Most common names on Santa's naughty list this year - including trendy favourite

29 December 2023 , 10:00

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Certain baby names are more likely to be on the naughty list (Stock Image) (Image: Getty Images)

Your little ones may be wondering whether were on Santa's naughty list, or the much preferred nice list this year - and there could be a way to find out.

It turns out the likelihood of your children getting presents, or coal, is all in the name, as children with certain monikers are way likelier to be less well-behaved than others. Prashant Patel, gift-giving expert and Owner of Personalised Bee has found the most popular children's names of 2023 that are most likely to find themselves on the naughty list this year- even though a third of children improve their behaviour around the festive period.

Does your little one make it onto the naughty list? (Stock Image) (Getty Images)

The data was cross-referenced from babycentre.co.uk and ukbabynames.com, and used the naughty and nice list index from the "Department of Christmas Affairs" to find that there are names of children who are way more likely to be getting coal for Christmas in their stockings and sacks.

According to a study from the University of Exeter, a third of children try to be better behaved as they realise Christmas is coming, but for some children, it's already too late, as their name has sealed their fate. The same study found that the average age children believe in Santa until they are eight years old.

Here are the top 15 boys most likely to be on the naughty list:

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• Theodore

• Charlie

• Alfie

• Jacob

• Thomas

• Arlo

• Isaac

• Luca

• Joshua

• Mason

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• Benjamin

• Joseph

• Daniel

• David

• Caleb

Here are the top 15 girls names that are most likely to make it onto the naughty llist:

• Isla
• Ava
• Ivy
• Willow
• Millie
• Maya
• Alice
• Ruby
• Maisie
• Eva
• Zoe
• Lottie
• Mabel
• Emma
• Orla

Prashant said of the findings: "While these children's names are most likely to find themselves on Father Christmas' naughty list this year, some of them have strong thematic links to the spirit of the holidays. For example, Theodore - which ranked number one as the most popular boy name on the naughty list - means 'a gift from God' which also has the nickname 'Teddy Bear', a common Christmas present to give a child.

"Meanwhile, Alfie, which ranked third in popularity, is derived from the Old English word 'Aelfraed', meaning Elf. Elves are of course often associated with Christmas, dating back to a Brothers Grimm fairytale from 1812, and are magical beings that help Santa with delivering gifts on Christmas Day. Maya, which ranked sixth for popular girl names, is commonly understood as 'magic' or 'illusion', something that Christmas is also synonymous with, embracing that which is ever-changing."

Danielle Kate Wroe