Calling all you Olivias and Jacks. According to the National Statistics Office you were the top baby names in England and Wales last year.

So much for us poor old Williams (7th) Georges (14th)!

I was served in Manchester earlier this week by an, I'd guess, 20-year-old Lucille (not in top 100 over last five years), according to her name badge.

I was brave enough to say I'd never come across that name before.

Mum and dad liked the name Lucy (7th & 8th over last five years), but so did most of their pals so they added a bit.

In Sheffield Town Hall, as with most, they have the names of their mayors since the mid 1800s on a plaque on the wall.

The Herberts, Joshuas and Fredericks abounded in the early days.

There were certainly few, if not no, female names!

I mused about when the Zaks, Waynes, Chardonnays and Kylies would get on there as surely they will.

In Blackburn Town Hall all the mayors were given only their initials.

There was a bit of a fuss in 1990, when I asked to be Bill, the name people know me by.

Most named now are as they were known.

How do we arrive at our children's names? What do we think of our own names?

Have you ever thought of or actually changed your name? Why?

Does the person shape the name or the name, the person?