People apparently keep naming their babies after Theon from Game of Thrones

Since Game of Thrones premiered in 2011, hundreds of parents around the world have given their newborns names like "Daenerys," "Arya," and "Brienne" in honor of some of the most beloved characters on the show. But even the less beloved characters can serve as a source of inspiration, the BBC reports. In 2014 alone, 18 boys were given the name "Theon" in the U.K; in America, another 15 boys were given the name "Theon" that same year. An unknown number of Theons have likely been born since, too.

Theon Greyjoy is one of the most tragic characters on Game of Thrones, and that's saying something. The former ward of Lord Eddard Stark, Theon betrays his adopted family to take over the northern castle of Winterfell when the Starks are weak. In an effort to prove himself, he murders two farm boys and burns their bodies so that they're unrecognizable, claiming they're the Stark heirs Bran and Rickon. Theon is later captured by the sadistic Ramsay Bolton, who tortures him into submission over the course of three grueling seasons, including during season four in 2014. Theon eventually flees Ramsay with his adopted sister, Sansa Stark, but in season seven, when given a chance to save his sister Yara from his evil uncle during a naval battle, Theon jumps overboard, apparently out of cowardice. Only in season eight, which premiered on Sunday, has Theon's character arc finally started to show signs of a reversal.

While the parents of five-year-old Theons might claim they saw his redemption coming, it's still a bit of a puzzler why you might name your darling sweet child after a character who is best known for enduring brutal torture and betraying his entire family. When it comes to Game of Thrones baby names, it is best to just stick with "Khal" or "Khaleesi" to be safe.

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