Baby names are always influenced by the times. Today, popular culture, including TV and film, often influences many parents’ decisions when naming their babies.
The top 100 baby boy and girl names for 2022 in the UK have been revealed. So, it seems a number of TV shows and popular culture moments have influenced many parents this year when naming their kids.
Experts at BabyCentre, an online media company for new and expecting parents, noticed trends between baby names in 2022 and popular TV shows.
From Lioness footballers to Love Island, Derry Girls to Ninjago, let’s take a look at the Derry Girls characters who influenced the most popular baby names of 2022 and other trends that new parents took on board this year.
Derry Girls characters who influence the most popular baby names – unsurprising with the popularity of the show
It seems that popular TV shows this year had a huge influence on parents naming their babies in 2022. So, experts believe that shows like Derry Girls have affected the top 100 names for this year.
The first character from the show who seems to have influenced the top 100 girl’s names of 2022 is Erin.
Ranking mid-way through the top 100, Erin is an Irish name that comes from the Irish word for Ireland, Éire or Éireann.
With Derry Girls being one of the most popular shows of the year with its final season, it’s no wonder the names within the show had an influence.
Other names that had an influence – the most quirky character on the show
The second character from Derry Girls that has influenced baby names in 2022 is the most whimsical and quirky character in the history of the show, Orla.
Orla is another name of Celtic origin. The root form of the name is the Irish name Órfhlaith, which can translate to ‘golden princess’. Thus, it combines the Irish words ór, meaning ‘gold’, and fhlaith, meaning ‘prince’.
While James has always been a popular name around the world, “the wee English fella’s” name is one of the top 100 boy names of 2022, too.
The top 100 boys and girl’s names of 2022 – a number of cultural influences
Aside from Derry Girls, experts at BabyCentre noticed that England’s national women’s football team, the Lionesses, have had an influence on many baby names this year. These include Leah (Williamson), Millie (Bright), and Chloe (Kelly).
Sarah Redshaw, UK Managing Editor for BabyCentre, said, “After their incredible 2-1 win over Germany at Wembley Stadium in July, parents seem to have been inspired not only by the England women’s but the team of presenters too”.
They also stated that Love Island contestants often have an impact on baby name charts. This year, Luca was the eighth most popular boy name of 2022.
Furthermore, they noticed that 90s baby names were making a comeback as well. These include Thomas, Jack, Daniel, Matthew, Charlotte, and more.
