THE FORCE was with Scotland’s weans last year, with new parents looking to Star Wars for inspiration when it came to naming their offspring.
According to the latest release from the National Records of Scotland, there were 127 babies named Luke in 2017, along with 19 Leias, 4 Reys, 199 Finns, and, surprisingly, two named Kylo, like the gloomy, moody, villain in the recent films of the series.
For the third year in a row, the most popular names in Scotland remained Olivia for a girl (453) and Jack for a boy (484).
The data also revealed that, barring some surprise renaissance, Nigel will soon be all but extinct.
There's now not been a Nigel born in Scotland for three years.
There were also, seemingly, a few parents inspired by Scotland’s constitutional question, with one boy and five girls named Indy, 24 girls called Indie, one Indie-Belle, an Indie-Mae, an Indie-Rae, three Indie-Roses, and one Indie-Star.
One wee girl was given the moniker Bella Caledonia, the name of the popular pro-indy website, and the magazine that comes with The National on the first Saturday of every month - available in all good newsagents and supermarkets for the bargain price of just £1.
There was a baby Aberdeen, 17 Axels, eight Beaus, 58 Lunas, one Ultra Violet, two Kingsleys, a Roar, a Merlin, a Nettle, a Pennylane, and, in a nod to some of last year’s other big blockbusters movies, a Thor, three Lokis, ten Odins, a Harley-Quinn and 324 Logans.
There was also a Peter-Gabriel and two babies called Genesis born last year.
In the world of politics there were four babies named Nicola, nine Ruths, nine Richards, 164 Williams, and 48 Patricks.
There were zero Theresas, and four Jeremys, but also, surprisingly, seven Corbyns.
Scottish Culture minister Fiona Hyslop said she was pleased to see the “great variety in baby names across Scotland.”
“Picking a name for your baby is one of the first, and most important, decisions new parents make,” she said.
“Once again this year has seen some of the most popular names from recent years remain in the top ten, with Jack and Olivia holding on to the top spot for another year.
“I am extremely pleased to see that overall there continues to be a great variety in baby names across Scotland, reflecting our unique and diverse society and culture.”
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