Traditional English names making a comeback

Published Jan 1, 2009

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Jack remained the most popular British baby boy name in 2008 for the 14th year running, while names influenced by celebrities moved up an annual ranking.

Olivia topped the girls' list, closely followed by a surge of Rubys - apparently inspired by the name of the daughter of singer Charlotte Church, a staple of the British tabloids.

Other star-tinged names in the top rankings included Lily, apparently after songstress Lily Allen, while Amy Winehouse's personal troubles were seemingly reflected in her name dropping three places to 23rd.

The top 10 boys' names in the poll, compiled by parenting club Bounty from a total of 380 000 babies born in 2008, were: Jack, Oliver, Harry, Alfie, Charlie, Thomas, Joshua, Daniel, James and William.

"Boys' names have witnessed the biggest changes over the last decade as parents are increasingly influenced by American culture and celebrity trends relating to films and sports personalities," said Faye Mingo of Bounty.

Football wunderkind Theo Walcott's moniker moved up 12 places to 53rd in the name league table.

The girls' top 10 was: Olivia, Ruby, Grace, Emily, Jessica, Sophie, Chloe, Lily, Mia and Lucy. "Parents are more likely to name girls after a well known movie star or celebrity," said Mingo.

"Parents are also more likely to copy celebrities' own choices of baby girls' names, perhaps as a way of reflecting the aspirations that they have for their children," she added.

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