Hard times are hitting economies around the world, and hard choices have to be made. Even in my baby-name bubble I recognize that tracking the rise and fall of Nevaeh doesn't make any top-10 list of national priorities. Still, it was a shock to learn to that UK Office of National Statistics has decided to stop reporting on popular baby names as a cost-cutting measure.
The announcement of the year's most popular baby names has quickly become a tradition around the globe. It's a happy tradition: a rare moment when our government tell us something just because it's fun and interesting. It's also a unique barometer of our changing national mores. As an American, I learn something new about my country with every new name list. Similarly, looking at the England & Wales stats each year taught me a lot about how our countries are the same, and how we differ. I'll sorely miss watching names like Alfie and Poppy climb toward the top 10.
There's no substitute for true national statistics. They capture the full range of the nation's tastes, while private listmakers -- web sites or newspapers that poll their readerships -- systematically ignore large swaths of the population. As the UK experience demonstrates, we shouldn't take the government data for granted.
The United States first started tracking popular baby names in 1996. As I understand the story, a Social Security Administration actuary by the name of Michael Shackleford compiled the first name popularity lists, simply because he could. After a couple of years Shackleford left the SSA to dedicate his mathematical skills to the gambling industry (see wizardofodds.com). By that time, though, the name stats were so popular that the other actuaries had to continue Mike's pet project. Eventually the SSA realized they could use this popular feature as a showpiece to lure in parents and educate them about other family programs. Thus the current name stats website was born.
The SSA's approach to name data keeps evolving. They've gradually tweaked and expanded the figures they make available, which are now the the world's best. Last year they tried to jazz things up, making the data release a Parade Magazine "exclusive" and adding some freaky talking babies to their website. This year, who knows?
On behalf of the name-loving public, let me beg the SSA to keep doing what it does so well. (No, dearest actuaries, that does not mean more talking babies. Please, no.) Baby name statistics deliver a lot of cultural bang for the buck. We love them, and we love you for providing them. See you in May, SSA! I hope.
In Memoriam: UK Baby Name Statistics
01/07/2009, 10:39AM
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Comments
Guest-I like it enough but probably always would want to go to Mallory or Allie. Why did they not use Mallory its such a pretty name? This one along with Bethany, Jessica and some others are so underused now. Any thoughts anyone on why the falling out of such nice names on girls? Or am I just still stuck in the 70's?
Zoerhenne - It seems like people are wanting to chose 'fresh' names. Names that aren't being used by their own peer group (born in the 70s). Those beautiful, underused names are all attached to women in their late 20s, 30s and early 40s. Also, we don't seem to want to use our parent's names either, plenty of those female names are not used at all, Linda, Donna, Phyllis, Janet. Fresh either means names that haven't been used, made-up names, boy's names, surnames, or resuscitated names - like the ones we are always talking about: Esme, Clementine, Ada, Mathilda.
Lots of beautiful names remind us of someone else we already know. These fresh, *new* names don't have attachment (usually), unless it's a grandparent or great-grandparent that we can romanticize. Choosing one of these fresh names gives new possibility for that child, and also the hope of being more unique.
That is my best guess.
Can anyone tell me how one would pronounce the name Rowen? Is it pronounced the same as Rowan (RO-un)? I saw somewhere (can't remember where) that it's a Jewish name meaning happy/song, and liked that. Someone told me that it's Ro-WEN, which would be a little odd...and then when I tried to search for the pronounciation an agricultural term rau-en came up...ugh.
I'm sorry, I meant Ronen, not Rowen...sigh...maybe it's time to go to sleep.
Miranda - in the Sci Fi show Stargate Atlantis, Ronon is pronounced RO - nen. Don't know if that helps.
"I saw somewhere (can't remember where) that it's a Jewish name meaning happy/song"
Mirnada, if that is a Jewish name, it is unfamiliar to me. However, Shira is a female name meaning song, and Simcha is a male name deriving from the root for 'happy'--a simcha is a happy event like a wedding. To wish someone "happy holiday" is chag someach. Both names are Hebrew.
Sutton, I'm drawn to your recent addition of Lyra. Would you pronounce it Lee-ra or Lie-ra? It would certainly continue the streak of daughters named after strong women characters from British fantasy novels. I don't know if either character is so well known as to read "fantasy geek," but if that attribution would bother you it's something to think about. I also really like Iris, which is so beautiful and so under-used, yet perfectly familiar.
