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
Megan W -- The more I thought about it, the more I realized I know more than just the 2 Samuels I listed. So, yes, it's probably more common than I initially considered. That may not bother you, though. I also love Linus from your list, but if it's too out there, maybe it could be the mn? I do think Jonathan Samuel is a very nice choice that's been suggested by other posters. I really don't know any young Jonathans (nor do I know any young Timothys).
DRDS -- I would immediately assume Marlow was a girl, although it does make sense as a boy's name.
The only Marlow I've ever known is a 60-year old man. I would think Marlo would be feminine (like Thomas) and Marlow/Marlowe masculine.
re: Marlow: I was surprised to find out Marlo was a female name. and the only one I know is Marlo Thomas so Marlow(e) does sound male to me. Someone mentioned Harlow but I don't *think* this is too popular; it's just Nicole Richie's daughter putting it in the spotlight right?
Megan W, I want to suggest that you and your husband go with the name you like best and not worry about how popular it may be. Per SSA stats, in 2007 Samuel was #25, yet of the other classic boys' names that have been suggested several are equally as popular as Samuel or more so: Daniel (5), Christopher (6), Christian (22), Jonathan (23). I haven't found Samuel to be that widespread and know only one young man -- about 20 years old -- with that name. My twin grandsons James (#15) and Andrew (#10) are in their third year of school and so far, no other boy in their classes have had the same name as either of them. There hasn't been a single Samuel in any of their classes. On the other hand, there were two boys named Adrian (61) in their preschool class last year. Really, it's unpredictable unless you choose a "probably too 'out there'" name like Linus, which has rarely been in the (very bottom) of the top 1000, the last time being 1940 (#954).
Timothy is a strong, classic, 'standard' name. I would suggest you give his brother a name of the same sort. Of your short list, I especially like Christopher with Timothy. I also like your husband's idea of another saint's name and/or another New Testament name.
I like Lavender as a name. I love both the smell and the plant. I didn't think of the lavatory association. I haven't yet decided if I'm brave enough to use it as a first name personally, but I think it is lovely.
Megan W - I second Patricia's comments on popularity and the choice of Christopher with Timothy. I was surprised to see the high rankings of these names. However, I live in a Mountain West state that favors unusual names and rarely see these traditional names. In fact of the children under 10 that I know, I only know a Samuel, Matthew, and Christian. So I would take a look at Name Mapper or the SSA stats by state, if this is important to you.
Side bar....
Local Quad alert:
Eddie IV (B)
Elijah (B)
Armani (G)
Amanda (G)
2 are identical. Not sure which set. Odd pairings IMHO. I love Elijah and Amanda, but Armani??? Eddie IV I get, I guess.
Armani...wow!
I really wish they would release the name of the Affleck/Garner baby. I am anxious to see what girl name they paired with older sister Violet which is definitely my style. I did some looking around online and read something about a leak from the hospital that the baby's name is Chase Milan. I really don't want to believe that since it's not confirmed and the fact that the name really doesn't match well with Violet.
Regarding the quad names, I wonder if the parents arrived at the names like this: Eddie IV and Armani. Now a name to go with each of these: Eddie IV and Elijah; Armani and Amanda. And look, Elijah and Amanda match too. Rather clever!
Patricia - Thanks, the Nameberry/"Yupster" connection makes a lot of sense.
DRDS - I think "Marlow" works just fine as a name for boy. My first association with the name is not Christopher Marlowe or Philip Marlowe or Marlo Thomas, but rather a male character from the last few seasons of HBO's "The Wire" -- and he was about as close as that show got to having an out-and-out villain. His first name was Marlo -- that spelling.
AMG-Ugg! NMS and a little too matchy for me, but certainly I wish the best to the family and their new little ones. I can't imagine the handful of fun/frustration 4 will bring.
NMS either, Zoerhenne, but each to his/her own -- and at least there's no 'kre8tive' spelling involved.
As the primary caregiver, along with my husband, of 5-year-old twin boys (grandsons), I can certainly empathize with the task ahead for this family -- the joys and the challenges. (I wonder if they have any other children.)
For me, the immediate association for the name Marlow is the seafaring narrator of a number of Joseph Conrad's novels. As far as I remember, he's only called Marlow, though I assume it's actually his last name. Still, it's a very masculine association.
NPR just aired an interview with two girls living in Alaska named Chastity (aged 12) and Harmony (aged 11). The interview had nothing to do with their names or their friendship; they just happened to be together. But I thought it was an interesting juxtaposition of virtue names.
Went to an event locally yesterday and forgot to post names I overheard. I don't believe any were siblings and forgot to note ages but:
Dakota, Philadelphia, Tabitha nn Tabby.
Tirzah, maybe you want to consider Philadelphia for your naming situation. I'm sure there are many nn's Eo can come up with.
I know someone named Kass1op1a (who goes by Kass1) who has a sister named Ph1ladelph1a (who goes by Delh1).
