IRISH NAMES are becoming more popular in the United Kingdom-- and a certain popular show may have something to do with that.
British website Babycentre have released their list of the 100 most popular baby names in the UK for 2020, and there are several new Irish entries.
Most interesting however, is the appearance of Connell in the top 200 for the first time ever-- thanks to the phenomenal popularity of Irish drama Normal People which premiered at the height of lockdown.
While it missed out on entering the top 100, BabyCentre notes that it is the first time the name has ever appeared on its registration-- Connell's counterpart in the show, Marianne, however, did not make it on the list.
Other Irish names for boys on the top 100 include Aiden (26), Liam (32), Ryan, (43) Kian (51), Finn (67), and Gabriel (72).
Rory, the anglicised version of Ruairí, also rose 15 places to hit number 44 on the list.
As for the top 100 Girls Names in the UK, several Irish favourites made the cut.
Niamh, ever-popular in Ireland, entered the list for the first time at 100th place, with Orla at 81 and Erin at 56.
There's no mention of any Sadhbhs, Ailbhes or Saoirses just yet, but we reckon it's only a matter of time.
For the full list of the top 100 baby names in the UK, you can visit the Babycentre website here.
