Most popular baby names: Star Wars and Game of Thrones characters make list

Game of Thrones is still inspiring new parents to name their children after its fictional characters, according to a new survey.

Names of characters from the fantasy TV show and the books it is based on have continued to crop up on the list of most popular baby names in England and Wales.

A record 76 baby girls were called Khaleesi in 2017, which is the title given to Emilia Clarke's character Daenerys Targaryen by the Dothraki. It roughly translates as “queen”.

Three more children were called Daenarys. More girls than ever were named Sansa, after the eldest daughter of Ned Stark.

Yet it was Sansa’s sister who proved most popular, with 343 newborns given the name Arya, after Maisie Williams’ assassin-in-training, up from 302 who were given the name in 2016.

11 baby boys, the same number as in 2016, ended up being called Tyrion, most likely after the character Tyrion Lannister, who is portrayed by actor Peter Dinklage.

Star Wars also appears to have had an impact, with 149 girls called Leia, and 21 named Rey. 70 boys were called Kylo – an interesting choice, given the character played by Adam Driver is a murdering psychopath who ends up killing his own father.

Matt Smith joined the cast of Star Wars: Episode IX, it was revealed last month.

The former Doctor Who star is set to play a “key role” in the forthcoming sequel, which is currently in production with JJ Abrams as director.

Production on the film began at London's Pinewood Studios earlier this month. Smith - whose tenure as Prince Philip on Netflix series The Crown has come to an end - will join returning cast members Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac for the final part of the revived trilogy.

Game of Thrones season 8 will air in April 2019