We've heard some pretty unique baby names in our time, but the latest baby name trend is one that we've definitely not come across before. Would you name your child after a Pokémon?
According to naming website BabyCentre, which tracks the latest in baby name news, parents have started naming their newborns after Pokémon.
No, really.
It's thought that the new naming fashion has been sparked by the craze of Pokémon Go, the interactive game where players can catch the virtual pocket monsters in real life locations.
And while we're yet to see a little baby Pikachu, apparently names like Eevee (a variant on the already popular baby name Evie) and Onyx, an alternative spelling of Pokémon character Onix, have spiked in searches since the game took off.
'Parents are always looking to pop culture for baby name inspiration and, right now, it doesn't get hotter than Pokémon Go,' Linda Murray, BabyCentre's global editor in chief, explains.
'It's possible that parents' enthusiasm for the game will reignite their love for the brand and spark a full-fledged naming trend.'
She told BuzzFeed, 'We see babies named after TV show characters, celebrities, and even Instagram filters.
'Millennials are particularly attracted to technology and 90s nostalgia, which is one of the reasons we think Pokémon Go is already having an impact on baby naming trends among pregnant women.'
It's not just the critters themselves that are providing inspiration for expectant mums and dads - the name of protagonist Ash has jumped up the list, moving up 243 places from last year.
The name, which is of Hebrew origin and means 'happy', is also a gender-neutral option, which may have boosted its appeal.
Fans of the franchise are already thinking ahead - Roselia, the name of a Pokémon who appears in later incarnations of the game and hasn't yet appeared in Pokémon Go as of yet, has already risen 5,859 spots since last year.
What do you think of the Pokémon naming craze? Would you consider a Nintendo-inspired name for your baby? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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