Meghan predicted to make top 10 baby names for girls this year ahead of royal wedding

The Markle effect is inspiring parents-to-be

Meghan Markle during a visit to Reprezent FM in Brixton (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

With a burgeoning influence on what the nation decides to wear, the Meghan Markle effect is in full swing, but now it looks like the soon-to-be-Duchess is having an impact on other areas too.

According to parenting and pregnancy website Mother & Baby, Meghan’s name is expected to surge in popularity among parents-to-be and will enter the top 10 predicted names for girls in 2018.

Likely to have been driven by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal engagement and their impending wedding in May, the royal name is listed as the sixth most popular.

Originally a Welsh name meaning ‘pearl’, the traditional spelling of the name, Megan, came in at number 83 in 2016 with a total of 658 babies given the moniker, according to official Office for National Statistics figures.

However, the actress’ spelling, Meghan, trailed behind at number 881 with just 42 given the name in the same year - a figure which looks set to skyrocket in the months ahead.

Of course, it’s worth mums-to-be noting that Meghan isn’t actually the soon-to-be royal’s name.

In fact, the Suits actress was assigned the name Rachel at birth by her parents but changed it to Meghan, her middle name, when she was a teenager.

Harry also made it in the top ten list for predicted boys names at number eight, while George entered at number six, and William at 11.

Despite being a popular choice last year, royal name Charlotte failed to make the list for 2018.

Instead, other popular girl names for the year ahead include Amelia, Emily, Olivia, Ella, Ava and Mia.