Lachlan is a terrific name.
Fourth of July names, hmmm. Off the top of my had I'm thinking Blaise. Even though etymologically it's unrelated to blaze, it still reminds me of fire, fireworks, heat, etc. I'd also suggest:
Sunny, Willow, Prarie
Martha (Washington)
Apple (Pie)
Lake
Nellie/Eleanor (Forbush -- as in "I'm as corny as..." or Roosevelt)
Molly (Pitcher)
Nathan or Hale
and the usual collection of "founding fathers" names (George, Franklin, Benjamin, Thomas, etc).
Really, anything that makes me think of either summertime and rural Americana (I live in a big city, but Fourth of July is ingrained in my psyche to consist of country picnics) or our early national heroes.
I'm really liking Nathan/Hale more and more as a July fourth tribute name. I used to live on the Upper East Side near the plaque that commemorates the suspected place of his hanging (around 66th and 3rd, I think). I still stop and read it every time I pass and think about how different the spot was two hundred years ago when he was executed and how young he was.
Miriam, a quick Hebrew-related question (please let me know if answering these becomes tiresome). A former sorority sister of mine just gave birth and her facebook page, in addition to the usual "Congrats!" and "Mazel Tov" posts also has many, many posts of "Mabrouk." I'm guessing it's a congratulatory expression, but what does it mean and how is it pronounced? Is it only used in reference to giving birth? Thanks!
Penelope you said "Fresh either means names that haven't been used, made-up names, boy's names, surnames, or resuscitated names - like the ones we are always talking about: Esme, Clementine, Ada, Mathilda".
Thank you for your insight. While I do agree that many people are trying to find a fresh name, I don't find the above names fitting the bill for me. I know it is good that all of us have our own style. The above names make me think old-fashioned and unusual. Names like Bethany, Jessica for me have a softer sound which I like. So, I have answered my own question-It is because we are all different that we have an appreciation for different styles of names. I guess I am still stuck in the 70's!
To my knowledge 'mabrouk' is Arabic for congratulations, used for all occasions which would warrant such. Are those offering "mabrouk" Arabs? I am not up on colloquial Israeli Hebrew, but it is certainly possible that Mizrahi Jews (those with origins in North Africa) who moved to Israel may have introduced the term into Hebrew usage. Someone familiar with Israeli conversational Hebrew may be able to give a more authoritative answer.
I like Mallory! The only ones I can think of are the character in The Baby-Sitter's Club and on Family Ties. Both bookish girls I related to. Allory sounds to me like it's missing something. But the sound also reminds me of Ellery which gets talked about from time to time here. Maybe because of that, Mallory also sounds cute and young to me. I think it could fit in today.
But yeah, I also like some of my mom's generation of names (b. '40s/'50s).
Our daughter L@urel C@te was born at home just before dawn on Thursday -- and we only figured out what to name her on Saturday morning! It was strange having a nameless child around the house for over 48 hours.
Her middle name is in honor of her paternal great-grandmother's maiden name, Ten Cate. (It's Dutch / Frisian and in the homeland would be pronounced "CAW-tuh." Here in the U.S., however, it's just "KAYTE.")
Thanks to all for the helpful discussions! It came down to Alice Dorothe@ versus L@urel Margaret, but then my husband realized she looks like her great-grandma -- thus the "C@te."
Congratulations, NAR. What a lovely name -- and worth waiting 48 hours for. Laurel Cate...pretty and meaningful too. I bet she'll love the story of how she got her middle name.
NAR: Love the name and the story! I am a big fan of names adapting and changing as they travel through time and place, like the pronunciation of Cate in your family. I think it reflects the reality of life! Sorta like the name lists of the original post!
NAR -- Congrats on Laurel Cate! What a super name. Absolutely lovely and a cool family connection to boot.
Cograts to you and your family, Nar. I love the name you chose-- it's simple and not-so-common and very pretty!
According to the writer of an editorial on nut allergies in the LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-stein9-2009jan09,0,3149168.column), Aidan is a yuppie (i.e., "rich, lefty") name:
"And genes certainly don't cause 25% of parents to believe that their kids have food allergies, when 4% do. Yuppiedom does....