Megan W:
I'd like to just second Patricia's comments about not worrying too much about the popularity of a name like Samuel or Christopher. A few additional thoughts:
1) I think boys worry about the popularity of their names a lot less than girls do. It never bothered my husband that his name (Joshua) has been top ten for his whole life. It would have bothered me, but again, I think for boys, it's just nice to have a cool name (meaning a top name).
2) There's a difference between trendy and popular. That is, Aidan/Aiden will be totally date-stamped in a decade or two, but Samuel and Christopher won't be. Similarly, Nevaeh is a whole different name than Elizabeth (#10).
re: Bethany
2 of the 3 i've come across have been from churchy families. The other one had a southern accent, so maybe there's a good chance she's from one as well.
Catholic sounding names
Are Sam and Tim too matchy?
To me Christian seems like a very Protestant name. It says "we're Christian, not catholic." Christopher would be Catholic. Nor do I see Jonathan as Catholic at all, but first Jewish or second Evangelical. John would be Catholic. The wiki site for 'Italian chemists' yields some interesting results: Amedeo, Stanislao, Eligio, Icilio, Corrado, Ascanio.
Re: virtue names, a friend of mine just had a little Radiance (girl). Never heard this one before. Are non-traditional virtue names making a comeback? We could have some fun with this...
overheard in line for parking permit at a midwestern state university: a girl gave (and spelled) her name: Cayme (rhymes with Jamie). i assumed she was an undergrad.
Sorry to hijack...but I am reading "The Indian In the Cupboard" with my older son, and I was struck by the unique names of the siblings in the story. The protagonist is a boy named Omri, and his brothers are Gillon and Adiel. The story is set in the UK. I have never heard of these names outside of this storybook though. The best I can get on Google is that Omri and Adiel are both hebrew names. Does anybody out there know anything more about the names? And, how is Omri pronounced? Is is "Ah-mri," or "Oh-mri?" Thanks, NE's!
I know a 13 year old boy named Adiel. He is Hispanic and lives in Texas. I thought it was a Hispanic name, whoops! The 'A' is pronounced like an 'ah'. His family is from Mexico, so that is the Mexican pronunciation. I really like Adiel.
Radiance is a really nice virtue name. I hadn't thought of that one.
I knew a couple of Bethanys but they weren't particularly religious. Bethany is really pretty.
LOL I feel a bit like Charlotte the spider from Charlotte's Web. Let's all go out into the figurative world and see what virtue names we can come up with. Guest-no offense to your friend! I actually think Radiance is a cool name. Very unique, but this is what your post made me think of. So, I will add Brilliance (with nn Brill or Lia) to the list since it also makes me think of Tirzah's quest for July 4th type names.
Omri and Adiel are Israeli names. Not sure about Gillon although it also sounds Israeli. My friend in Israel has just had a daughter, named Adiele Hanna Luisa - a very pretty combination. Adiel means jewel of God.
Last season, I actually watched part of "The Real Housewives of New York", and we discussed some of the names here, including the "frenchified" naming style of an almost hysterically upwardly striving couple.
But, one of the more likable and less pretentious "housewives" was named "Bethany", except I think she spelled it in an unusual way, like "Bethenny" or something. If I were guessing her religion, I would say possibly Jewish?
Zoerhenne- I'll play: Worthy, Honesty, True, Tender, Cheery, Fortune, Delight, Eternity, Valiant, Prove, Honor
Wow, regarding the Garner/Affleck baby: Just came across an old article in which Affleck vows that he will not bestow any "crazy" or trendy Hollywood -type names. Good. Prefers traditional names, like baby daughter Violet.
But I wonder if he realizes that the giving of CERTAIN traditional names, (just like "Violet") is, in and of itself, a trend?!
The article also said if it was a boy, he liked "Benjamin" as another traditional name. Didn't say it was because it was HIS name, but he likes it because of his idol, Benjamin Franklin.
I don't believe there are too many substantive things that B. Affleck and I agree on, but admiring Benjamin Franklin, and giving the name to a namesake, is one!
Now if they suddenly announce the new child's name is "Sparkplug Detente Proportional Response Affleck", I'm going to be annoyed...
Celeb baby alert:
(Jan. 12) - 'Ugly Betty' actor Christopher Gorham and his wife Anel have welcomed their third child, they confirm to PEOPLE exclusively.
"She's perfect," Gorham tells PEOPLE of the new addition, Alondra Cecilia Lopez Gorham, who was born early Saturday morning.
This is the first girl for the college sweethearts who have two sons -- Lucas and Ethan.
Seems like it fits perfectly with the Lily, Emily, Amelia, and so forth trend. I like it.
Bethany-Good job on the virtue names! Some of those don't sound too crazy. Valiant and Delight could work.
Ronen is an Israeli name in my experience. The root is related to singing and rejoicing--there is a song called "Lechu Neranena" which means "go and rejoice"--the root in the second word is "ron/ran."
As far as I can remember, the names in Indian in the Cupboard are names of old kings of Israel. I believe Little Bear finally asks Omri about it in a later book. I think Adiel is very nice.
I have a colleague whose father's name was Welcome. Now THAT is a virtue name! And for a boy no less.
