A Boy Named Sue
The Social Security Administration, having nothing better to do with their time and money, has become the nation’s foremost registry of baby names. In 1998, the SSA published a study on the distribution of given names in the US. Since then, they have updated their data regularly, so you can now search for the most popular names over the past 12 years, or how a given name has risen or fallen in popularity over that period. You can also view tables of the top ten given names going back to 1880.
And they accuse the government of wasting taxpayers’ money!
This is a valuable service to parents-to-be. Say you’re expecting a boy and you’ve just fallen in love with the name Ethan. Your inspiration could be Hawke or Allen. A quick search of the registry reveals that while Ethan has been in the top 100 for the past 10 years, in 2002 it zipped up to #5. Perhaps you want to reconsider your choice.
Or perhaps you’re expecting a baby girl. You like the name Sam, but Samantha seems so common. It’s easy to discover how right you are, thanks to the SSA! Though its popularity has dropped somewhat in recent years, Samantha remains in the top ten, where it has nestled since 1988. You discover the variation Samara, and find that name didn’t crack the top 1000 until 1999, and remains safely in the 900 range. Score! As an additional helpful tip, the database offers up Amara, Mara and Sam as variations you might want to consider.
A look at the most popular given names from 1960 to 1997, sorted by sex, reveals some insight into our nature.
Among the boys, Michael, David, John, James and Robert were the five most popular names from 1960 to 1971. They shuffled about in position to some degree, but remained surprisingly consistent. Mark, William and Richard filled out the bottom five, with a rotation of a handful of other names. In fact, throughout the entire period of 1960 to 1997, the list varies far less than you would expect. From 1964 to 1998, Michael is the most popular given name. This prompts a friend who has that name to remark that “Every Tom, Dick and Harry is named Michael.”
Christopher first breaks into the top ten in 1967, and quickly moves up the ladder. By 1972, Christopher has become the second most popular name for baby boys. In fact, from 1972 to 1993, except for a brief spell in the late 70s, Michael and Christopher are at the top of the list. This reflects the popularity of porn star Michael Christopher during that period, but I doubt one has anything to do with the other.
Christopher was supplanted from 1976 to 1980 by Jason, who took over the #2 spot for those years. In fact, Jason could be found in the top ten from 1971 until 1983, after which he dropped from the list. By 1984, Jason was replaced by Joshua, who first appeared in the top ten on 1979, and in 1995 Joshua is joined by Jacob. Thus are the ancient Greeks replaced by the ancient Israelites. In 1994, Zachary appears in the top ten for the first and last time, spurred on no doubt by the success of Home Improvement. He is replaced for a few years by the unassuming Tyler, who also quickly fades. Joshua and Jacob remain in the top ten, and in 1999 Jacob takes the top spot, where he remains to this day. In fact, the list continues to remain fairly constant, with Jacob, Michael, Matthew, Joshua and Christopher ruling the top five spots from 1995 to present.
The list of girls’ names, on the other hand, is far more erratic. Perhaps parents feel free to be more creative when naming their girls, perhaps mothers have more input into their daughters’ names, or perhaps there is less of a drive with girls than boys to give them a traditional family name. In any case, unlike the male list, which demonstrates an 11 year period of the five most popular names, among the girls, Mary, Susan, Maria, Karen and Lisa head the list only from 1960 to 1964. Up to this point, Mary was by far the most popular girl’s name, holding the number 1 spot from 1880 until1961, except for a brief period from 1947 to 1952 when it ceded that position to Linda. Since Mary and Maria are essentially the same name, it holds two spots in the top five. In 1965, Kimberly moves into the top ten, replacing Susan, and the following year Michelle boots Karen from #3 to #8.
From here, all bets are off as Jennifer, Angela and Amy swiftly muscle their way into the top ten. By 1973, the order is Jennifer, Michelle, Amy, Lisa and Kimberly, with Lisa the sole survivor from 1960. By 1972, the venerable Mary is completely gone from the top ten. Maria lasts a few more years, but is gone by 77.
