Breaking Bad Influence On UK Baby Names

Breaking Bad, Homeland and Game Of Thrones have all inspired British mums and dads to name their newborns after characters from the hit US TV shows.

According to a survey of the most popular baby names of 2013, there has been a 70% increase in Skyler, drug dealer Walter White’s wife in Breaking Bad.

There has also been a 40% rise in Brody, Homeland's renegade soldier, and a 183% increase in Arya, Game Of Thrones' tomboy.

UK drama Downton Abbey has also helped prompt double-digit increases for Violet, Elsie and Rose.

Sarah Barrett, managing editor for website BabyCentre, which carried out the research, said: "Inspiration for your baby's name can come from anywhere, which is why a show like Breaking Bad, which has been hugely popular, has influenced naming choices this year."

The study into the 21,000 babies born this year found popularity for royal names such as William, Charles and Kate was waning.

George, which had been rising in popularity since 2010, was at number nine in the boys' names chart in June 2013 but was pushed out of the top 10 after July.

Ms Barrett said: "So much speculation about the royal baby and regal names could be responsible for the decline of many names associated with our royal family over the past 12 months."

She added: "Parents fear being labelled Kate copycats but will take inspiration from well-known characters in popular TV shows or films."

The study revealed the top girl’s name is Olivia and boy’s name is Oliver.