HARRY POTTER has crashed in popularity over the last ten years, despite the huge success of the series of seven books and films.


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That sounds daft, but according to research by Genes Reunited, people with the surname ‘Potter’ have avoided the first name ‘Harry’ ever since the first Harry Potter book topped the charts over a decade ago.

Usually, famous names have the opposite effect.

“Famous characters, or celebs from popular culture, have always influenced the popularity of certain names as parents want the same for their children,” said Rhoda Breakell of Genes Reunited.

“It seems wizards could be an exception.

“Could parents be worried that if they name their children Harry, they will be bullied by the Voldemorts of the playground?”

Sounds feasible, especially given that the name Harry itself grew in popularity over the same period, or so shows a search by Genes Reunited through its records of 750 million names.