Baby names 'Harry' and 'Meghan' have drastically fallen in popularity

Recent disastrous PR events seem to have taken their toll - as shown in this updated list of the most popular names of 2023 so far.

Nama Winston

2 min read

September 25, 2023 - 11:40AM

Baby

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They've had to suffer a number of public (and perhaps self-made) blows in recent years, but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, have just experienced another loss.

Their names have fallen several places this year in popularity in Britain, according to an analysis by the UK-based BabyCentre.

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'Meghan' and 'Harry' less popular

The site says:

"Crashing down from 13th place to number 23, the previously popular name Harry seems to have had a negative reception from parents this year.

"Meghan and alternate spelling Megan have also dropped in registrations."

BabyCentre suggests that the couple's "explosive and somewhat controversial" Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan and Harry's January autobiography, Spare, along with Meghan's ill-received Spotify podcast, may have turned popular opinion on their names.

Baby name trends for 2023 so far

According to the site, Muhammad continues to reign for boys, while Lily stole the top spot for girls from Sophia.

"Flower names in particular have grown in the hearts of parents, Lily tops the chart at number 1, followed by Jasmine, up 28 places to number 67. Dahlia also shows budding signs of success, nearly doubling in registrations."

Image: supplied

BabyCentre also shared that many of the top baby names of 2023 have been influenced by pop culture trends and celebrities.

The HBO drama Succession is credited for boosting Logan, Roman, Frankie, Hugo and even the first time registered Kendal.

The traditional name Charlotte is said to have arisen thanks to the Bridgerton spin-off about Queen Charlotte. Other Bridgerton-inspired names, such as Violet, Penelope and Theo, have grown in popularity as well.

And Disney’s live-action retelling of The Little Mermaid set some trends, with Ariella, Sebastian, and Indira rising in the ranks.

Move away from "Victorian vintage vibe"

BabyCentre's report observed that many parents have "moved away from the Victorian vintage vibe" in favor of "retro" Gen X names such as John and Sarah.

Sarah was the second highest new entry for the girls at 58 while John landed at 92. The boys’ name was joined in the retro ranks by high risers David, up 23 places to 36, and James up 25 places to 35.

For Gen X girls, Niamh joined Sarah as a new entry, landing at 81 while Layla soared 34 places to number 12, Penelope climbed 14 places to 60 and Maria went up six places to number 65.

Top 10 boys' names of 2023

Muhammad

Noah

Theo

Leo

Oliver

Arthur

Jack

Freddie

George

Luca

Top 10 girls' names of 2023