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The Royal effect: Harry tops list of 2012's most popular boys' baby names (while mother-to-be Catherine rises 21 places)
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UPDATED:
19:38 GMT, 11 December 2012
Having sparked such controversy with his naked antics in a Las Vegas hotel, you might think Prince Harry had fallen out of favour.
But not among parents, it seems.
For Harry has climbed two places to top the list of 2012's most popular boys' names, new figures show.
Right Royal treatment: The name Harry has topped the list of most popular baby names for boys in 2012, apparently inspired by the antics of the Royal (left), while Catherine – the Duchess of Cambridge's name – has soared 21 places in the girls' list, according to new figures
The rise is apparently thanks to the cheeky exploits of the royal and his namesake from boy band One Direction, who also has never been far from the limelight this year.
Earlier this year, the third in line to
the throne was pictured naked in a Las Vegas hotel while playing a game
of strip billiards.
Singer Harry Styles, 18, has been linked to a number of sexy women and is currently going out with American pop star Taylor Swift.
Meanwhile, Amelia has climbed ten places to head the list of girls' names, according to figures by parenting website BabyCentre.
A spokesman for BabyCentre said: 'Whether it was celebrating the jubilee, supporting Britain's Olympians or having fun in Las Vegas, we've seen a lot of Prince Harry this year.
'And parents don't appear to be tiring of the name Harry. It's climbed two places this year to take the number one boys' name spot.
Making headlines: The name Harry may also have been boosted by the exploits of One Direction star Harry Styles (centre), who has been linked to several women already in his fledgling pop career
Power of TV: Nine of the top 100 boys' and girls' lists are named after characters in the hit show Downton Abbey (above)
'For parents who like the name Harry but fear it's become a little too popular, a great royal alternative is Henry.
'What many people don't know is that
Prince Harry was actually christened Henry. Henry is riding high in the
2012 chart, sitting at number 23.'
The Duchess of Cambridge, who
announced earlier this month that she and Prince William are expecting
their first child, seems to have done wonders for the name Catherine as
it has risen 21 places since last year.
Furthermore, Royal favourites Henry, Edward, Arthur, Andrew, Zara and Elizabeth all feature in the top 100.
And with average ratings approaching 12millon, the appeal of hit TV drama Downton Abbey cannot be understated.
Nine characters in the ITV show have names in the top 100 – Anna, Daisy, Sarah, Thomas, John, William, James, Violet and Matthew.
The Top 100 list for 2012 was complied by pregnancy and parenting website BabyCentre from 8,400 of its members who gave birth this year.
TOP 20 BOYS' NAMES OF 2012
1. Harry
2. Jack
3. Oliver
4. Charlie
5. James
6. George
7. Thomas
8. Ethan
9. Jacob
10. William
11. Daniel
12. Joshua
13. Max
14. Noah
15. Alfie
16. Samuel
17. Dylan
18. Oscar
19. Lucas
20. Aidan
TOP 20 GIRLS' NAMES OF 2012
1. Amelia
2. Lily
3. Emily
4. Sophia
5. Isabelle
6. Sophie
7. Olivia
8. Jessica
9. Chloe
10. Mia
11. Isla
12. Isabella
13. Ava
14. Charlotte
15. Grace
16. Evie
17. Poppy
18. Lucy
19. Ella
20. Holly