The Baby Name Wizard

when are you going to update the "most popular names" on the left bar of your web page?

Congrats to the winners!

And good job Ms. Wattenberg!

How was this scored?

and what was the answer to the bonus question? i can't remember, but we were asked to predict the exact rank of a particular name. i can't remember the name precisely, or else i would have checked it on voyager. does anyone remember?

and guest: laura has some sort of complex mathematical formula to calculate scores; the rest of us simply sit in awe. :]

Congratulations to the winners! I think it would be neat if the rest of us who entered could find out what our scores were. (Note - I can't even remember what I entered!!!)

So interesting! "Piper" and "Marley" I see as having different "followings", if you will. Marley strikes me as a fad name-- one that will shoot up and then down fairly precipitously.

Piper was also driven by pop culture, but in a different way. It first came to the attention of NE's like me through the actress Piper Laurie, who I think made her first appearance in films in either the late Forties or early Fifties.

If I remember correctly, the actress had a pretty Italian name in real life. Would love to know how a press agent came up with "Piper Laurie"! But ever since, NE's who fancied themselves in the vanguard and who leaned "arty" seem to have loved the name. It is strong, but whimsical and ethereal too-- an interesting combo.

Gillian Anderson and a few other celebs bestowed it on their babies, but there has to be no doubt that little Piper Palin fueled this latest interest. A more cute, natural and unspoiled
example would be hard to find!

Eo, I too have wondered about Piper Laurie's name and did a quick search. Here's what I found on two websites:

Piper Laurie was born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 22, 1932. Her real name is Rosetta Jacobs, the daughter of a Polish, Jewish Immigrant, Alfred Jacobs and his Russian-American wife Charlotte Sadie Alperin.

...Universal Studios signed her as a contract player when she was only 17 years old, and changed her screen name to Piper Laurie. Rose was very upset when she learned her new name, since it soon became the butt of many jokes.

Some quotes from Piper Laurie regarding her name change:
#
Back then, everyone was Lana and Rock. No one had ethnic names.
(brainyquote.com)
#
Nobody thought of me as an actress. They just remembered that publicity story about my munching flower petals for breakfast. I even thought of giving up the name `Piper Laurie` because I felt there was a stigma attached to it. I never could figure out just how many parts I lost and how many parts I won because of this name. I know some producers and directors said, `Well, maybe she can act even if her name is Piper Laurie!`
(imdb.com)
#
I`ve always felt robbed of something by people not knowing I was a Jew.
(brainyquote.com)

Congrats to the winners! I always do pretty abysmally at this contest...I picked Audrina as a faller and Eli and Cullen as big risers. People who called Hannah as a faller have my especial props, because that came out of nowhere for me (though I can in retrospect see the reasons why it's losing steam).

From the other list, posting our state top 20. I'm in New York. I love seeing the city list when it comes out at later in the year--such an incredible microcosm. But in the meantime, the state:

Girls/Boys

1 Isabella / Michael
2 Olivia / Matthew
3 Sophia / Anthony
4 Madison / Daniel
5 Ava / Ryan
6 Emma / Joseph
7 Emily / Jayden
8 Abigail / Christopher
9 Sarah / Jacob
10 Samantha / Alexander
11 Mia / Joshua
12 Ashley / Nicholas
13 Chloe / Ethan
14 Elizabeth / David
15 Kayla / Justin
16 Brianna / James
17 Gabriella / Andrew
18 Gianna / John
19 Grace / William
20 Julia / Dylan

Is anybody else surprised to see Sarah in the top ten? I wonder if Sarah ranks as high in any other state currently.

Piper Laurie's name was coined, without any input or approval by her, in 1949. The name Piper appears to have made little impact on parents seeking names for their daughters, as it didn't make the top 1000 names until 50 years later in 1999.

