England’s women’s European Championship success and the England men’s team appearance at the World Cup in Qatar are predicted to leave a lasting impression on expectant parents – with some of the stars from each tournament set to influence baby names this year.
Analysis of Office for National Statistics baby name data shows England football stars are among the most influential figures when it comes to baby name choices in the UK – for example, David and Peter were popular in 2006-7, following the performances of David Beckham and Peter Crouch at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
According to the predictions list, released by British name label manufacturer mynametags.com, it will not just be sport that influences the next generation of parents’ choice of baby name – with popular music artists and television shows also set to influence parents’ choices.
Lars B Andersen, My Nametags managing director, said: “We know from experience 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.”
5. Jack
The name Jack, inspired by England and Manchester City star, Jack Grealish, is set to spike in popularity after Jack stole the nation’s hearts with his goal celebration for Finlay, a young fan with cerebral palsy, after scoring against Iran at the World Cup. Photo: Shaun Botterill
6. Jude
The name Jude, after young England ace Jude Bellingham, saw a huge spike in Google searches during the opening days of the Qatar World Cup, and is predicted to rise in the charts as a result. Photo: Shaun Botterill
7. Tommy and Arthur
The names ‘Arthur’ and ‘Tommy’ – after the iconic Peaky Blinders characters, such as Cillian Murphy's character Tommy, pictured, – 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. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS.com
8. Wednesday
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 the girls’ name Wednesday. Photo: MATTHIAS CLAMER/NETFLIX