Celebrity Baby Name Faceoff: Shirley vs. The World
We live in a celebrity-drenched world, and the celeb-media effect spills over into America's nurseries. Each year, thousands of babies receive names inspired by newly famous performers, tv and movie characters, and reality tv personalities.
As we see baby names like Khloe and Cullen plucked straight from the screen, it feels like a sign of the times. Is celebrity naming really a marker of the 21st Century? Were parents of the pre-Brangelina era less susceptible to the allure of fame?
It's time for a Fame Faceoff: the hottest celebrity names of this generation versus the champion from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Shirley.
Shirley's owes its life as a girl's name to the title character of an 1849 Charlotte Brontë novel. Brontë expected her audience to read the name as peculiar for a girl, writing:
"She had no Christian name but Shirley: her parents, who had wished to have a son, finding that, after eight years of marriage, Providence had granted them only a daughter, bestowed on her the same masculine family cognomen they would have bestowed on a boy"
The name's popularity rose over the course of decades, and by 1928, Shirley was a top-ten name for girls. It then settled in at a steady level for several years. But one of the Shirleys born in 1928 was a dimpled actress/singer/dancer named Shirley Temple. By 1934, this young Shirley was a movie star.
You might think that such a well-established hit name wouldn't experience much of a celebrity boost, but Miss Temple's popularity was enormous. Here's a graph of what happened in the first two years of her Hollywood reign.
What would be a suitable modern comparison? Well, the fastest-rising name of 2007 also arrived on the shoulders of wildly popular acting/singing/dancing girl: Miley Cyrus. Let's compare the hottest rising years of the names Shirley and Miley.
Hmm. Judging by that graph, this isn't a faceoff, it's a bloodbath. Big Shirley wipes up the turf with Miley.
Maybe it's a problem of scale. The "hotness formula" I use to calculate fast-rising names considers the percentage change in popularity, along with the number of babies involved. A name that starts out near zero can experience a huge percentage change.
What if we focus on modern celebrities who produced the biggest boost in number of babies, to move up to Shirley's scale? We could also add up multiple celebrity influences, to match Shirley's starting level in today's more diverse naming culture.
Over the past two years, America's three fastest-rising names based on number of babies were Liam, Mason and Harper. Like Shirley, all three names were first fashionable, then celebrity-boosted: Liam by a "One Direction" singer and a Hunger Games actor; Mason by the son of reality-tv personality Kourtney Kardashian; Harper by several celebrity babies. If you add all three together, you get a starting point equal to Shirley's pre-Shirley Temple usage. Let's compare.
It's still no contest. The Shirley Temple factor was more than three times the size of today's top three celebrity boosts combined. In fact, it's unimaginable for any celebrity today to have a name impact close to Shirley Temple's. The boost she gave to her name between 1933 and 1935 was bigger than the total popularity of today's #1 boys' and girls' names, Jacob and Sophia, put together.
Was Shirley an anomaly -- an anachronistic celebrity name in an otherwise tradition-minded era? Or could celebrity baby name trends have deeper roots than we think? More on this question next time.
Comments
I love these kinds of posts that put trends into perspective!
That is truly remarkable! Excellent info as always, Laura! "Shirley" with such wide naming diversity today, it doesn't matter very much if people do follow a trend because the numbers don't compare to trends of yesteryear.
Trends apply, only, if you feed into them. Name your child whatever you want, obviously, the STARS did not care if their kid was names after a fruit or city. If it rolls from your tongue, it is destiny...
This is fasinating :D
I was introduced to the name Katalaya just this last Monday. I'd never heard of it before and had to do some Medical Negligence
Very helpful information. Keep on posting like this.
Heroes of Dragon Age Free Gold
This is a wonderful article, Given so much info in it, These type of articles keeps the users interest in the website, and keep on sharing more psn code generator
Name your child whatever you want, obviously, the STARS did not care if their kid was names after a fruit or city. If it rolls from your tongue, it is destiny
Seo Service Barcelona
Good luck, and congratulations on the pregnancy. Please do let us know what you decide Thanks.
www.trustdeedscotland.info
I feel delighted to read such a good post, I would like to thank the Author for this marvelous efforts. This post is good in regards of both knowledge as well as Zoner Photo Studio Free Download
I've found this has a good stuff for the readers and designers. I would be glad to recommend the post for its quality content. Nice post is bubblegum casting legitimate
This is a wonderful article, Given so much info in it, These type of articles keeps the users interest in the website, fashion tights
We could also add up multiple celebrity influences, to match Shirley's starting level in today's more diverse naming culture. pikalaina 200
The name's popularity rose over the course of decades, and by 1928, Shirley was a top-ten name for girls. It then settled in at a steady level for several years.
http://dangerousgarciniacambogia.com
My partner and i would like to fully grasp this Best Yacon software. Even if My partner and i don't win, I'll purchase this. Sooner or later.
