Sex Education characters Otis and Mae spark ‘surge’ in babies being named after them

Asa Butterfield and Emma Mackey play Otis and Maeve in the acclaimed series (Picture: Netflix)

Sex Education has inspired a ‘surge’ of parents to name their newborns after two of the Netflix show’s main characters.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the names Maeve and Otis, which are shared by Otis Milburn and Maeve Wiley from the comedy-drama, have both climbed the rankings of the most popular names given to children born in 2020.

Otis was among the ‘largest movers’ in the top 100 boys’ names list, rising 28 places to 96th, the ONS said.

Maeve has risen 124 places since 2019 to reach 94th in the rankings.

Sex Education tells the story of Otis, played by Asa Butterfield, and his sex therapist mother Jean (Gillian Anderson), as he navigates his way through secondary school.

His close friend Maeve is played by actress Emma Mackey.

New parents have been inspired by Sex Education (Picture: Netflix)

Series three of the beloved drama was released in the UK in September.

Sian Bradford, vital statistics outputs branch at the ONS, said: ‘Popular culture continues to provide inspiration for baby names, whether it’s characters in our favourite show or trending celebrities.

‘Maeve and Otis, characters from the popular programme Sex Education, have seen a surge in popularity in 2020.’

She added the name Margot has been ‘rapidly climbing’ the rankings since the Australian actress Margot Robbie starred in the 2013 film The Wolf Of Wall Street.

The name Olivia, shared by actress Olivia Colman, has remained as the most popular girls’ name for five years in a row.

More: Sex Education Netflix

Sex Education recently blessed fans with the news that the show has been renewed for a fourth season.

Sex Education is available to stream on Netflix.

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