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Press releaseLUCKIEST FIRST NAMES IN UK REVEAL GIRLS ON TOP01 June 2003Hang up those rabbit feet and dispense with the four leaf clovers. It's the right name that gets you ahead in the luck stakes these days, and girls are on top with nine out of the top ten luckiest UK names, according to research on Premium Bond winners by National Savings and Investments (NS&I). UK's top ten luckiest names
Topping the list of lucky male and female names are biblical names Matthew and Rebecca, with Lucy, Hannah, Fiona and Emma completing the all female top five. Jack and Chloe may have been the most popular boys and girls names in the UK for the last six years * but they don't appear in the top 50 Premium Bond lucky name chart; Jack comes in at 81 while Chloe doesn't feature at all in the 273 name list. Parents frequently find naming children tough and these days many take their inspiration from the world of showbiz. But, according to experts, luck should also be a consideration. Professor Richard Wiseman, author of The Luck Factor, said, "Research shows that people with names that are seen as positive feel significantly better about themselves. "They might believe that their names are lucky for several reasons. Perhaps they have the same name as a lucky celebrity or someone in their family who has a reputation for being lucky. Either way, such beliefs may cause them to have higher self-esteem, be more positive in their interactions with others, be more optimistic about the future and so on. This, in turn, helps create opportunities in their lives and increases the likelihood of them making the most of opportunities." Gill Cattanach, commercial director at NS&I said, "Over the past year certain names have been especially lucky at winning the top prizes, but because the draw is random, whatever your name, anyone who invests in Premium Bonds has a chance to win one of the 650,000 prizes worth over £30 million that we give away each month." Ends Note to Editors* Office for National Statistics (ONS) 2002 - Top 100 names for baby boys and girls in England and Wales John and Margaret are the most popular male and female names in England and Wales, according to the ONS, and come 184 and 165 in the list of luckiest Premium Bond winners, respectively. The National Savings and Investments research into first names was based on analysis of first names with the most Premium Bond wins of £500 and above between June 2002 and May 2003. There are 273 first names featured in this list. Top 10 male and female names of lucky prize winners of £500+
Bottom ten male and female names of lucky prize winners £500+
The randomness of Ernie and the Premium Bond draw is certified by the Government Actuary's Department, which carries out a number of statistical tests after each draw. Once they are satisfied that the results of the draw are random they issue NS&I with a certificate to that effect. Without this NS&I is not permitted to publish the numbers or issue Premium Bond prizes. There are currently around 20 billion Premium Bonds held by 23 million people. The maximum prize is £1 million and each month NS&I gives away over 650,000 prizes worth £30 million. For further details please contact:
Media team The numbers below are for media use only. Customers wishing to contact NS&I can find details here.
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