One of the more impressive blogs I’ve seen. Thanks so much for keeping the internet classy for a change.
shyness
Good to be here in your article or post, whatever, I think I should also work hard for my own website like I see some good and updated working in your site. best coffee grinder
Great work! This is the kind of info that are supposed to be shared around the internet. Shame on the seek engines for no longer positioning this put up higher! Come on over and consult with my web site Click here
Actually I read it yesterday but I had some thoughts about it and today I wanted to read it again because it is very well written.
Greg Aziz
Good to be here in your article or post, whatever, I think I should also work hard for my own website like I see some good and updated working in your site. PPI Claims
Thanks for the tips, maybe I can use this ended my tufted marketing and I've been use untold anulus media in run a interaction and they someone existing a big amend on me.download software
This is really a great read for me. Thank you for publishing articles having a great insight stimulates me to check more often for new write about Tao of Badass Review.
Palm Sunday Prayers
On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate Jesus' triumphant arrival at Jerusalem. These verses both predict and describe the glorious events that took place!
Palm Sunday Quotes
The combination of sumptuous meaning, sumptuous sound, and Ms. Saldana in a role with appeal to both sexes vaulted Cataleya from rarity to the #479 name for American girls. write my essay
A name that starts out near zero can experience a huge percentage change.
is bubblegum casting legitimate
This could be the appropriate blog for everyone who hopes to be familiar with this topic. You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic thats been written about for several years. Great stuff, just excellent!
Funny Easter Jokes
This is really a great read for me. Great stuff, just great.
Easter Sunday Prayer
This could be the appropriate blog for everyone who hopes to be familiar with this topic. You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic thats been written about for several years. Great stuff, just excellent!
Happy Earth Day
At Eagan High School in Minnesota, they bring in a panel of other teachers beyond their 4 person Link team to review the applications. "Having other teachers
<a href="http://lovoldozosjatekok.net/">See more</a>
At Eagan High School in Minnesota, they bring in a panel of other teachers beyond their 4 person Link team to review the applications. "Having other teachers
See more
This is really fantastic. Thanks to your vision and perseverance many, many good things have been put into motion. Thanks for doing this. Funny Mothers Day Sayings
I agree with your blog and i will be back to check it more in the future so please keep up
your work. Happy Mothers Day.
Happy Mothers Day Poems
Mother's Day is a day for many people to show their appreciation towards mothers and
mother figures worldwide.Famous quotes and quotations on Mother's Day by noted
authors, writers, poets, celebrities and famous moms. Like and Share our Mother's Day quote.
Happy Mothers Day Quotes
Name is the true represtantion of a person. it also effects the personlaity of the person. Like if we are looking to buy an appliances amazon sounds good. Same happens to the name.
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring mother's and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.Like and Share our Mothers Day
Quotes.Happy Mother's Day .
Mother's Day 2014
This was a great article that really was really helpful to me and I really can’t wait to learn more from your valuable experience. This was really very interesting to me. how to start potty training
Thanks for sharing this great article with us.
