Game of Thrones sparks baby name boom

Parents are calling their children Khaleesi and Tyrion in a nod to the show

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Game of Thrones’ (HBO)

Beyoncé and Jay Z called their baby Blue Ivy, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian chose North for their daughter and the recently ‘consciously uncoupled’ Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow opted for Apple and Moses.

Now, fantasy TV series Game of Thrones is inspiring a fresh wave of unusual names, particularly in the US.

In 2012 there were 146 girls named Khaleesi – the title Emilia Clarke’s character receives upon marrying a Dothraki leader in the first season, meaning ‘queen’. Her given name of Daenerys proved less popular but was still chosen for 21 newborns.

UK fans also reflected their love for the HBO drama in their children’s names, with 21 Khaleesis registered two years ago.

There were three Catelyns, named after the Lady of Winterfell and wife of Lord Eddard Stark, and four Sansas, taken from the name of Lord and Lady Stark’s eldest daughter.

The name of the Starks’ tough third child, Arya, has been a hit, with 104 UK babies named after her in 2012. Arya was the fastest-growing baby name in the US that year, rising in rank from 711th to 413th.

As for boys, 15 were named Theon after the son and heir of King Balon Greyjoy, eight were called Bran after another child of the Starks and four were named Tyrion in a nod to the dwarf Tyrion Lannister.

The fourth season of Game of Thrones got underway last Sunday, when 6.6 million viewers tuned in to watch first episode “Two Swords”.

Based on the novels by George RR Martin, it was announced this week that there will be at least two more seasons of the hit TV show.