Archie will be the most popular name in the UK by 2025, according to new research.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex introduced their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor to the world on Wednesday, sparking a flood of interest in the name.
Researchers at family history website Ancestry.co.uk measured its popularity by analysing historic census records and data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
They concluded that Archie is likely to be one of the most popular names in the UK by the time Megan and Harry’s son starts nursery school in 2022. By, 2025, it could become the country’s favourite.
Their findings revealed the influence royal baby names have on the nation’s preferences.
After the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015, for example, the name shot up 13 places in terms of popularity over the following two years. Similarly, 'George' rose seven places in the four years after the prince’s birth in 2013.
Looking to Archie’s father, Ancestry found that the name ‘Harry’ swelled in popularity by 592 per cent after the Duke of Sussex’s birth. 'William' rose by 88 per cent in the decade after the Duke of Cambridge was born.
Birth registers dating as far back as the 1800s revealed similar trends, with the names of Queen Victoria’s children each increasing in popularity by at least 100 per cent.
“It’s amazing to see how much these historic records shine a light on the royal family’s enduring influence on the nation,” said Ancestry spokesman Russell James.
“In addition, these findings show how much the royals borrow from their own family history when choosing names for their children, a tradition we’ve seen inspire millions of people globally to explore their own family histories.”
