Jelly Babies actually each have a name - and you probably didn't even realise

People have been left stunned after realising that Jelly Babies actually each have their own names.

For those unfamiliar with the iconic sweet, the humble jelly baby first emerged onto the scene more than 150 years ago, and they still remain a firm favourite in the UK confectionery market.

In fact, the soft sugar jelly sweets are so beloved by Brits that they were even voted as the nation’s favourite sweets of all time, as per Kennedy's Confection.

And new research reveals that now, two-thirds of Britons rank the retro confectionery as their favourite sweet, cementing its place as a festive staple for all generations.

Historians believe the colourful candies were first manufactured in Lancashire, England, in the nineteenth century by an Austrian confectioner who worked for Fryers of Lancashire.

All the way back in 1864, it was thought that when he was asked to make a mould for jelly bears, the sweets actually came out looking more like newborn infants, which landed them the very eerie name Unclaimed Babies.

Jelly Babies are a firm favourite when it comes to British sweets - but did you know they have names? (Tesco)

However, the name unsurprisingly died out quickly and was changed once Bassett's of Sheffield began producing the novelty-shaped candy in 1918.

Some reports say the little babies were rebranded as Peace Babies to mark the end of World War One before getting their permanent name, although this is unconfirmed.

In 1953, the product was finally relaunched as the Jelly Babies we know and love.

And on top of all the branding name changes throughout time, not many people know that the sweets themselves have their own little monikers.

Richard Price, British Grocery expert at BritSuperstore.co.uk, explained: "Whilst every Brit undoubtedly has a favourite flavour or often colour few British consumers or expats realise they actually have a name.

"As part of their rebrand in 1953, Bassetts gave each colour a distinct shape and name."

He added: "This is the kind of quirky trivia Brits will love sharing with family even if they don't want to share their favourite sweet. They are an ideal stocking filler or a sweet addition to a Christmas gift hamper."

The name all begin with B and correspond to the different colours, with the red sweet called Brilliant and the Green one called Boofuls for example.

So without further ado, here is the full list of jelly baby names:

• Brilliant - Red
• Bubbles - Yellow
• Baby Bonny - Pink
• Boofuls - Green
• Bigheart - Purple
• Bumper - Orange

So, next time you bite into a jelly baby, try not to let it put you off that it actually has a name (Getty Stock Image)

So, if you want to impress the family around the Christmas dinner table, it's the perfect opportunity to whip out your new Jelly Babies knowledge.

As we say, most people had no idea this was a thing and have taken to social media to express their surprise.

One Twitter user penned: "I was today years old when I found out that the jelly babies have names."

While a second agreed: "There’s such a deep lore behind Jelly Babies that I did not know. They all have names. One of them is crying. They were once called ‘unclaimed babies’ I must find out MORE."

And a third hilariously quipped: "Found out the Jelly Babies have names today and I have two questions…1. What kind of a name is Boofuls? 2. Why is Bonny singled out as Baby Bonny? They’re all Jelly BABIES!"

A fourth pointed out: "Dear Bassetts, I don’t want to get to know the Jelly Babies I’m about to eat. Please don’t give them names. You made me feel like a monster. Thanks. P.S- still ate them though."