By Judy Benge
55-Plus
May 12, 2008 08:16 pm
—
The tradition of announcing the most popular baby names was announced on May 10, a Mother’s Day tradition.
The federal government’s top official for baby names, Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of Social Security, today announced the most popular baby names for 2007. The top 10 most popular boys and girls names for 2007 are:
1) Jacob
2) Michael
3) Ethan
4) Joshua
5) Daniel
6) Christopher
7) Anthony
8) William
9) Matthew
10) Andrew
1) Emily
2) Isabella
3) Emma
4) Ava
5) Madison
6) Sophia
7) Olivia
8) Abigail
9) Hannah
10) Elizabeth
Emily has topped the list since 1996. And, Jacob has been first since 1999. After a two year absence, Elizabeth is back in the top 10 list.
In addition to a list of the 1,000 most popular boys’‚ and girls’‚ names for 2007, Social Security has a list of the top 100 names for twins born in 2007. Jacob and Joshua are a repeat as the most popular twin’s names.
Social Security began compiling the baby name lists in 1997 and the list goes back to 1880. It is surprising to note the extent that American parents are naming their daughters after spiritual and philosophical concepts. Social Security reports one of the most popular names for girls already at number 31 is Nevaeh, which is “Heaven” spelled backwards. The variant Neveah came in this year at number 891 and Heaven is number 263. Also, Destiny (No. 41); Trinity (No. 72); Serenity (No. 126); Harmony (No. 315); Miracle (No. 461); Charity (No. 673); Journey (No. 692); Destini (No. 914); and Essence (No. 930).
Parents did not show a propensity for naming their sons in this manner: however, the boys‚ list does include Sincere (No. 622) and Messiah (No. 723).
Social Security reports that the 2007 success of popular race car driver Danica Patrick undoubtedly inspired her first name moving from number 352 to number 307. Also, the name of the first pick in the 2007 NFL draft, Oakland Raiders‚ quarterback JaMarcus Russell, rose from number 914 to number 743.
Celebrities have an impact on the popularity of babies’’ names: Shiloh, the youngest daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, debuted on the list at number 804. Their oldest child’s name, Maddox, has seen steady gains since appearing on the list in 2003 at number 583, now ranking at number 226. Suri, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ daughter’s name, did not make the list.
Britney Spears’ second son is named Jayden, which is ranked at number 18. Miley (Cyrus), the popular singer, is new to the girls‚ list this year and enters at the high number of 278. Finally, the name Elvis, after the great entertainer, has risen 85 places from 761 to 676.
My name, Judith, was extremely popular when I was a child with five of us in my homeroom. In this 2007 list it ranks 653.
My husband’s name, George, is more popular, ranking at 147.
Send your questions to judybenge@bellsouth.net.
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