Baby names based on your favourite Netflix characters had a surge in 2021

Being Pregnant – 01 Dec 21 By Rebel Wylie

Hello Otis!

Each year we wait with bated breath for UK site, Babycentre to release their annual list of baby name trends for the year, and this year one thing is apparent … we’ve been watching a lot of telly!

In a year when lockdowns, border closures and the pandemic took up so much of our time and energy it’s clear that those things impact all parts of our life when you look at the name trends on this year’s list.

Baby names inspired by the pandemic were noticeable as parents looked to names that promised a life of hope.

Names like Nova and Neo which mean ‘new’ proved to be popular choices, as was the name Phoenix, which symbolises a rising from the ashes.

But it was the baby names that had clear inspiration from Netflix that proved exactly how we’ve been spending our time in 2021!

(Image: Netflix)

The Cast of Netflix’s Sex Education saw some sweet old-fashioned names come back into circulation.

Baby names inspired by television and the movies in 2021

Binge is not a dirty word! We invited the cast of Bridgerton, Squid Game and numerous reality TV shows into our homes and lives and they clearly made an impact.

“Bridgerton sent Penelope flying up 18 positions in the chart to number 71!” says Sarah Redshaw, UK Managing Editor for BabyCentre.

“Parents may even have been inspired by Squid Game, which overtook Bridgerton as Netflix’s biggest ever series launch, after Abdul broke into the top 100 at number 90!”

Netflix favourites You and Sex Education proved popular inspiration too with names like Love, Henry, Theo, Otis and Eric all climbing the charts while Maeve burst in as a new entry at 76.

WATCH: The Sex Education Season 3 trailer below …

Marvel and DC dominated film and TV in 2021 and there’s a clear indication that the superheroes involved had a big impact as more of their names crept into the lists this than ever before. Loki, for example, doubled in registrations!

Sarah Redshaw says: “Parents don’t just reflect popular trends with their baby name picks, what they don’t choose can be just as revealing.

“We predict there will be a rise in superhero names as Marvel and DC films continue to dominate and inspire many more parents to call their baby Thor, Thanos or Sylvie,” she added.

Disney+ has had an impact too, with names inspired by new animations Luca, and Raya and the Last Dragon doing big things on the lists. Luca held strong at number 29 in the boys’ chart while Raya climb for girls moving rapidly towards the Top 100.

WATCH: The Luca trailer below …

Olivia reclaimed the top spot in the top 100 list after briefly being knocked off that perch by the name Sophia last year, while Muhammad held strong for top billing in the boys list.