So, here’s the thing. British and American families have broadly similar tastes when it comes to naming their children, with a few exceptions. You don’t tend to get as many British kids called Mason or Harper, and there probably aren’t as many American kids answering to Alfie or Jessica.
Looking over the popularity charts for baby names in 2012 (I was bored, OK?), one change jumped out above all others. In 2011, Amelia was the 11th most popular name for girls, occupying broadly the same position it does in the US rankings.
In 2012, the same year Amy Pond left the Doctor to be with Rory in the past (and Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill left Doctor Who), it jumped to the No.1 position. Coincidence? No of course not.*
Look, here’s the Top 20, courtesy of BabyCentre:
1. Amelia
2. Lily
3. Emily
4. Sophia
5. Isabelle
6. Sophie
7. Olivia
8. Jessica
9. Chloe
10. Mia
Um… no ‘Stormy’?
(Source: bbcamerica)
Names associated with the hit BBC Wales production, Doctor Who, have seen a rise since 2011.
Amelia jumped from number five to the number one spot in the popularity tables between 2010 and 2011, Rory went from 132 to and 110, and River went from 1792 to 1239.
Characters in Steven Moffat’s hit show include Amelia Pond, Rory Williams and River Song. Rather unsurprisingly, there were no babies born in 2010 or 2011 with the names Doctor, Who, or Doctor Who. Time Lord and TARDIS are also yet to make an appearance.
However, there was a rise in the number of babies called Matt, the name was ranked at number 1425 in 2009, but rose to 1124 in 2011.