"I would like to see a study that measures one's increased likelihood of peanut allergies if you're an American kid named Oliver, Aidan, Spencer or Finn."
The only one of these I buy is "Oliver." Thoughts?
NAR-Congrats! Laur3l Cat3 is a lovely name.
HMF-I'm not sure about the names, but the writers thoughts are funny.
NAR-- Great news! "Laurel Cate" is very pretty and reminds me of one of my favorite nieces, named "Laurel Katherine", the Katherine for her grandmother (my mother). I think she has found it to be a very distinctive name, not having had to share it with many others in her classes, etc.
And if you are ever looking for a nickname, there's the prepster "Lally" or sporty "L.C."...
congrats on the new little one NAR! May she be as pretty as her name. :)
Re: Allory - With all due respect, it strikes me as a made up name. But as its sound is nevertheless pleasing, I can see a certain appeal. Mallory sounds so out that it's back in! Some 60's era names are making a small comeback - I've heard of several little Susans born in the last year.
@NAR - Congratulations & enjoy the journey with little Laurel!
@HMF - re: the LA editorial's claim that Oliver, Aidan, Spencer & Finn are "yuppie" names. I think Aidan & its alternate spellings are so common now that the name no longer signals membership in any particular subculture. Perhaps the other 3 names do signal yuppie-dom, if one is generalizing, though personally, the handful of Spencer & Olivers I happen to know of were born to hipsters, not yuppies.
Re: the word "mabrouck" - my understanding is that it is a corruption of an Arabic phrase meaning "Congratulations," and has been co-opted into popular Israeli slang to mean something like "congrats." It is also used in the Sephardic community as synonymous with "mazel tov."
HMF, I noticed all four of those names -- Oliver, Aidan, Spencer, Finn -- are on Nameberry's "Yupster Names" list. Maybe that's where the LA Times writer got his impression that those 4 are Yuppie names.
Sutton:
Personally I like Lavender. I think its a fresh alternative flower name. I think it is very pretty and girly sounding. I didn't think of any bad connotations personally.
NAR- Congratulations... I have a particular fondness for Laur3l, since it is my mother's name. Her childhood nn was "Lolly;" sometimes, her brother still calls her that. She didn't like her name growing up because of the Laur3l and Hardy connection (which by the way, I don't think is an issue in today's world) and so is surprised whenever she hears that someone has chosen the name for their baby. I think Laur3l Cat3 is especially beautiful!
zoerhenne- I've been enjoying reading your writings about Bethany. I personally don't think of Bethany as a 70's name, but as more of a 80's and even 90's name (even though I was born in the late 70's). I've never met anyone with my name who is older than me (although I've heard of a couple), but around the time I was ten, little baby Bethanys began to pop up all around the church nursery.
I do believe that Bethany is a very Christian name, as I have not met one that hasn't been brought up in the church. My dad was in the ministry, and I've known several other Bethanys who had parents in the ministry. What do you think, is it a Christian only name?
Wow, I’ve been away from this conversation for just a few days and I feel like I’ve missed so much!
Bethany: The Bethanys I know are Evangelical Christians in their late teens or early twenties. I think there is a lot of appeal in a name that is at once Biblical, a place-name, familiar (because it can be shortened to Beth), and yet not as tired as so many Biblical names are (especially girl names, as the pool just isn’t that large). I could definitely see it being used on a little girl born today, just because it is so appealing.
NAR: Congratulations! I love the name Laurel. What a wonderful choice, and worth the wait!
Regarding Mallory: As nice (and sort of trendy) as the sound is, I don’t think I could get away from the meaning, which my go-to name book (Carol McD. Wallace) says is “unhappy, unlucky.” I think you’d have a hard time finding a more awful meaning in the whole book of baby names.
Sutton: Count me as one who likes Lavender a lot. I find it refreshing and bold, yet feminine. How many great flower names are there that don’t sound too simpering or end in an “a”? (Iris, another of your picks, is another) I also like Lilac, but there are pronunciation difficulties with that one.