Does anyone have any idea why Piper suddenly appeared on the SSA chart at #700 in 1999? Piper Palin was born two years later; in 2001 there were 410 girls + Piper Palin given the name Piper. Piper has been steadily moving up the chart since 1999, most recently from a rank of 240 in 2007 to 172 in 2008. It's hard to know how much Piper Palin influenced the rise of her name in 2008 since before her mother was picked as a VP candidate at the end of August, few had heard of her. There were only 4 months of birthing/baby naming left in 2008, which could mean that parents had already been gravitating towards "Piper" in the first two-thirds of the year -- or that parents suddenly discovered the name after Piper Palin appeared on the scene. If the latter, the name could be a big mover in 2009 too.

Fascinating, Patricia. I imagine it was the "Rosetta" that stuck in my head and made me think of Italian names.

'Rosetta (nickname Rose) Jacobs' is a neat name in its own right.

I always feel badly for actors of that period who felt robbed of their identities by studio-imposed names. Everyone from Edward G. Robinson to Tab Hunter submitted to some functionary's judgment as to how broadly "appealing" their name would be.

Lauren Bacall is another one who clung to her real name, with all her intimates calling her Betty. Yet, the stage name seemed to suit her insouciant personality perfectly, and for the Forties, "Lauren" was a name way ahead of its time...

Another implausible but colorful one I love is "Rory Calhoun", which fit the impossibly dashing actor to a T!

Despite her misgivings, I do still love the theatrical yet sylvan lilt of "Piper Laurie". Interesting how people in succeeding decades have responded to Piper positively as slightly avant garde and bohemian, much like my impression of the actress.

Another actress who gave us a great name over 60 years ago, was Greer Garson-- although in her case it was an authentic family name, was it not? I think Greer, Piper, and one of my new pashes, Lyndall, have a vaguely similar feeling...

Congrats, Dara and Jessa!

And thanks, Laura, for creating such a fun contest. This was my first year participating. I had no illusions of winning, but it was great fun to try.

Possibly why Piper made the list in 1999? Because of "Charmed," the Aaron Spelling-with-witchcraft TV show which went on the air in 1998. it featured three sisters named Prue, Phoebe, and Piper.

I'm embarrassed that I know that. Even more embarrassing: I've never actually seen the show, but I read the names in a magazine somewhere and remembered them. Serious name nerd-ery.

New baby born to a friend: Lylah Elizabeth

I was also going to suggest the TV show Charmed would have affected the name Piper. I don't know that the show was that mainstream, but then I guess the name hit a good cord.

Thanks, Circe! I was thinking the name jumped on the list after Piper Parebo starred in Coyote Ugly, only to find that movie didn't come out until 2000. Interestingly, Piper Parebo was named after Piper Laurie (according to imdb.com, and you know the internet is never wrong!)

Apparently it was a good year for girls' names ending in -r, although the total number is pretty small: Piper, Harper, and Parker all jumped more than 20%.

My predictions were not so great! Oh well, I'll be better prepared next year!

I have a question about the Social Security stats--they're based on the year when the parents register their child right? I was born in one state in December 1982, but my parents didn't register me for a Social Security number until the summer of 1983 in a new state. Therefore to compare my name to the statistics at large, I should be using the 1983 stats, not the 1982, correct?

Hmmm...but in that case, what about all the people born before 1936? So the SSA must've retroactively changed baby name states for the early years once adults started applying for Soc Sec numbers?

I can't remember what I picked for guesses in the baby name poll.

>_<

Along the lines of Anne with an E's question - do newly naturalized citizens receiving a ssn also get in the ranks? Or do they somehow keep it to just newborns?

And, Anne with an E, I think it's becoming less common for parents to wait to apply for a ssn. Hospitals try really hard not to let parents walk away without filling out that paperwork!

@CB, that makes me wonder if the more recent years have more accurate statistics.

According to Wikipedia, before 1986 you didn't have to have a SSN till you were 14.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_security_number

This makes me curious about all 1986 and earlier name data!

The doctor's office is calling...

Now that my baby is 3 weeks old, they are finally demanding a name for the birth certificate. I'd love your 11th hour vote.

The finalists are:

George Joseph Edward Gabriel

George Joseph Edward Owen

George Joseph Edward Alister*

*This spelling is after a favorite character in a favorite book. I am usually more traditional, and am still considering Alastair/Alasdair spellings.