Mothers Day Quote
<a href="http://www.mothersdaygreetings2014.com/">mothers day greetings 2014</a><a href="http://www.mothersdaygreetings2014.com/">mothers day quotes</a><a href="http://www.happymothersday-poems.com/">mothers day poems 2014</a> <a href="http://www.happymothersday-poems.com/">Funny mothers day poems 2014</a> <a href="http://www.happymothersday-poems.com/">mothers day poems from daughters</a> <a href="http://www.happymothersday-poems.com/">Short mothers day poems 2014</a> <a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Mothers day Pictures, Images, Wallpapers, Pics, Photos, Quotes 2014</a> <a href="http://www.mothersdaygreetings2014.com/">mothers day greetings 2014</a> <a href="http://www.happymothersday-poems.com/">mothers day poems 2014</a> <a href="http://www.happymothersday-poems.com/">Funny mothers day poems 2014</a> <a href="http://www.happymothersday-poems.com/">mothers day poems from daughter </a> <a href="http://www.happymothersday-poems.com/">Short mothers day poems </a> <a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Mothers day Pictures</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Happy Mothers day Pictures</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Happy Mothers day Pics</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Mothers pics Pics</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Mothers day Images</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Funny Mothers day Images</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Mothers day wallpapers</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Happy Mothers day Images</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Mothers day Images for facebook</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Happy Mothers day photos</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Happy Mothers day pictures </a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Mothers day pictures</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Happy Mothers day pictures 2014</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Funny Mothers day pictures 2014</a> <a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Happy Mothers day 2014</a><a href="http://www.mothersday-pictures.com">Happy Mothers day 2014</a>
Mothers Day Quotes
Mothers Day greetings 2014
Happy Mothers Day 2014
Mothers Day poems from Daughters
Mothers Day poems
Happy Mothers Day Poems
shory Mothers Day Poems
Funny Mothers Day Poems
Short Mothers Day poems from Daughters
Funny Mothers Day poems from Daughters
Mothers Day Poems 2014
Mothers Day Pictures
Mothers Day Images
Mothers Day Pics Happy Mothers Day Pictures
Funny Mothers Day Pictures
Mothers Day Wallpapers
Mothers Day Photos
Mothers Day quotes 2014
Mothers Day Quotes Mothers Day greetings 2014 Happy Mothers Day 2014 Mothers Day poems from Daughters Mothers Day poems Happy Mothers Day Poems shory Mothers Day Poems Funny Mothers Day Poems Short Mothers Day poems from Daughters Funny Mothers Day poems from Daughters Mothers Day Poems 2014 Mothers Day Pictures Mothers Day Images Mothers Day Pics Happy Mothers Day Pictures Funny Mothers Day Pictures Mothers Day wallpapers Mothers Day Photos Mothers Day quotes 2014
Mothers Day Quotes Mothers Day greetings 2014 Happy Mothers Day 2014 Mothers Day poems from Daughters Mothers Day poems Happy Mothers Day Poems shory Mothers Day Poems Funny Mothers Day Poems Short Mothers Day poems from Daughters Funny Mothers Day poems from Daughters Mothers Day Poems 2014 Mothers Day Pictures Mothers Day Images Mothers Day Pics Happy Mothers Day Pictures Funny Mothers Day Pictures Mothers Day wallpapers Mothers Day Photos Mothers Day quotes 2014
Mothers Day Quotes Mothers Day greetings 2014 Happy Mothers Day 2014 Mothers Day poems from Daughters Mothers Day poems Happy Mothers Day Poems shory Mothers Day Poems Funny Mothers Day Poems Short Mothers Day poems from Daughters Funny Mothers Day poems from Daughters Mothers Day Poems 2014 Mothers Day Pictures Mothers Day Images Mothers Day Pics Happy Mothers Day Pictures Funny Mothers Day Pictures Mothers Day wallpapers Mothers Day Photos Mothers Day quotes 2014
Mothers Day Quotes Mothers Day greetings 2014 Happy Mothers Day 2014 Mothers Day poems from Daughters Mothers Day poems Happy Mothers Day Poems shory Mothers Day Poems Funny Mothers Day Poems Short Mothers Day poems from Daughters Funny Mothers Day poems from Daughters Mothers Day Poems 2014 Mothers Day Pictures Mothers Day Images Mothers Day Pics Happy Mothers Day Pictures Funny Mothers Day Pictures Mothers Day wallpapers Mothers Day Photos Mothers Day quotes 2014
This is very useful post for me. This will absolutely going to help me in my project.Thanks for sharing this with us.
Mothers Day Poems For Kids
Is celebrity naming really a marker of the 21st Century? Were parents of the pre-Brangelina era less susceptible to the allure of fame? jual power bank vivan jakarta
Good knowledge you share. i must say ou are too good . Thanks .
PC Game Download
This was a very interesting and fun website. I have really learned so much from this awesome website. This is really great. Thanks
percent off discount deals
This may be one of the best sites i have ever visited,the articles here are very educative and informative.
Happy Memorial Day Quotes
12.00
Normal
0
21
false
false
false
SV
X-NONE
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Normal tabell";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
I think the explanation to why the name Shirley got more popular than Miley is that Shirley was cute and adorable in the eyes of parents, Miley Cyrus wasn't, at maximum she was mostly liked by teenagers.
Thanks for the amazing content on your blog I am very interested in this article and you have really helped me. I have just told a few of my friends about this on FaceBook and they love your content just as much as I do.
Fathers Day Poems From Daughter To Dad