Prince George Expected to Make Name Massively Popular, Inspire Lots More Babies Named George

Kate Middleton and Prince William’s first-born son’s name might just move from traditional to trendy, thanks to his royal influence

Justins, Jaydens and…Georges?

Prince George's name announcement Wednesday might just launch the namesake from traditional to trendy.

According to Ancestry.com's statistics, the birth of a royal baby increases the popularity of his or her name by 32 percent the following year. If this proves to be true, there will be an estimated 1,400 extra Georges born in the U.K. Even pre-Prince of Cambridge, the moniker was the 12th most popular boys name across the pond. But factor in a 32 percent increase and a total of 5,740 Georges will be born next year, making it the fourth most popular boys name in the U.K.

But one naming expert doesn't think royal names have the same allure that they used to. "Couples tend to simply chose names because they like them, rather than looking to royalty," Rosie Harper, vicar of Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, told the BBC. "It's the same with some biblical names, although the apostles—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—are still popular, and sentimental family names which are often being used as a middle name, rather than a first name."

She did, though, note that "there is also a bit of a thing with old-fashioned names," aka the ones "we tend to think of as the grandfather generation" seem to be "catching on" with parents these days. And yes, George fits right in that older-but-turning-hipper category.

Prince William and Prince Harry certainly helped their names become more common amongst the commoners. The name William became 23 percent more popular in the U.K. following the prince's birth in 1982, while the number of babies named Harry after his arrival in 1984 rose by 55 percent.

We can't be certain the masses will start naming their own sons George as an homage to the future king, but we'd be willing to bet it's the Aiden-Mason-Liam of 2014.