At a time when Marvel Studios‘ popularity has never been higher, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Marvel characters are now connected to some of the most popular baby names in the United States.
A new study by the U.S. Social Security Administration revealed the 1,000 most popular baby names from last year, and there are some surprising additions on the list. Characters like Spider-Man, Black Widow, and even some of the Guardians of the Galaxy find themselves represented on the list. However, some of the more shocking names are courtesy of some beloved Thor characters, including not only the God of Mischief, Loki, but also Valkyrie.
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Out of all of the Marvel names represented on the list, Parker takes the top spot with a reported 5,833 babies — including 1,487 girls and 4,346 boys — ostensibly named after Marvel’s web slinger. The name, of course, more than likely saw a surge in popularity following the addition of Peter Parker to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. Ironically, coming in second place was Wade, which, of course, is the first name of the Merc with a Mouth — Wade “Deadpool” Wilson. The name was given to 899 boys born last year.
Also on the list, according to Metro? Natasha (355 girls), Pepper (121 girls, 7 boys) and Banner (39 boys). Those names, of course, are rather normal in comparison to some of the others that made the list. Such as, Rocket — yes, you read that correctly — and Marvel. The latter isn’t necessarily too bad, and may actually gain more popularity after it was revealed Fall Out Boy and sometimes comic book writer Pete Wentz recently named his daughter Marvel. However, the decision to name a child Rocket — a name given to 9 girls and 28 boys, mind you — is mind boggling. Thankfully, though, his on screen companion, Groot, did not make the list.
Perhaps the real heart breaker on this list is Hawkeye. That’s right, the crack shot archer who was a no show in Avengers: Infinity War was at least represented in 2017 in the form of six baby boys. As weird as that sentence may be, that’s not a typo. Six babies were named Hawkeye in 2017.
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Next up for the Marvel Cinematic Universe is Ant-Man and the Wasp, which stars Paul Rudd Evangeline Lilly as the titular duo. The film hits theaters on July 6.
(via Screen Rant)