Patricia: I’m responding to your posts from a while ago, which were greatly appreciated. You pegged me as being interested in Scotland… I have a Scottish maiden name myself (though I’m not sure how much actual Scottish ancestry I have, since the critical name-bearing ancestor was adopted). Anyway, it is interesting that many of the names on our list are on the Scottish top 100. And, speaking of Scottish names, my husband has actually come around on James called Jamie :), and it is now a top contender. I liked reading about your Robert and James - I do agree that those two go together marvelously well!
Bethany-I don't actually know any personally (like friends or family or neighbors or such). But a reality show a few years back had a Bethany and I liked her alot. She was I believe the daughter of a minister and brought up in a very faith-based community in NC. So I guess I would have to agree.
Jane-Congrats on your husband coming around! I really don't think that if your son becomes a James/Jamie that there will be any problem down the road (past when he's 10 or so) to change it back to James. But by then he may also be labeled something like Shorty, Butch, or Meat by his peers.
NAR - congratulations! Love Laurel Cate, and love the Dutch connection. I used to work in the very similarly named TenKatestraat in Amsterdam.
Laura W - loved the aside in your post about Alfie and Poppy. Please please could you do a little more analysis on UK naming habits as we lose our stats - your reasons for the differences you see, that kind of thing?
@ 71: "In the US, that has to be done before mother and baby can leave the hospital."
Nope. No hospital is going to keep you from being discharged just because you haven't put a name on the birth certificate--the insurance companies wouldn't allow that, for one thing. Maternity ward staffs surely encourage that you fill out the forms, hoping to take one obligation off a new mother's list, but they can't force the matter.
The baby needs a legal name to get a Social Security number and a passport; and the baby needs an SS number to be claimed as a dependent for tax purposes. So there's strong motivation to get the kid a real name before very long. But "Baby Boy" and "Baby Girl" can go on the birth certificate, as far as the states are concerned. Bureaus of vital statistics are far more interested in the count of boys and girls than in naming decisions.
Ok NEs, I need your help.
I'm 27 weeks pregnant and looking for a boy's name. If it is a girl, we are going with Jane Emilia, after two great-grandmothers.
Our son is Timothy Joseph (Joseph is a family name). About us: we are in our late 30's live in a blue state, but a "purple" household. We are "fuddy-duddy" namers as discussed several months back. My husband prefers a Catholic Saint's name. I prefer an easily recognized, spelled, and pronounced name that isn't outrageously popular. Italian last name similar to "Gotti"
Our top name right now is Samuel. It is a little too popular for my tastes, but it is a very likely choice, possibly with James or John as a middle.
Other names we've considered:
Edward (DH nixed - childhood bullies)
Christopher (DH loves, I think too popular)
Henry (DH not sold)
Peter (DH doesn't like the phrase Steel P...)
Linus (both of us love this dark horse name with both the Peanuts and Linus Pauling reference - both of us have chemistry degrees. It is probably too "out there" for us to really use).
For girls we talked about: Margaret, Ruth, Elizabeth
Our three-year old thinks boy or girl, the name should be "Henry Gordon" after the Thomas the Tank Engine trains.
Can anyone convince me that I'll get over Samuel's popularity?
Megan W-
I think so. I don't find Samuel to be overly popular where I live. Name Voyager shows it last around #25 in popularity-- but as we've discussed, there is such a variety in naming now that a name around #25 is nowhere near getting the Michael or Jennifer effect.
For what its worth, I know a sibset named Timothy and Christopher. But you are right, Christopher is top 10 which might make you hesitate. Personally, I'd avoid Henry so you don't get stuck in a pattern of naming all boys to end in y.
Some other ideas (if you are interested)
Paul
Adam
Patrick
Robert
Charles
Richard
George
It sounds like you are all set with a girls name. Good luck!
I like Aybee's suggestions, especially Charles and Patrick. Would "Christian" be an acceptable "Christopher" alternative? I like "Samuel" VERY much also, and don't run into it THAT often, despite its popularity. "Simon" is less frequently seen.
"Timothy Joseph" is great, and I think it would go very well with a sibling Samuel, Simon, or Christian. Almost sounds like you'd be starting a little group of apostles!
There's also "Piers"-- (a very old "Peter" alternative), "Philip", "Lucas/or "Lucan", "Mark", "Lewis", "Malcolm", "Hugh" etc. All have that traditional vibe that I think goes well with "Timothy", with a possible future sister "Jane", and with an Italian name similar to Gotti...
