Lockdown Television Trends Set to be the Biggest Influence on Baby Names in 2021

2020'S biggest trending TV shows are anticipated to have a substantial influence on baby names in 2021 as the UK's lockdown generation is born. After the TV adaptation of the best selling book Normal People became the most searched for programme on iPlayer, fans became obsessed with its leading characters Connell Waldron and Marianne Sheridan. Even the silver chain Connell wears throughout the show became an internet sensation, earning almost 200,000 Instagram followers. The name 'Connell,' which peaked in popularity in the 1950's, is tipped to receive a popularity boost in the wake of the show, according to the list released by British name label manufacturer My Nametags.

For baby girls:- 'Billie' is predicted to become a popular moniker inspired by the American 5 time Grammy award winning singer:- Billie Eilish. Exploding onto the scene in 2019, she rose in popularity last year after being announced as the latest singer to lend their voice to a James Bond theme tune. Her title track, No Time to Die, gained Billie her 1st UK number 1 single.

'Tom' and 'Marcus' are also set to feature within the top 5 names for males born in 2021, after the trailblazing charity fundraiser, Captain Sir Tom Moore, and Manchester United striker turned Government lobbyist, Marcus Rashford MBE. Marcus Rashford successfully lobbied a Government U-turn on its position over free school meals during the holidays throughout the Pandemic, capturing the hearts of the nation. Meanwhile, Captain Tom raised more than ₤32 million for the NHS by completing 100 laps of his garden to celebrate his 100th birthday and has already had a noticeable impact on parents' choice of baby name. The name:- 'Tom' shot up the ranks to appear just outside the top 100 in 2020, according to Baby Centre data.

For girls:- 'Maeve,' inspired by the fearless lead character in the highly praised Netflix comedy drama Sex Education, is predicted to be popular amongst those looking for more unusual names. Similarly:- 'Anya' is set to jump in popularity, after the American born British Argentine actress, Anya Taylor Joy, who played the title role of Emma Woodhouse in the latest film adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma. Anya also starred in Netflix's biggest scripted limited series of all time, The Queen's Gambit, in 2020, where she played chess prodigy, Elizabeth Harmon. The series is set to have a lasting cultural impact after sales of chess sets rose by 87% in the weeks following the show's release.

'Lewis' also makes the list of boys' names after the Formula 1 driver, Lewis Hamilton MBE. He made headlines in 2020 for becoming the joint record holder for 7 World Drivers' Championship titles (tied with Michael Schumacher) and for his activism off the track.

Finishing up the boy's list is:- 'David.' Although it's the UK's most common name, new babies being named David have greatly diminished in recent years. With the nation's hero, Sir David Attenborough, joining Instagram last year and continuing his efforts to help the environment, he is predicted to influence a rise in young Davids across the UK.

Rounding off the list for girls is:- 'Diana,' after the late Princess of Wales and leading character in the fourth series of The Crown, played by actress Emma Corrin, and 'Jodie' after Liverpool born actress Jodie Comer, best known for her role as Villanelle in the TV triumph Killing Eve.

Commenting on the findings, Lars B. Andersen, Managing Director, at My Nametags, said:- "Names are at the heart of what we do, and we are always curious to identify new trends in popular names and what is driving them. We have put together our list of 2021 name predictions based on the names that we saw rising in popularity throughout 2020 and we hope it will act as inspiration for those naming their children in the year ahead."

Top male baby names:-

1. Connell - Lead character in the BBC smash hit, Normal People.

2. Tom - Trailblazing charity fundraiser, Captain Sir Tom Moore.

3. Marcus - Premier League footballer turned Government lobbyist, Marcus Rashford MBE.

4. Lewis - World record breaking Formula 1 driver.

5. David - The nation's favourite broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough.

Top female baby names:-

1. Billie - 5 time Grammy award winning artist, Billie Eilish.

2. Maeve - Lead character in the Netflix original series, Sex Education.

3. Anya - Star of Emma and The Queen's Gambit.

4. Diana - The late Princess of Wales and a main character in series four of the Netflix hit, The Crown.

5. Jodie - Lead actor in TV smash hit, Killing Eve.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Metro Mayor proposes a freeze on Mayoral Council Tax, Tunnel Tolls and Transport Levy

THE Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram has proposes a freeze on Mayoral Council Tax Precept, Mersey Tunnel Tolls and Transport Levy. The move is intended to help residents hit by the Covid Pandemic by not adding to the burden on household budgets.

Metro Mayoral Precept will remain frozen for the 2nd year in a row. Mersey Tunnel Tolls for City Region residents will also remain frozen with the Fast Tag offering the lowest toll rate for 20 years. Transport levy paid by the City Region's 6 Local Authorities will also be frozen. Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, has announced proposals to freeze the Mayoral Precept and Mersey Tunnel Tolls for the financial year 2021/22. If accepted, the proposal will mean, when residents get their Council Tax bills in March 2021, the Metro Mayoral Precept will remain at ₤12.67 for a Band A property (₤19.00 for a Band D property) for the 2nd year in a row.

While Mersey Tunnel Tolls for City Region residents will remain at ₤1 for those using a Fast Tag and ₤1.80 for those paying by cash or contactless. The ₤1 Fast Tag rate; introduced by the Metro Mayor in 2019; remains the lowest toll for 20 years.

The Metro Mayoral Precept is part of the overall Council Tax paid by Liverpool City Region residents and used to fund City Region wide services for which the Metro Mayor is responsible. The decision to freeze the precept is intended to avoid putting extra short term financial pressure on residents who are struggling due to the Covid Pandemic. 95% of households in the City Region will continue to pay no more than 32p a week. The Transport Levy, paid by the City Region's 6 Local Authorities, will also be frozen. 

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "The Pandemic has hit our Region hard and I know many people will be entering the New Year after having seen their income vastly reduced, or sadly in some cases having lost their job, over the past 12 months. At the same time, the Combined Authority and our 6 Local Authorities' have lost hundreds of millions of pounds through revenues and the cost of responding to the Pandemic. Despite our strong representations to the Government, the funding to cover these shortfalls has not yet been forthcoming, so it seems likely that Councils will have no choice but to increase Council Tax just to survive. In this context I; and the leaders of our 6 Local Authorities; do not think it would be right to add to the burden on household budgets by increasing the Metro Mayoral Council Tax precept or tunnel tolls at this time. However, it is vital that we continue to provide crucial City Region wide services, such as strategic transport, skills and economic development, if we are to emerge stronger from the Pandemic in the 2021 to 2022 budget. But it does not mean there will not be tough choices to come in the near future. Unless the Government makes good on its promise to fund:- 'whatever it takes' to tackle Covid, our budgets; particularly for our transport services; will not be sustainable at this level in the long term."