#@cdphopendata

What do the names Arya, Khaleesi , Daenerys, Stannis,Drogo, Tywin, and Tyrion, have in common? If you subscribe to HBO, you probably know that they are all names of popular characters on HBO's  TV series, Game of Thrones. What you may not know, however, is that you are likely to be surrounded by people of the same names, as the show has inspired many new parents across the nation.

A perfect example of the "Game of Thrones" effect is the name "Arya", which, according to our CDPH Baby names data, quadrupled in popularity as a name for baby girls in the last 5 years, with 152 born in 2013. 

 In the books & TV show, Arya Stark is the young daughter of a family that is riddled with hardship. She handles life's challenges with the greatest of poise and empathy for others, but her kindness is not to be mistaken for weakness.

Another example is the name Khaleesi, which has risen in popularity and represents the character of Daenerys Targaryen, the only surviving child of a slain king. She is known as one of the strongest female characters in the series, going from city to city and freeing slaves from their masters, for whom she shows no mercy.  

Movies like "Twilight" have sparked a surge in baby names based on their characters Edward and Bella.

Which slice of pop culture or famous people or characters will be the next to inspire the prospective parents? We'll just have to see!

To check out CDPH Baby Names data go to health.data.ca.gov