The rise and fall in popularity of birth names in the United Kingdom in 2015

Choosing a birth name may be inspired by celebrities, tradition, or the quest for something original and unique. However, many classical names might be facing extinction (Daily Mirror, December 25, 2015).

Boys’ names, such as Rodney, Derek, Donald, Ian, Darren, and Terry are ‘fading fast’ according to the Bounty Parenting Club’s annual report of over 340,000 baby names for children born in the United Kingdom in 2015. The biggest decrease in boys’ names include: Riley, Kian, Kai, Kayden and Jayden, as well as Harley, Tyler, Joey, and Rhys.

New names on the rise for boys include: Nimrod, Jester, Boden, and Lion. There were also boys called Lovie, Lomond, and Golden. Other boys’ names increasing in popularity are Teddy, Jackson, and Hugo. The biggest increase in boys’ names include Arthur and Reggie.

Girls’ names, such as Helen, Claire, Sally, Karen, and Susan are on the decline. The biggest decrease in girl’s names include: Lexi, Leah, and Lacey. Holly, Molly, Lola, and Hannah are also losing popularity, as well as Lily, Elizabeth and Katie (all losing more than 20 ranking points).

The biggest increase in girls’ names include: Nancy, Arabella, Penelope, and Florence. Venus, Delphi, Oceana, and Tulip were added to the list. There were also three girls named Lexus in 2015.

The royal birth of Charlotte in May 2015 did not increase the popularity of her name. Instead, the name Charlotte dropped two rankings this year. But Harper (the name of four-year old Harper Beckham) continues to climb the rankings of girls’ names. Harper is now in 51st position, after entering the top 100 in 2014. Arya (after the Game of Thrones character) is also rising, along with Thea (after Theodora, the name of singer Robbie Williams’ daughter, born in 2012).

Top 10 Boys’ Names in 2015

Oliver (up 1 ranking from 2014)

Jack (down 1 ranking)

Charlie (up 1 ranking)

Harry (down 1 ranking)

Jacob (no change in ranking)

George (up 4 ranking points)

Noah (no change in ranking)

Alfie (down 2 ranking points)

Oscar (down 1 ranking)

James (down 1 ranking)

Traditional Boys’ Names Losing Popularity

Rodney (2 babies given the name in 2015)

Derek (9 babies in 2015)

Donald (10 babies in 2015)

Graham (11 babies in 2015)

Russell (13 babies in 2015)

Daryl (14 babies in 2015)

Terry (16 babies in 2015)

Gregory (21 babies in 2015)

Darren (21 babies in 2015)

Ian (21 babies in 2015)

Top 10 Girls’ Names in 2015

Amelia (no change in ranking from 2014)

Olivia (no change in ranking)

Emily (no change in ranking)

Isla (no change in ranking)

Ava (no change in ranking)

Ella (up 10 ranking points)

Jessica (up 2 ranking points)

Mia (up 2 ranking points)

Sophia (up 2 ranking points)

Poppy (down 4 ranking points)

Traditional Girls' Names Losing Popularity

Janet (7 babies given the name in 2015)

Dawn (8 babies in 2015)

Susan (9 babies in 2015)

Karen (10 babies in 2015)

Sally (14 babies in 2015)

Kelly (14 babies in 2015)

Joanne (15 babies in 2015)

Tina (16 babies in 2015)

Claire (19 babies in 2015)

Helen (20 babies in 2015)

http://www.prweb.com/releases/baby/names/prweb13133530.htm

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/little-plonkers-gone-rodney-find-7070121

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