Baby name meaning 'loyal' surges in popularity as it enters top 100 chart

04 October 2023 , 09:41

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A surprising baby name has entered the top 100 chart (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

Baby name trends come and go and sometimes, completely surprising names find themselves in the mix. Avid baby name watchers will of course be aware that, each year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) releases annual figures for the most popular baby names In England and Wales, pulling data from the previous year.

These lists include plenty of very popular names heard across playgrounds across the country. They also act as a great indicator of any upcoming trends. For example, Olivia has been the most popular name for girls for the sixth year running and Oliver, which was the most popular boy's name for the last eight years, was knocked off the top spot by Noah.

There have also been a variety of new entries into the top 100, including the girls' names Lara, Beatrice, and Sara, and the boys' names Blake, Brody, Kai, Rupert, Tobias, and Nathan. This actually marks the very first time that the names Rupert and Brody have been included in the top 100.

The name Brody is thought to have originated in Scotland and Ireland, but there is some debate as to the exact origin. The name means 'protector' in Irish and is the perfect moniker for a courageous and loyal boy. In Scotland, Brody refers to a 'ditch', which is a symbol of strength and stability. Brody is a strong, unique name and its popularity has risen in recent years due to its unique sound.

It is traditionally a surname in Ireland and Scotland, and although he's not Irish, Hollywood actor Adrien Brody is a great example of this. However, this doesn't mean the moniker can't be used as a first name. One of the most well-known Brody's is Brody Jenner, son of former Olympian Caitlin Jenner. Rupert, on the other hand, is a charming name of Germanic origin that means 'bright fame'. Fittingly, this starry name has theatrical associations, with famous thespian bearers including the likes of Rupert Grint, Rupert Everett, and Rupert Graves.

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This comes after it was revealed that a baby boys' name loved by millennials has virtually gone extinct in recent months as it 'sounds tired' today. The name in question is Kieran which is said to mean "little dark one". The classic moniker has dropped 81 places this year on BabyCentre's name charts and currently ranks at number 633 on the list of most popular names for 2023, whereas it used to be much higher.

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Billie Schwab Dunn