Eo--I read the same thing as you when doing a search for Baby Affleck/Garner's name. It is nice to see someone in Hollywood that is for more traditional names. I also read that they named Violet after Jennifer Garner's grandmother. And Violet's middle name, Anne, is also a family name. All of this info makes me not want to believe that the new daughter's name is Chase Milan.
Celeb baby name alert: Charlotte Church named her new son Dexter. I feel like that's a name that's gotten some play around here lately.
"But, one of the more likable and less pretentious "housewives" was named "Bethany", except I think she spelled it in an unusual way, like "Bethenny" or something. If I were guessing her religion, I would say possibly Jewish?"
Eo, that would be Bethenny Frankel who has been on a number of different reality shows. Her father was a well-known trainer of race horses, and she grew up immersed in that world. Her mother she apparently doesn't speak of. Frankel is a name borne by Jews, but that is irrelevant in determining whether she is Jewish. That would depend on her mystery mother. She is a good bit older than the recent popularity of Bethany, so her name may be different, perhaps a mashup of Beth and Penny, who knows.
Sad Naming News: I read on a different site that Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck NEVER RELEASED VIOLET'S NAME TO THE PRESS!! They only provided the time and date of birth. The first name and middle name was leaked and then subsequently confirmed in later interviews.
If this is true, that means we won't get a confirmation on the new baby's name until the next round of publicity interviews, which could be months away!! :(
If I recall correctly. The name was leaked before she was even born. I remember there was an article about the baby shower and how she received bibs with their name embroidered on it and it was all a VIOLET theme.
Concerning Marlow--I instantly thought of The Wire character on HBO. The character is not a nice association but it's not a widely viewed show. I think Marlow could be male/female.
It's blend of Marley (f) and Milo (m). Marley + Milo + Marlow.
Elizabeth T, "Welcome" reminds me of another man I met named Witness, except I think it was spelled differently, maybe "Wittness" with two T's.
Welcome may be the only man I've heard of with a virtue name!
It's Seraphina Rose Elizabeth Affleck!!!!!
@toothfairy - Omri is an Israeli name, pronounced "OHM - rhee." The 2 men I know by the name Omri are both in their early 40s.
I can't say that I'm in love with the name Seraphina, but it is pretty. It doesn't seem to be in the same vein as Violet, but maybe that's just me? What do you guys think?
Also, I asked this once before in a previous thread, but has anyone heard of the name "Carden." My cousin named her baby girl this name and it sounds a bit kre8tive to me. Heard it before?
To me Seraphina falls into the frilliana category of names. Violetta and Seraphina seem to be a closer match. When I was in high school, I thought Seraphim would be a great name with the meaning "angels." I wonder if she will go by the name Sera?
Serafina Rose Elizabeth will be well-loved and it is not objectionable,yet,nms. I would have named her Eloise Pearl, I think...but they didn't call.Alas.
I think I like Seraphina, but it is a little surprising after Violet. I guess they are both sort of old-fashioned... Definitely more frilliana though, but Violetta and Seraphina might be too matchy... I do like the idea of Violet and Sera... wonder if it is a family name...
Thanks for the news, Tirzah!
lol, tess--maybe they should've called you. It seems to me I've heard a number of people talking about the name Seraphina lately. NMS, but not so bad. I can see it matching with Violet in sort of a sweet, romantic, antique-y way, although I agree that in terms of sound, at least, they seem pretty different. Ah well--I guess with expectations running so high, they were bound to disappoint somewhat.
Baby name alert: H3nry Emm3t (brother is Ch4rlie). Thanks for everyone who weighed in with ideas for this little guy.
Re: Seraphina, it's a bit frilly for me, esp when compared to Violet, but it's nice enough and I like the nn Sera. That matches quite nicely with Violet. Eloise Pearl would have been lovely. They should have asked you, tess!
Seraphina is nice but nms either, I love Eloise Pearl... wasn't there someone on here a while back that asked about Seraphina as a possible name?
The only problem with the lovely name Eloise is that it loses some distinctiveness among all of the Ellas, Ellies and Elles. Plus, I know an Elle whose full name is Elle Louise, a homonym to Eloise.
I don't like "Seraphina".
Although, sme, we should be glad they didn't go with "Chase Milan", as you had heard. That would have been a real clash with Violet-- a sporty surname-name with a gently nostalgic flower name.
Of course, not everyone insists on having sibling names be at least somewhat compatible with each other, but it seems so much nicer when they are, to me at least!
tess, your choice was perfect! I would have also liked with Violet:
Sibyl
Augusta
Phoebe
Marian/Marion
Gwyneth (But I guess it was not in the cards for B. Affleck to bestow the name of an old girlfriend on his child! Maybe Winifred?)
I'm not even crazy about "Sera" as a nickname.
Maybe they'll come up with something more unexpected-- like my relative whose name is "Sutherland" has done. She is sometimes called "Suthie" but also "Suds", which is fun.
"Seffie" for Seraphina? Senna? Anybody have any good ideas?
Seraphina is NMS but at least its not something like Seattle or Serendipity. How about that to add to our virtue collection?
That's funny, zoerhenne! Amen. Thought of two more Violet-compatibles:
Hester
Cecily
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