Anyone familiar with girls’ names knows what happens next. It’s a virtual free-for-all, as Heather joins the top ten in 1972, prompting the film of that name 17 years later. Melissa and Stephanie move into the top ten the following year, joined in 1976 by Jessica and 1977 by Sarah and Amanda. That Sarah Jessica Parker was born in 1965 shows how ahead of the curve her parents were. That Sarah and Joshua join the list at roughly the same time says something, but I’m not sure what. In 1980, Nicole, who had put in a brief appearance in 1972, returns for good, followed two years later by the oh-so-retro Elizabeth. Also in 1982, Crystal briefly breaks into the top ten, due I would imagine to the popularity of Dynasty. The next year, Ashley comes from nowhere to land the #3 spot, and she remains at #3 or higher until 1997, capturing the top spot in 1991. 1986 sees the addition of Brittany, while the late 80s ushers in Samantha, Lauren and Megan. Recent years have introduced Taylor, Madison, Hannah and Alexis.
The amazing thing about the girls’ names is not simply that the list is so volatile, but that names literally appear out of nowhere and rise to the top. Granted, a name could easily lurk for years in the top 100 and not be revealed by this database. But unlike the boys’ list, which shows the steady progression of a mutual fund, the girls’ list appears to be the result of wildcatting. Names are added and discarded as capriciously as last year’s fashion. Does Pregnant Mother magazine present a regular update on the hot new trends in names? Is there an underground of would-be Ashleys and Madisons leading the charge for the new names? Is there some sort of Jungian group mind at work, linking all gestating women in a web of Hannah worship? I may never know.
In any case, I urge you to discover the database for yourself . It will answer such mysteries as, "Why are all my friends named Kevin?" (It’s in the top 30!) The design is simple but the results are addictive. For example, Zachary remains popular throughout the 90s, in 16th place, with nearly 10,000 names out of just under a million (a 5% sampling of Social Security card applications with dates of birth from January 1990 through August 1999). But Zachery comes in at 206, with 668 names, Zackary is 256th, with 512, Zackery comes next at 362, with 308 names, and Zakary is at 736th place, with 92 names. And that’s not counting the 366 Zachariahs. There are 2000 male Dakotas and 360 female Dakotas, with and additional 69 male Dakotahs for good measure. The 548 female Guadalupes are balanced by 125 male Guadalupes, and both Peyton and Payton are given to boys and girls. It’s like being a boy named Sue. Speaking of which, Josue is the 244th most popular name for boys. Fans of The Producers will be happy to know there are 262 Rodolphos in the sampling, and yes, Matrix fans, there are 74 Keanus.
The more you know, the more you want to know.
And they accuse the government of wasting taxpayers’ money!
This is a valuable service to parents-to-be. Say you’re expecting a boy and you’ve just fallen in love with the name Ethan. Your inspiration could be Hawke or Allen. A quick search of the registry reveals that while Ethan has been in the top 100 for the past 10 years, in 2002 it zipped up to #5. Perhaps you want to reconsider your choice.
Or perhaps you’re expecting a baby girl. You like the name Sam, but Samantha seems so common. It’s easy to discover how right you are, thanks to the SSA! Though its popularity has dropped somewhat in recent years, Samantha remains in the top ten, where it has nestled since 1988. You discover the variation Samara, and find that name didn’t crack the top 1000 until 1999, and remains safely in the 900 range. Score! As an additional helpful tip, the database offers up Amara, Mara and Sam as variations you might want to consider.
A look at the most popular given names from 1960 to 1997, sorted by sex, reveals some insight into our nature.
Among the boys, Michael, David, John, James and Robert were the five most popular names from 1960 to 1971. They shuffled about in position to some degree, but remained surprisingly consistent. Mark, William and Richard filled out the bottom five, with a rotation of a handful of other names. In fact, throughout the entire period of 1960 to 1997, the list varies far less than you would expect. From 1964 to 1998, Michael is the most popular given name. This prompts a friend who has that name to remark that “Every Tom, Dick and Harry is named Michael.”
Christopher first breaks into the top ten in 1967, and quickly moves up the ladder. By 1972, Christopher has become the second most popular name for baby boys. In fact, from 1972 to 1993, except for a brief spell in the late 70s, Michael and Christopher are at the top of the list. This reflects the popularity of porn star Michael Christopher during that period, but I doubt one has anything to do with the other.
