BabyCentre releases the most popular names for girls and boys of 2023 so far

by Lauren Abbott

labbott@thekmgroup.co.uk

Television programmes and celebrities continue to influence parents when it comes to choosing a name for their baby, say those behind one of the biggest surveys of popular names.

BabyCentre, which each year calculates the top 100 most popular names for boys and girls, has released its half-year charts. Scroll down for the full list.

BabyCentre says television and celebrities continue to influence changes in the charts. Image: iStock.

Experts studying the data claim that celebrity-related gossip appears to have had the most impact on choices with the likes of Philip, Holly, Meghan and Harry tumbling down the charts after recent coverage in the press and online.

Sarah Redshaw, managing editor for BabyCentre, said: “Whether you keep up with celebrity drama or not, it’s been hard to avoid some of the latest outbreaks in the media. I’ve no doubt that negative press around some celeb names played a part in their fall from favour with parents this year.”

While parents were turned off by real-life gossip, on-screen drama has sent other names soaring up the charts, says BabyCentre.

As fans of HBO series Succession waved goodbye to the final season, family patriarch Logan leapt six places to 48, while Roman flew nine places to 47. Character Hugo saw the name climb 47 places to 43, while Kendal saw its first registrations in BabyCentre’s data.

BabyCentre releases the top 100 names every year. Image: iStock.

Names inspired by the release of Disney’s The Little Mermaid have also been performing well in recent months with new entry Ariella diving straight into the top 100 at 86 while Ariel remained as popular as ever just outside the top reaches. Sebastian floated parents’ boats, swimming up 24 places to number 38 and the name of Ariel’s sister, Indira, was also a new registration.

Netflix’s 2022 adaption of the childhood classic Matilda also saw the heroine’s name soar 23 places to number 32 these past few months.

Sarah added: “Film and TV have always been strong influences for parents, and this year is no exception. Names in top movies and shows will always score in our charts, as long as the drama stays on the screen.”

BabyCentre’s name lists have an avid following as parents try and choose a name for their child. Image: iStock.

At the top of the charts...

The release of BabyCentre’s top 100 most popular names at the end of each year is a much-anticipated moment for prospective parents keen to know the nation’s favourite boy and girl names, and the mid-year charts can offer a sneak peak at likely trends.

At the top end of the chart – among the boys Muhammed stayed at number one while Noah, Theo, Leo and Oliver also refused to budge. Arthur, on the other hand, leapt up five places to number six knocking Jack down a place.

BabyCentre has revealed how the name tables look at the halfway point in the year

In the girls’ chart, Lily at the halfway stage has jumped a place to claim pole position, knocking previous chart-topper Sophia off. However names ending in A didn’t fall out of popularity though, warns BabyCentre, as Amelia, Freya and Aria all rose two places to take numbers four to six in the rankings.

Elsewhere Ivy tumbled out of the top 10 with six months to go until the final results, and new entry Mila made it into the top 10 soaring an impressive 31 places to land in 10th place.