19th century, as in Charles Dickens' final novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Fact: it was the given name of Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon. (credit:Getty)
For Boys(21 of21)
Open Image Modal
ClarenceOriginating from the name of a royal dukedom, Clarence still carries an air of class and refinement, even if it has almost completely disappeared from use -- only four boys were given the name last year. Perhaps these days it seems a bit of a mouthful, but in the 19th century friends and family frequently shortened it to Clare (pronounced klar), Clancy or Clarrie. (credit:Getty)