Bradford mums are not surprised that Harry and Olivia have been ranked as the most popular babies’ names in the region.

Whether the rise has been inspired by boy wizard Harry Potter or Prince Harry is unknown but the name has topped the polls for Yorkshire and Humber for 2011, according to new research by The Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Jacob replaced George in the top ten most popular first names nationally, climbing up five places from number 12 to seven and in our region is ranked in sixth place.

Bradford mum, Rebecca Willey, 27, from Apperley Bridge said: “I called my twin boys Jacob and Cameron they were born in August 2011. I chose the names because they were names I liked for a long time.

“It doesn’t surprise me the most popular names are Olivia and Harry, as being a mum of a one year-old I know they are popular names. Harry was one of my original choices.”

Krese Sabule, 24, of Manchester Road, Bradford, called her baby Rainers. “I’ve known of that name for around four years and I wanted that name,” she said.

Magdalena Jurczyk, 25, of Girlington , and Iwona Ilczuk, 29, who lives near the city centre, said they chose their babies’ names – Alice and Bortosz respectively – simply because they liked them.

Barbara Bailey, 65, of Bierley , said: “My grandson is called Riley Stephen Porter and he was born in April 2011. I’m not sure why he was named Riley but his middle name Stephen was chosen after both of his grandfathers who were called Stephen.”

Deborah Scott, 26, of Bramley, had a poignant reason for calling her baby, born in July last year, Millie.

“My grandad was really poorly and his mum was called Millie. I wanted something we could all remember him by,” she said.

Nationally Harry and Amelia were the most popular first names given to babies born in England and Wales in 2011 replacing Oliver and Olivia in 2010. Names of Bradford babies born in 2011 included Millie and Alice for girls and for boys Riley, which is in tenth place in Yorkshire and Humber category.

Mohammed appeared twice in the top ten boy’s names for the area, with different spellings of the name.

This is the first time annual statistics on baby names in England and Wales have been published by The Office for National Statistics.

The baby names statistics have been derived from final annual births registration data and include all live births occurring in England and Wales in 2011.

Netmums founder Siobhan Freegard added: “Both Harry and Amelia are posh names which have been embraced by the public.

“It seems mums are turning away from the unusual and back to the more traditional names, but with a twist.”