Lando Norris gazumps Lewis Hamilton as ‘most popular sport baby name’

Lando Norris beat Lewis Hamilton as the most popular sport-inspired baby name (Image: GETTY)While Lewis Hamilton remains superior on the track, niche data shows that Lando Norris is actually leading the seven-time world champion in one peculiar department away from the F1 grid. That’s because following a numerical study, the McLaren poster boy is actually inspiring a new generation of baby names – and the figures are quite remarkable.The Belgian-British driver was first signed by McLaren as a junior driver in 2017 before eventually partnering Carlos Sainz Jr at the Australian Grand Prix in 2019.While the 22-year-old is still yet to win a race in 80 entries, he remains one of the most-likeable figures within the sport as his stock continues to rise.Having finished in sixth position last season in 2021, there is optimism that Norris has all the makings of a future world champion.His growing popularity is reflected in the research carried out by Betsperts – which analyses the athletes whose careers have inspired the most UK baby names since their debut. Lewis Hamilton remains one of Lando Norris’ idols (Image: GETTY)Surprisingly, Norris edges the lot, from a list that also includes the likes of Steven Gerrard, Tyson Fury and Sir Alex Ferguson.The figures suggest there were only nine Landos in the UK prior to his F1 debut back in 2019. Since then, 47 have been registered.The average per year before was 0.5 before later rising to 24. That equates to a whopping percentage increase of 422.22%, which is more than any other sporting figure.Hamilton is down in third position – although data does not recognise how many parents have named their children ‘Lewis’ after the seven-time world champion.Instead, the data focuses on the name Hamilton. There were 14 in the UK prior to his debut in 2007 – while there are now supposedly 89.The original average per year was two but that has since increased to six during his 15-year F1 career.That equates to a percentage increase of 217 per cent, meaning Hamilton has still had a huge impact on baby names in the UK.Incredibly, Sir Alex Ferguson is actually in second position with a percentage increase of 333.33 per cent.There were allegedly just six Fergusons in the UK prior to his retirement in 2013, while there are now 13.World heavyweight champion Fury is down in fourth position. There were 80 Tysons prior to his 2008 debut, while there are now 360.The initial average per year was 10 but that has since nearly trebled to 28 – highlighting a percentage increase of 176 per cent.Intriguingly, former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is fifth on the list. There were three Yayas prior to his 2010 City debut and the latest figures suggest there are seven in the UK.