Jenson's rise and fall

According to the Office for National Statistics, this figure plots the number of babies named 'Jenson' each year in the UK since 1996.

Remarkably, the nominalistic statistics actually track Jenson Button's fluctuating fortunes in Formula One. There's an initial burst in 2000 as he makes his Williams debut, then a plateau through the wilderness years at Benetton, until another sharp rise as he takes on the Ferraris with one hand in 2004, (the other holding his helmet on).

There's a slight dip in 2005 as Jenson tumbles to ninth in the drivers' championship, but a commensurate gain follows in 2006 as Jenson takes his first Grand Prix victory.

In 2007 and 2008 the popularity of the name takes a sharp dive as Frome's fastest struggles with the lethargic Honda. This, however, is merely a brief furrow before a precipitous escarpment of Jensonian designation in 2009 and 2010, as he wins the World Championship, and makes a winning start at McLaren.