The hottest baby names of 2023 revealed: Harry and Meghan's popularity takes a hit amid Royal Family drama, while Holly and Phil also decline.
In a recent report by BabyCentre, a prominent resource for expectant parents, it appears that the once-popular baby names 'Harry' and 'Meghan' have witnessed a notable decline in popularity in the United Kingdom.
According to BabyCentre, the name 'Harry' has plummeted from its previous position at 13th place to a less prominent 23rd place on the list of preferred baby names for the year. This sudden drop suggests that the name 'Harry' has faced a less favorable reception from parents in the current year.
Similarly, 'Meghan,' as well as the alternative spelling 'Megan,' have also experienced a decrease in registrations, signaling a decline in their popularity.
These names were initially on the rise in recent years, likely due to the high-profile status of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. However, it appears that these names may now carry negative connotations, given the ongoing rift between the couple and the Royal Family.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step back from their roles as senior royals in early 2020 led to a series of public disputes with the royal family, including a headline-grabbing interview with Oprah Winfrey. Their Netflix series documenting their exit from the Royal Family further exacerbated tensions by holding Prince William and Kate Middleton accountable for various disagreements.
Most recently, Prince Harry's forthcoming memoir, titled 'Spare,' delved into his personal struggles, including drug abuse, intimate encounters behind a pub, and combat experiences during his time in the Armed Forces.
It's worth noting that baby name trends often mirror celebrity controversies and public sentiments. However, Harry and Meghan are not the only celebrity couple whose names have seen a decline in popularity.
The names 'Holly' and 'Phil,' associated with popular TV presenters Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, have also fallen out of favor with expectant parents.
As per BabyCentre's data, the most popular boys' name of 2023 thus far is 'Muhammad,' while 'Lily' has surpassed 'Sophia' to claim the top spot for girls' names. Interestingly, both 'Harry' and 'Meghan' have seen a sharp drop in registrations and no longer rank in the top 100 names.
Furthermore, flower-inspired names have gained popularity, with 'Lily' leading the charts and 'Jasmine' climbing 28 places to reach number 67. The name 'Dahlia' has also seen a doubling in registrations.
This news coincides with reports suggesting that the Prince and Princess of Wales have resigned themselves to the idea that their strained relationship with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may remain unresolved. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond noted that Kate Middleton had been hurt by comments made by the couple, and despite efforts to reconcile, it appears that the rift within the Royal Family remains unbridgeable. Photo by Andrés Nieto Porras from Palma de Mallorca, España, Wikimedia commons.