At My Nametags we have a unique insight into trends in children’s names and are always curious to identify what is influencing the names of new babies born in Britain. So, using our knowledge, we decided to put together a list of our 2021 baby name predictions based on the names we saw rising in popularity in 2020.
Unsurprisingly, given that so many of us spent additional time at home during 2020, the year’s most-viewed TV shows are set to have a substantial influence on baby names throughout 2021 as the UK’s lockdown generation is born. Sporting stars, musicians and some of the most celebrated heroes of 2020 are also likely to have a significant influence.
Connell
After becoming the most searched for programme on iPlayer of all time, the TV adaption of Sally Rooney’s novel Normal People has had a huge cultural influence in Britain. As a result, our insights suggest that the name ‘Connell’, after the main character, is soaring in popularity for the first time since the 1950s.
Billie
For baby girls, we predict that ‘Billie’, after the Grammy award-winning singer, Billie Eilish, will become popular. Billie exploded onto the scene in 2019 with her hit single Bad Guy and continued to rise in popularity throughout 2020 after being announced as the singer of the latest James Bond theme tune.
Tom
Tom also features in our 2021 baby name predictions, after former army officer, Captain Sir Tom Moore, stole the nation’s heart by raising over £32 million for the NHS. Tom was successful in completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday and went on to receive a Knighthood from the Queen. The national treasure has already had a significant impact on baby name trends, with ’Tom’ shooting up the ranks in 2020, according to analysis by BabyCentre.
Marcus
Similarly, Marcus, inspired by Manchester United striker turned Government lobbyist, Marcus Rashford MBE, is set to soar in popularity after the footballer campaigned for free school meals during the holidays throughout the pandemic.
Maeve
The name Maeve also joins our 2021 baby name predictions. Inspired by the female lead in the critically acclaimed Netflix show, Sex Education, the Irish name is likely to be favoured by parents looking for more unusual names 2021.
Top male baby names:
- Connell – Lead character in the BBC smash-hit, Normal People
- Tom – Charity fundraiser, Captain Sir Tom Moore
- Marcus – Footballer turned Government lobbyist, Marcus Rashford MBE
- Lewis – World record-breaking Formula 1 driver
- David – The nation’s favourite broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough
Top female baby names:
- Billie – Five-time Grammy award-winning artist, Billie Eilish
- Maeve – Lead character in the Netflix original series, Sex Education
- Anya – Star of Emma and The Queen’s Gambit
- Diana – The late Princess of Wales and a main character in the Netflix hit, The Crown
- Jodie – Star of TV smash-hit, Killing Eve
To read more about My Nametags’ research into name trends, visit our blog.
To order baby name labels, go to the My Nametags website.
