BBC ORIGINAL DRAMAS SET TO BE THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON UK PET NAMES IN 2019

This-year’s most popular original dramas such as Killing Eve, Doctor Who, Bodyguard and Luther, are expected to have the biggest influence on UK pet names in 2019.

After Bodyguard became the most-watched British TV drama of the last decade, ‘Bud’ – after the lead character – is predicted to be the top pick for families naming a male pet. Whilst for female companions, ‘Eve’ is predicted to be the most popular moniker after the title character of the hugely popular series, Killing Eve, according to the list released by My Nametags (www.mynametags.com) today.

‘Jodie’ and ‘Idris’ are also predicted to be within the top five most popular names. This is after actors Jodie Comer, Jodie Whittaker and Idris Elba, who take centre stage as the main characters in Killing Eve; as the first female lead in sci-fi favourite, Doctor Who; and gripping detective series, Luther, respectively. Demonstrating the ‘BBC effect’, there has been a 26% increase in orders for nametags with the name ‘Idris’, according to statistics from My Nametags.

Similarly, blockbuster hits and further television favourites will influence British families welcoming furry friends to their homes in the coming year. Following the release of Peter Rabbit, which became the highest grossing children’s film of 2018, and the latest rendition of A Star is Born, which held the hearts and minds of cinema-goers and topped the UK charts with lead-song ‘Shallows’, it is no surprise that ‘Peter’ and ‘Jackson’ are both within the top predictions for male pet names, with both names seeing an increase in popularity of over 10% in the past year. ‘Newt’, from the Fantastic Beasts franchise; ‘Eddie’ after Tom Hardy’s character in the blockbuster hit, Venom; and ‘Freddie’ after the lead singer of Queen, which came to the forefront of British culture following the release of the toe-tapping multi-award nominated film, Bohemian Rhapsody, also feature in the top ten.

On the list of female names, ‘Charm’, makes it into the top five following the popularity of David Attenborough’s series Dynasties which followed the story of the Marsh Pride of Lions alpha-female in episode three. ‘Rey’, after the female lead in the Star Wars sequels; ‘Sansa’, after Sansa Stark of the hugely popular HBO series Games of Thrones – set to air its last series in 2019; and ‘Margot’, after the actress Margot Robbie, who starred as ‘Flopsy’ in Peter Rabbit and will take on the role of Elizabeth I in the highly-anticipated Mary Queen of Scots, which hits cinemas in January, also make the list.

Finishing up both the male and female lists are names influenced by the British royal family. Having seen a 38% rise in popularity this year, ‘Meghan’ is pipped to be the second most popular female name next year, after the Duchess of Sussex who was the most Googled person of 2018, whilst ‘Charlotte’ and ‘Louis’ both make the lists too. ‘Harry’ further adds to the Royal theme but is also in reference to the England football captain Harry Kane who guided the country to its best World Cup finish in 12 years. ‘Stormi’ also makes the list, influenced by Kylie Jenner’s unusual choice of baby name for her first child, born early in 2018.

Rounding off the lists are two famous animal names from Britain this year. Bopper, after the border collie which is reported to be Britain’s fattest dog, and Tease, the whippet who was crowned Best in Show at this years Crufts.

Lars B. Andersen, Managing Director of My Nametags, commented on the list: “Our Battersea Dogs and Cats Home themed labels are hugely popular with animal-lovers looking to label their pets’ belongings. Because of this, we are privy to lots of information about what people are choosing to name their companions and the current trends for pet names. We have put together our list of 2019 pet predictions based on the names that we have seen rising in popularity throughout the year and we hope it will act as inspiration for those naming their furry friends in the year ahead.”

Male pet names:

1. Bud – Leading character in the BBC drama Bodyguard played by Richard Madden
2. Louis – Newest edition to the Royal family, born earlier in 2018
3. Idris – Leading actor playing titular character in the series Luther
4. Jackson – Bradley Cooper’s character in A Star is Born
5. Peter – Titular character of the top-children’s film Peter Rabbit
6. Harry – The Duke of Sussex and the nation’s hero, Harry Kane
7. Eddie – Tom Hardy’s investigative journalist character in the blockbuster super-villain film Venom
8. Freddie – Queen frontman played by Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody
9. Newt – Following the success of the Fantastic Beasts franchise, lead character played by Eddie Redmayne
10. Bopper – The border collie reported to be Britain’s fattest dog

Female pet names:

1. Eve – Jodie Comer’s titular character in Killing Eve
2. Meghan – The American-born actress turn Duchess, Meghan Markle
3. Jodie – Following the success of Killing Eve and the after the first female to take on the role of the Doctor in Doctor Who
4. Charm – Alpha-Lioness who stole the nations hearts during episode three of David Attenborough’s Dynasties
5. Stormi – Kylie Jenner’s unusual choice of baby name
6. Rey – Daisy Ridley’s strong-willed female lead role in the Star Wars sequels
7. Margot – Australian actress who starred in Peter Rabbit and is set to take on the role of Elizabeth I in Mary Queen of Scots
8. Charlotte – Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s super-confident second child
9. Sansa – Red-headed Lady of Winterfell, Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones
10. Tease – Winner of Best in Show at this year’s Crufts