...and of course Alistair

The data is more accurate for more recent years because more/if not all the population is registered. See below from ssa.gov

"All names are from Social Security card applications for births that occurred in the United States after 1879. Note that many people born before 1937 never applied for a Social Security card, so their names are not included in our data. For others who did apply, our records may not show the place of birth, and again their names are not included in our data."

The names are listed in the year of birth, not the year of registration.

Does anyone know the first year they started publishing this information? -- wait I just found it 1997.

I vote: George Joseph Edward Gabriel I like the double G, with different sounds

I have the impression that SSA didn't compile baby name stats until fairly recently -- probably the same year that they started publishing them.

While I love the name Alistair, I too vote George Joseph Edward Gabriel for the same reason as knp--the double G with hard and soft is delightful.

Allegra, this is a truly handsome name. Well done!

Yup, I agree. Individually, I like the name Gabriel less than Owen and Alister, but the name George Joseph Edward Gabriel is just beautiful. George and Edward have a sort of dry sound, and Joseph and Gabriel are more sensual. It's a great balance.

Allegr@ - very handsome names! Although I like the name Owen quite a bit, I, too, think Gabriel works particularly well. The three syllables after two two syllable names just sounds right to my ears.

(I guess Alistair would do that, too, but the only one I've ever known irl tainted that name for me.)

i know i'm in the minority but i think i prefer:
george joseph edward alistair. i like the two soft g sounds in the first two names (george joseph) and then the two names that start with vowels at the end (edward alistair). i prefer this spelling of alistair, though i understand wanting to reference a beloved book. however, alister is not an intuitive spelling to me.
my second choice would be gabriel--i definitely think ending with a 3 syllable name works best.

George Joseph Edward Gabriel gets my vote!

I vote for George Joseph Edward

Congrats to the winners! I picked Caylee as a riser as I said in the other thread but obviuosly had no clue about the others. Hannah-yes special kudos to those with that idea. I remember also picking Mason as a rising boys name, but I guess it didn't rise enough. Oh well, on to next years ideas.

Allegr@-I'm probably in the minority but I like the last 2 versions better. George Joseph Edward Owen/Alistair rolls off my tongue better. Good luck whatever you decide.

Anne with an E-the names are registered for the year of birth. If you were born in 1982 but not registered till 83 you would still compare your name to 82 stats. Regarding accuracy, the stats are accurate as to what the SSA had for data. What it is not-is precise. The stats are thrown off by those that it could not count because it was not known. So overall, the more recent years are probably more telltale of the nations population than latter ones.

A couple of interesting names I've seen recently:

Baby boy: Tythe (pronounced like and named after the money given to a church).

Teenage boy: Tequoia. I haven't actually met the kid, he registered at a program where I work and I was processing his paperwork. I'm looking forward to hear if it rhymes with Sequoia or not.

Oh! And congrats to all who predicted 2008's naming trends well. I admit that my name obsession only extends to sounds, I haven't yet incorporated trends, statistics and predicting into my love of naming.

congratulations, Dara and Jessa (and Laura)!

I picked Jaslene as a faller, so that would likely make a negative score...oh well:)

The Marley phenomenom seems a bit puzzling to me still- I grew up with two female Marleys, both of whom are now moms themselves, so the name seems really 80s...but apparently that's just a weird Marley bubble. But the similarity to Miley and Marely, plus the two pop-culture references to the movie and little Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt seem to have tipped the balance? Are there any other major influences? I don't think Bob Marley did anything special last year, did he?

Marlowe next year, anyone?

Re: the question of naturalized citizens included on the SSA list... per the SSA website, the names included on the list are for SS card applications for births in the USA only.

Oh, hee hee, I've said this before, but when I worked at a rather unsavory entertainment job my stage name was Piper. You can imagine the jokes the men made. So despite its cuteness I just couldn't do it.

But you can't swing a cat around here without hitting a girl with an -er name. Parker, Palmer, Harper, Piper, Taylor. I suppose it's the inevitable after Asher, Archer, Walker, Sawyer, and so on for boys. Myself, I can never help but think Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen.

I'm gonna go with the Gabriel crowd for Allegr@...

