Despite Sir Keir Starmer's historic ascent to 10 Downing Street, his first name has failed to capture the imagination of British parents. New data reveals that 'Keir' remains conspicuously absent from the UK's most popular baby names, even as political names like 'Boris' and 'Rishi' saw brief surges during their respective premierships.
The Name Game: Politics vs Popularity
While political leaders often influence cultural trends, the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics show that 'Keir' hasn't made the top 100 boys' names in England and Wales. This contrasts sharply with previous political figures who left their mark on baby name charts.
Historical Political Names That Made the Grade
- Boris: Saw a 13% increase in registrations during Johnson's premiership
- Rishi: Experienced a brief uptick in 2022-2023
- Tony: Maintained consistent popularity during Blair's era
Experts suggest that Keir's failure to catch on might reflect broader societal trends towards more traditional names, with 'Noah' and 'Oliver' maintaining their dominance at the top of the charts.
What's in a Political Name?
Naming consultant Emily Smith observes: 'While some political names gain temporary traction, they need certain qualities to achieve lasting popularity. Keir's Scottish origins and unusual spelling might be working against it in the current naming climate.'
The data also reveals that female political figures have historically had more success influencing baby names, with 'Theresa' seeing a modest increase during May's time in office.
