Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has revealed that his 11-year-old daughter's middle name is 'Thatcher', a tribute to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The disclosure at the Conservative Party conference drew gasps from the audience, with Jenrick explaining it was 'a good way of reminding her of a good prime minister' and a nod to 'strong women'. His daughter, born the year Thatcher died, has the first name Sophia, one of the UK's most popular girls' names.
Jenrick's choice highlights the growing trend among millennial parents for unusual names, balancing uniqueness with practicality. Data from the Office for National Statistics shows the proportion of babies with top 100 names is declining as parents seek distinct monikers. The rise of baby name consultants and apps like BabyName, which functions like Tinder for name selection, reflects this shift.
While Jenrick's choice may seem extreme, it is not illegal. The UK has strict rules on baby names, banning those deemed offensive, misleading, or too long. Names like 'Jesus Christ', 'Mickey Mouse', and '4Real' have been rejected by registrars. However, 'Thatcher' as a middle name passes muster, though it has certainly sparked debate.