I vote George Joseph Edward Gabriel too. It looks and sounds together. George Joseph Edward Alasdair would be my second favorite, the 2 vowels are nice as well. I like the non-t spelling of Alasdair for some reason. Are they pronounced differently?

oops, copy and paste accident.

I like the Gabriel combo the least. The softness of Gabriel doesn't fit stylistically with the other three names in my mind. The Owen combo is neat because you have first syllables that make a little rhyme: George-Jo, Ed-Ow. (The Jo and the Ow rhyme.) I like the Alistair one as well.

Allegr@-I prefer Owen to Gabriel, so I'd vote for George Joseph Edward Owen

Allegr@-- Excellent! Please put me down for George Joseph Edward Alasdair/Alistair. (Pronunciation is the same for both, by the way.)

My reasoning is this: if you want the most timeless possible name, this would be it. Impossible to tell whether this baby was named a century ago or now. Both Gabriel and Owen, while good names, are more tied to certain (recent) time periods-- each has enjoyed, for lack of a better word, a certain "yuppie" vogue in addition to their historical use.

Here in America, Alasdair/Alistair has never had any faddish adherents, plus it is a sterling name.

I would definitely stick with one of the two above spellings, both of which are considered "standard". As much as you are fond of Alister, I don't believe it achieves the same substance... Anyway, congrats and good job!

I just had to dash off to drop Banks at school, but am back, and wanted to add this!

I can't remember if Allegr@ is your real name, but I think it is, and I don't know if this matters to you, BUT:

I love the slight hint or echo of your name in the first letters of Alasdair-- the "Al-" sort of ties you to your child in a very subtle but sweet way.
Sentimental, I know...Anyway, just a thought...

Allegr@--i like George Joseph Edward Alistair/Alasdair.

this is my first comment here but i frequently read the discussions and learn a lot. we're currently brainstorming names for our 2nd child (gender is still a surprise)... and i wanted to ask a question to y'all.

our first is rosemary and i'm currently loving the name rhys for a boy-- but i need sage name opinions: does it work alongside her name? what do you think?

slk34--welcome, and congratulations on your pregnancy. I do love your daughter's name. I also really like Sage as a name, but I don't think I would pick it to go with Rosemary. Any two herbs (especially common culinary ones) would be too themey for me personally, but I think that duo is especially problematic because of the song (you might get a lot of "where are parsley and thyme?" type jokes). I understand your situation, because most of my absolute favorite names are botanical, but having picked one for my daughter, I now feel pretty much boxed out from picking any other in the future.

hyz, your advice is quite 'sage' but maybe not helpful to slk34 ;) --(reread slk34's message, the name she is considering is Rhys!) I thank you for the chuckle this morning-- especially b/c I misread the post at first too!

Rhys and Rosemary could go together-- I feel they are different in style somehow, but I like how the R's tie them together but they have very different sounds

heh, hyz, i think there was a misunderstanding. sage isn't the name in question, but i understand why you thought it was. oops!

@Allegr@, I vote for George Joseph Edward Alister (any spelling you prefer).

@slk34, I like Rhys and Rosemary together.

@hyz, thanks from me, too, for the early morning giggle. I had to re-read slk34's post to see if she was considering Sage in addition to Rhys (sometimes I skim too much).

Ok, that's funny. I thought she was considering Rhys for a boy, and Sage for a girl. It's truly ambiguous without capitalization. So, if Rhys is the only name under consideration here, then I'd say it works fine with Rosemary. I agree with knp that while I'd usually avoid two names starting with the same letter, the names are different enough stylistically that it doesn't seem too matchy (that is, unless you plan to name your next kids Robin and Randolph, lol). Ok, I'm going to go have my coffee now.

Allegr@, I like George Joseph Edward Alistair (spelling doesn't matter much, but I think you'll always have to correct it if it's Alister, which might be fine) or George Joseph Edward Owen. I think the vowel sounds at the end make it easier to say. That said I don't think you'll really be going wrong any one you pick!

slk34- Rhys and Rosemary actually work quite well for me. They are different stylistically but because they have the same starting letter, they seem like they could belong to the same family.