NAR, forgot to add this about the name "Laurel":
My sister loves the film "The Chalk Garden", based on a much-produced Enid Bagnold play. I'm pretty sure it's where she got the idea to name my niece Laurel.
The movie with Dame Edith Evans, Deborah Kerr, John Mills and Hayley Mills has a haunting, magical quality. It has a beautiful, remote setting in southern coastal England, with cliffs and seagulls etc. Hayley Mills plays "Laurel", a troubled but lovable and ultimately redeemed teenager. Anyway, what fun it would be to show "your" Laurel, when she's old enough!
@Megan W. - Jane Emilia and Samuel James are both excellent choices. Despite its SSA ranking, I can't say I have ever heard of any little Samuels. I think Samuel goes well with Timothy. Go for it!
Megan W-Jane Emilia is very pretty as are your other choices. Very classic and not overly popular. I like Timothy Joseph too! As far as Samuel, I only know one in our area. He is brother to Seth and is about 5. My favorite name is Patrick (James or John). However, NONE of the names you or Aybee mentioned have been in the birth announcements heavily. I've heard Logan, Aiden, and other -n names so you're probably safe whichever you choose.
re: Bethany: The only one I know is a girl I met at church when I was a kid. She was younger than me so must've been born in the '80s. I believe she was the pastor's daughter or something like that.
Interesting names in my local listings:
Risten
Arwen
Jashua
Kaellum
Lennon
Ananda
I'm still having the scrolling problem, too. Laura W, is there anything you can do to help those of us who are experiencing this? It started ~3+ weeks ago and it is SO annoying. (It makes reading just a few posts take 5+ minutes).
Laurel Cate -- LOVE the names. Both were on our list, although Laurel just doesn't quite flow well with our last name.
I know a baby Samuel, brother to Noah. Parents are Jewish. Still, I agree that it is not overly popular.
I personally feel like Patrick is a very Irish name and that it would sound a bit odd with an Italian last name.
Ess Bee (another Sarah)
Hello all!
I am a very long time lurker and I really appreciate all of your insights into naming. I thought I would finally join the fray with a list of friends' babies born in 2008.
D@vid I@n
Audry, sibs Osc@r and 0gden
Brooks (b)
Ch1oe L@ne
Lil@
Hugh
Emm@ Br0wn
Genev@ M@i
J@ne (always J@nie)
P@trick D@vid, sib J@ck
Adel@ide Gr@ce
There are more, but they are escaping me at the moment.
Looking forward to jumping in more often!
I love the name Patrick. As the baby will have a tiny bit of Celtic heritage, it isn't completely out of place. My older relatives can't get past the "Paddy" nickname and see it as a FOB name. I see it as the FOB name of the 1920's.
I hadn't "heard" (in my head!) the -y ending sound of Timothy and Henry together. Hmmm. A little matchy. I'm glad you pointed that out.
I love the names suggested so far!
Megan W -- I know of only two Samuels. Both go by Sam now, although the older of the two was Samuel until he went to school. The first is 10 and has an 8-yr-old sister, Josephine (nn Josie). The second is 5 or 6 with a 2- or 3-yr-old sister, Emily. The two Sams are geographically remote from each other, though, which is my way of saying that locally it's not an overwhelmingly popular name. I know far more Ethans.
I think Samuel James is a nice match for Timothy Joseph and a possible Jane Emilia.
Megan W: I've known/heard of a few Patricks but never the Paddy nickname. I think some go by Pat if anything. How about Gabriel?
justrachelmarie: Is Genev@ M@i, Mai? Is it pronounced My or May? Reminds me of Chiang Mai. Is the family Asian? Audry is also interesting. Do you know why they chose that spelling? Oh wait, is it to have all kids with five letters in their name?
I would like some feedback on the name Marlow for a boy. What do you all think - will this be perceived as a girl name (with Marlo and the increasing prominence of girls' names ending in "o")? I like the name and it seems to have more substance to it than Arlo (which I also like).
Mirnada- I don't know if this helps but I have a friend named Ron whose mother is Israeli and says his name means "song". This is his explanation of why he is not a Ronald.
