Name-dropping

By A.F. | LONDON

THE range of names parents choose to give their offspring has increased dramatically in recent decades. While many countries seek to ban some of the most exotic appellations (see article), the quest for originality continues. To help parents, and inspired by America's Baby Name Voyager, Anna Powell-Smith has created a neat visualisation of baby-naming patterns in England and Wales using 15 years of data from the Office of National Statistics. It reveals some interesting social trends. There has been a move towards more flowery, old-fashioned names for girls, and away from Biblical names for boys. Chloe, Lauren, Daniel and James are out. Lily, Grace, Oliver and Ethan are in. Films such as "The Matrix" and "Amélie" have had significant influences; and the proportion of eastern European names jumped in 2005 following the expansion of the European Union. The biggest proportional fallers were Brittany for girls, Macaulay for boys, and Jordan for both.