Olympic gold-winning Simones spark baby name surge

If the Rio Olympics are any indication, naming your child Simone might give them a better shot at achieving international athletic success.

At least that’s what some soon-to-be parents might be thinking as Google searches for “Simone baby name” surged since Team USA athletes swimmer Simone Manuel and gymnast Simone Biles headed to Rio de Janeiro. Searches for the baby name spiked 230 percent in August, according to Google Trends.

Biles, 19, and Manuel, 20, both captivated audiences at the Summer Games as they secured positions on the Olympic podium. Manuel tied in the 100-meter freestyle race, becoming the first African-American female to win gold in an individual swimming event on Thursday — the same day Biles proved she was the best gymnast in the world when she won gold the individual all-around competition.

“If you’re having a baby tonight, name her Simone,” one Twitter user wrote.

Overall, Manuel has claimed two gold and two silver swimming medals at the games, while Biles, for her part, snagged four gold medals in women’s gymnastics and one bronze.

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