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The use of middle names has doubled in the past century, according to a British study.

James, John and William top the list of most popular boys’ middle names, with Louise, Rose and Grace are the most used for girls, said history website Ancestry.co.uk.

Just over half of middle names are chosen to remember a well-loved family member, or have run in the family for generations, the research found.

The website said the lists were notable for an absence of modern names, with few of the most popular current boys’ and girls ‘names featuring in the top 10.

Middle names are more popular than ever, with three out of four children being given a second name, compared with one in three a century ago, said the report.

Miriam Silverman, UK content manager of Ancestry.co.uk, said: “It seems that middle names are a relatively new phenomenon, having only become the norm over the last 100 years – driven by the desire to commemorate well-loved ancestors.

“This will have become particularly prominent in society following the two World Wars. These wars affected the entire country and resulted in millions of Britons commemorating their lost loved ones as new babies were born in the years following the conflicts.”