BABY names in 2021 are expected to be influenced by the biggest trending TV shows and celebrities.
Billie is predicted to become the most popular name for girls inspired by the American five 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 first UK number-one single.
For baby boys, Connell is tipped to be a top name after the TV adaptation of the best selling book Normal People became the most searched for programme on iPlayer.
Connell Waldron is one of the leading characters.
Tom and Marcus are also set to feature within the top five names for boys this year after the trailblazing charity fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore and Manchester striker Marcus Rashford.
Captain Sir Tom Moore
Captain Tom raised more than £32 million for the NHS by completing 100 laps of his garden to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Soccer star Marcus successfully lobbied the Government over free school meals during the pandemic.
Marcus Rashford
Lewis makes the list for boys' names after Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton MBE. He made headlines last year for becoming the joint record holder for seven World Drivers' Championship titles.
David, already the most common boy's name, is expected to continue to be popular following the nation's hero Sir David Attenborough joining Instagram last year to help the environment.
For girls Maeve, inspired by the fearless lead character in the Netflix comedy drama Sex Education is predicted to be popular amongst those looking for more unusual names. Emma Mackey played the role of Maeve Wiley in the teenage show.
Emma Mackey who plays Maeve Wiley in Sex Education
Anya is expected to jump into popularity after the American born British-Argentine actress Anya Taylor-Joy, who played Emma Woodhouse in the latest film adaptation of Jane Austen's Amma.
Diana continues to be popular after the late Princess of Wales and leading character in the fourth series of The Crown, played by actress Emma Corrin.
Princess Diana
Jodie is another name predicted to take off after Liverpool-born actress Jodie Corner, best known for her role as Villanelle in the TV triumph Killing Eve.
Top boy names
1. Connell
2. Tom
3. Marcus
4. Lewis
5. David
Top girl names
1. Billie
2. Maeve
3. Anya
4. Diana
5. Jodie
Lars Andersen, managing director of British name label manufacturer, My Nametags, which released the list, 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 thorughout 2020 and we hope it will act as inspiration for those naming their children in the year ahead."
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