Christopher was supplanted from 1976 to 1980 by Jason, who took over the #2 spot for those years. In fact, Jason could be found in the top ten from 1971 until 1983, after which he dropped from the list. By 1984, Jason was replaced by Joshua, who first appeared in the top ten on 1979, and in 1995 Joshua is joined by Jacob. Thus are the ancient Greeks replaced by the ancient Israelites. In 1994, Zachary appears in the top ten for the first and last time, spurred on no doubt by the success of Home Improvement. He is replaced for a few years by the unassuming Tyler, who also quickly fades. Joshua and Jacob remain in the top ten, and in 1999 Jacob takes the top spot, where he remains to this day. In fact, the list continues to remain fairly constant, with Jacob, Michael, Matthew, Joshua and Christopher ruling the top five spots from 1995 to present.
The list of girls’ names, on the other hand, is far more erratic. Perhaps parents feel free to be more creative when naming their girls, perhaps mothers have more input into their daughters’ names, or perhaps there is less of a drive with girls than boys to give them a traditional family name. In any case, unlike the male list, which demonstrates an 11 year period of the five most popular names, among the girls, Mary, Susan, Maria, Karen and Lisa head the list only from 1960 to 1964. Up to this point, Mary was by far the most popular girl’s name, holding the number 1 spot from 1880 until1961, except for a brief period from 1947 to 1952 when it ceded that position to Linda. Since Mary and Maria are essentially the same name, it holds two spots in the top five. In 1965, Kimberly moves into the top ten, replacing Susan, and the following year Michelle boots Karen from #3 to #8.
From here, all bets are off as Jennifer, Angela and Amy swiftly muscle their way into the top ten. By 1973, the order is Jennifer, Michelle, Amy, Lisa and Kimberly, with Lisa the sole survivor from 1960. By 1972, the venerable Mary is completely gone from the top ten. Maria lasts a few more years, but is gone by 77.
Anyone familiar with girls’ names knows what happens next. It’s a virtual free-for-all, as Heather joins the top ten in 1972, prompting the film of that name 17 years later. Melissa and Stephanie move into the top ten the following year, joined in 1976 by Jessica and 1977 by Sarah and Amanda. That Sarah Jessica Parker was born in 1965 shows how ahead of the curve her parents were. That Sarah and Joshua join the list at roughly the same time says something, but I’m not sure what. In 1980, Nicole, who had put in a brief appearance in 1972, returns for good, followed two years later by the oh-so-retro Elizabeth. Also in 1982, Crystal briefly breaks into the top ten, due I would imagine to the popularity of Dynasty. The next year, Ashley comes from nowhere to land the #3 spot, and she remains at #3 or higher until 1997, capturing the top spot in 1991. 1986 sees the addition of Brittany, while the late 80s ushers in Samantha, Lauren and Megan. Recent years have introduced Taylor, Madison, Hannah and Alexis.
The amazing thing about the girls’ names is not simply that the list is so volatile, but that names literally appear out of nowhere and rise to the top. Granted, a name could easily lurk for years in the top 100 and not be revealed by this database. But unlike the boys’ list, which shows the steady progression of a mutual fund, the girls’ list appears to be the result of wildcatting. Names are added and discarded as capriciously as last year’s fashion. Does Pregnant Mother magazine present a regular update on the hot new trends in names? Is there an underground of would-be Ashleys and Madisons leading the charge for the new names? Is there some sort of Jungian group mind at work, linking all gestating women in a web of Hannah worship? I may never know.
In any case, I urge you to discover the database for yourself . It will answer such mysteries as, "Why are all my friends named Kevin?" (It’s in the top 30!) The design is simple but the results are addictive. For example, Zachary remains popular throughout the 90s, in 16th place, with nearly 10,000 names out of just under a million (a 5% sampling of Social Security card applications with dates of birth from January 1990 through August 1999). But Zachery comes in at 206, with 668 names, Zackary is 256th, with 512, Zackery comes next at 362, with 308 names, and Zakary is at 736th place, with 92 names. And that’s not counting the 366 Zachariahs. There are 2000 male Dakotas and 360 female Dakotas, with and additional 69 male Dakotahs for good measure. The 548 female Guadalupes are balanced by 125 male Guadalupes, and both Peyton and Payton are given to boys and girls. It’s like being a boy named Sue. Speaking of which, Josue is the 244th most popular name for boys. Fans of The Producers will be happy to know there are 262 Rodolphos in the sampling, and yes, Matrix fans, there are 74 Keanus.
The more you know, the more you want to know.
posted by John Bliss at
8:47 AM
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