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Stranger Things and Suicide Squad sparks a rise in baby Dustins and Harleys

The year in culture has also seen an increase in the name Harley

Jacob Stolworthy
Friday 02 December 2016 10:51 EST
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It seems some fans have become so obsessed with Netflix's unprecedented hit series Stranger Things that it's aiding in the small task of naming their babies.

BabyCenter reports that since the 80s-set sci-fi mystery went live on the streaming site, the usage of names of characters from the series has seen a massive increase.

Leading the charge is Dustin (Glen Matarazzo) which has risen by 32% while Joyce - the character played by Winona Ryder - is up 23%. Don't worry, though - the name Eleven doesn't seem to have become a household one. Mike, the show's child male lead, has seen a 28% increase.

Other properties that have influenced the names of our future generation is The Walking Dead and DC mashup film Suicide Squad: the zombie series is to thank for an increase in the names Tyreese (48%), Hershel (37%) and Carol (18%).

Stranger Things - Season Two teaser

In Suicide Squad's case, it's unsurprisingly the name Harley - from Margot Robbie's Joker sidekick Harley Quinn - that's seen the biggest increase with 35%.

Thankfully, there is no record of anyone naming their child Captain Boomerang.

Stranger Things will return for a second season in 2017.

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