My column about what to name your baby came just in time to give a few ideas to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The world was waiting, according to the media, to discover what William and Catherine would call their son.
No problem. They could have a quick look at the Examiner.
They undoubtedly did and picked George, one of those I described as a classic. It was third in popularity in 1900 and sixth last year. This year it will, of course, top the charts.
The name piece was actually prompted, not by the imminent arrival of the third in line to the throne, but because 87-year-old Valerie O'Loughlan wondered if her name was still popular for girl babies.
I discovered it wasn’t. Valerie was popular from the 1930s to the 1950s (and was ranked 11th in 1944) but by 2009 it had slipped to 1,325th in popularity.
There are still, of course, quite a few Vals about and another 87-year-old – Valerie Gomersall – got in touch to say how much she had enjoyed the piece.
Even more so, perhaps, because one influential website suggested that Valerie (and my own name Denis) were retro chic.
Retro chic! At our age, Val.
If the Duke and Duchess have a girl next time, maybe they’ll name her Valerie.