Jack, Emily, even Chardonnay on list of British baby names

By The Associated Press

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

LONDON — Jack and Emily were the most popular names given to babies born in England and Wales in 2003, but less traditional monikers such as Chardonnay and Lemar are creeping up the list, thanks to influential TV shows.

Jack has been the most popular name for boys for the past nine years, the Office for National Statistics said Monday. The rest of the top five — Joshua, Thomas, James and Daniel — have shared those places in varying order for the past eight years.

The most popular names for girls were similarly traditional. Emily was followed by Ellie, Chloe, Jessica and Sophie.

Lower on the list, TV stars and celebrities began to make their mark. Alfie jumped 31 places to No. 18 on the boys' list, reflecting the popularity of a pub landlord character on the TV soap "EastEnders." Spencer, the name of Alfie's teenage brother on the show, broke into the top 100 at No. 89.

Chardonnay, the name given to 91 girls, was inspired by one of the characters on the drama "Footballers' Wives."

The BBC TV talent show "Fame Academy" made its contribution as scores of new parents named their children Lemar, Malachi and Sinead — all names of successful contestants on the show.

"Naked Chef" star Jamie Oliver provided inspiration. There were 1,053 newborns named Poppy and 1,373 named Daisy — the names of his two daughters.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company