ONS 2022 PREDICTIONS THREAD

@LiquoriceAllsorts2

has anyone emailed or contacted ONS for an update on the release date. I imagine they're busy but there is contact details on the last release so I'm wondering if to ask. The last 5-10 years the data was out by this time of the year.

🤣

It could be worse, I suppose. They used to release the data once a decade!

When is the list going to come out? I don’t understand why it’s taking so long, surely they have had the data for ages

Margot has been on a steep upward trend since 2013, so I think it could be in the top 35. I know that is one heck of a leap, but it's so popular on here.

As regards popularity of names putting parents off, unless they mix with lots of other new parents, they might not know that names are very popular until the child goes to school. I don't know a single young Oliver, young Arthur or Roman but they're #2, #4 and #23.

I agree that Margot is highly unlikely to be top 5 (yet) but I do think the long delay in the release of the results these days is contributing to higher leaps than ever before with some names. Some of the jumps to reach the top 100 in recent years have been crazy!

Personally I don't know any girls called Margot (it would be considered quite posh around here) but it's mentioned on name forums all the time, so I'd hazard a guess it was definitely in the top 50 in 2022 and is likely to rise again in 2023 with many people picking it still oblivious just how popular it is now. 2024 could be the year it dips a bit again, once people realise just how high it has soared in such a sort period of time.

If these lists were still released at the end of each year, rather than 3/4s the way through the next some people might change their mind on their chosen name if they were aware just how popular it had become the previous year. As it is, 2023 is nearly over and parents to be still only have the 2021 data to go on so no real idea how popular their chosen name really is right now.

Yes, we'll see. I think Aria will have shot up. I don't know any, or even like it, but it sort of fits in with the vowelly names. Same goes for Eden. Vowelly and naturey.

@ZoyaTheDestroyer , it leapt from #80 to #57 between 2020 and 2021, and from #156 to #99 between 2017 and 2018.
it also sounds quite different to the vowelly or princessy names, so it could be that new parents might think it was unusual and fresh.

The figures are for 2022, so although Margot will probably be much higher, it will probably be in the top 5 in 2023.

@mum1345 , I've got them mixed up a few times.

I reckon Margot and Otis will be big climbers.

Oo yes hadn't thought of the Sofia/Sophia variations!

You're right they do have a difference in pronunciation. If you say oh quick enough they sound exactly the same 😂

@mum1345 . They sound very similar. I'd say Emilia as Em-ill-ya. I don't like the Ah-MEE-li-a sound.
Sophia/Sofia would be high up too.

If you combined Emilia/Amelia names together it would be number 1!
Too me that's the same name 😅

@Theredfoxfliesatmidnight , what like Condomsplit and Mapfailed?

Seeing this on Active Threads I thought ONS was a "One Night Stand" list of baby names. Like the chavviest "unique - est" ones ever.

I know lots of Theodores, and all of them are shortened to Theo. Teddy is mostly used as a given name, or as a shortening for Edward.

I'm hoping they cone out soon. Baby is due next month and I wanted to check the name we have chosen (and the common shortening which is often given as a stand alone name) hasn't suddenly gone crazy popular before we name him

It wouldn't surprise me @BoleynMemories13 , I only cast a glance at it.
I wonder what a most popular list based on MN threads would be?

The lists from a rival parenting site (as quoted in the Metro link) are usually way off. I believe they're simply based on what their members register their newborn's name as on their site. So they will include babies born all around the world, not just England and Wales. They'll also include many babies listed by their given name, rather than birth certificate name. To be honest, given how many trolls and fantasists are drawn to parenting websites, it's inevitable that some of them will be completely fictitious babies too.

So I'd say that website's list is a rough guide as to what may or may not be popular at any given time but some of the names will be well out on terms of overall position.

Think we'll just have to agree to disagree that 'most' called Theodore on the birth certificate will go by Theo, as in my experience just as many are shortened to Ted or Teddy. That's all we can go on, our own personal experience, so it's only natural we won't agree if our experiences are different.

Personally I love to hear about how name trends vary so much from area to area. It fascinates me how some people can perceive a name to be overused whereas others will hardly know anyone with that name, simply based on where they live.

Regarding the popularity of Theo and Theodore, I do agree they seem to still be on the rise and won't be at all surprised to see both as seperate entries in the top 10 for 2022 when the stats are finally released.

We can't assume it, but most probably will. Most of the adult Christophers I know go by Chris, although I know at least one who doesn't, Most of the Alexanders and Alexandras I know go by Alex, most of the Jonathans by Jon etc.
It seems more natural to shorten to Theo than Teddy.

I suspect that Teddy might be more popular where you are. There has been a thread in Chat about Vincent, popular in the OP's area, and mine, but not nationally.

These are the top 100 baby names for 2022 in the UK | Metro News. No idea what their lists are based on.

I'd say a name which has at least 4 commonly accepted 'versions' which the name barer may commonly be known as counts as versatile. Granted it's not quite as versatile as Edward, but my point was that we can't assume pretty much all Theodores will go by Theo, and that point still stands.

it's a versatile name with many options
Not really, just Theodore, Theo, Ted or Teddy. I don't like any of them. Other than Ted they seem faddy.
Edward is more versatile as it can be Edward, Ed, Eddie/Eddy, Ted, Ned, Teddy

Having said that, Teddy does seem popular. It's not very popular in my area, but Theo and Theodore are.