Megan W. -
I know several Samuels under 8 and two under 2 years old. (All are within church circles- but of several different ethnic backgrounds.) So, personally I would be wary. IF you love the name and aren't afraid of him running into someone else with his name here and there, go ahead though. It's a nice name. Let me second Simon and Phillip – I think they would be good matches.
Some other suggestions:
Stephen
Thomas
Francis
Edward or Edmund
Denis
Megan W:
I like Samuel. I do know 2 Samuel's one is 10, other 6 I think. I also know a baby named Sam he is 8 months.
Another name you might like is Jonathan Samuel. I thought it sounded really nice together... Jonathan has lots of nn possibilities... and I personally anyway don't know any little Jonathan's most are like 10-20 age range it seems.
Also thought you might like David or Aaron.
I know two Samuels, 2 years and 1 years old. So I do think it is a common name.
To me Marlowe looks like a boy (Christopher Marlowe), but Marlow and Marlo looks like a girl.
I only have a sec and haven't read all the responses yet. Please 'scuse if this has already been said:
Re: Ronen. A cousin's 7 yo son is named this, pron Ro-NEN. His father is Israeli/S. American and I understood that is was a reasonably Israeli name? Don't know if that helps!
@DRDS - The only Marlowe I've ever known/of would be in her 40's now, and is a beautiful Southern woman. She was given her mother's maiden name, Marlowe, as a call name. I think her birth name is something like Mary Marlowe. So I always will associate Marlo/w/e with the feminine side, but as it is not a very common name (yet) I think it could work right now for both boys & girls alike.
I would assume that Marlowe was a girl, but just yesterday I met a two-year-old boy named Harper. Despite the literary cache, I still can't get past the idea that a person named Harper harps and nags. Ugh!
NAR--Congratulations!!! I love the name you chose, very pretty and smart and strong. Best wishes to you and your family. :)
Re: Samuel--to me, it is a fairly common name for the baby/toddler set, much more common than Timothy (which I LOVE), Joseph, James, Jane, or Emilia. I know several of them in my limited circle of young acquaintances. However, I do think it's a very handsome, wonderful name, so if you don't mind him likely being one of several Sam(uel)s in his class, I'd go for it. I definitely like Linus off your list, and you and your DH's connection to it makes it even better. If that really is too unusual for you, I'd pitch for moving James to the FN spot, although that would be tough if you later had a girl and still wanted to use the FN Jane. I like Christian, but I wanted to warn you that, in my circle at least, Christian seems much more popular than Christopher. In fact, I don't know any young Christophers, and I think it has a sort of vintage-y, Christopher Robin appeal, especially with the nn Eo often suggests, Kit.
Keren, re: lavatory--well, it is an American word insofar as I'd expect most Americans to be familiar with it, but in my experience very few people actually use it on a regular basis. People here are much more likely to say restroom, bathroom, ladies' room, etc., so lavatory doesn't come immediately to mind (for me anyway) when I hear Lavender. Instead, I think of English or Italian gardens, the beautiful clean smell of the plant, its subtle grey green foliage and clouds of greyish purple flowers, the color lavender, etc. I think the word also has a nice flow and sound, and again, is a botanical name for girls that isn't too dainty or frilly. I considered it for our daughter, but DH nixed because he thought it sounded like soap or detergent (again, an appropriate connotation given the root meaning).
DRDS-I'm not sure about Marlowe. It could be either in my world. I like Marshall better for a boy and Marla for a girl as far as related names. Marlowe also makes me think of Harlow which has gotten a bit of use in girls lately.
Megan W-Nymbler seems to want your baby to be a Zachary if its a boy. It offered me about 5 alternate spellings of this when I input Jane and Timothy. I don't particularly think it goes well with an Italian last name though. I like the idea of Simon and think mixed with your mn choices it works. Also think of Daniel or Nathaniel as sound alike names to Samuel that might work.
Re: Marlow-- I definitely associate a girl with thisname. What about Marlon for a boy?
Re: Samuel. I like the name a lot, especially the nn Sam, which is so simple and dignified. But I find that it is quite common nowadays and goes along with the old is new again names like Charlotte and Evelyn. I really like the suggestion of Jonathan Samuel as an alternative.
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