From pop stars to Star Wars, hottest new baby names (but has race row killed off Karen?)
DUA and Kylo ren are baby names that may have grandparents scratching their heads.
But it seems young mothers have new rules when it comes to naming their children – inspired by celebrity culture.
The success of pop star Dua Lipa, 25, has led to her first name doubling in popularity since 2017, with 126 Duas born last year. Kylo – inspired by star Wars character Kylo ren – has also grown in popularity, according to the Office for National statistics.
But the name Karen has hit a record low – with just 14 of them last year – after it became a pejorative social media term for a middle-class white woman amid race protests. Meanwhile, mothers aged over
‘Pejorative term for a white woman’
35 increasingly choose Victorian favourites such as Mabel, evelyn and Florence. and they’re giving their boys traditional names including George and Thomas.
Oliver and Olivia remained the favourites for the fourth year running, according to the ONs tables of the most popular names for the 640,370 babies born in england and Wales in 2019.
The rise in women having children later in life may explain the different choices. Older mothers – who are often educated and high-earning – tend to prefer more traditional styles than younger women.
The ONs said only half of the top ten girls’ names among women under 25 were also in the top ten choices for over-35s. It added: ‘We found younger mothers opted for more modern girls’ names like Harper, which has seen a rise since the Beckhams named their daughter so in 2011, and shortened boys’ names like Freddie.’ Young women are also having more boys named Logan – inspired by YouTube star Logan Paul. amazon’s virtual assistant alexa has almost killed off the name – with only 39 born last year – as parents are possibly keen to avoid calling their child’s name and accidentally waking up the gadget.