Distinctive Names and Trends - Cool and Unique Baby Names

 by: Suzanne Doyle-Ingram

I found it very interesting researching the top 100 baby names for this article, because although my husband and I thought we were going for unique baby names during my pregancy, both our daughters' names are on the list! I guess we are not as innovative as we thought we were.

Every year, the US Social Security Administration compiles a list of the most popular baby names. You can search their online database for the popularity of a certain name, and you can also see how the popularity of a name has changed over time. (http://www.ssa.gov/) It's a very interesting way to waste an hour instead of working (lol).

It is fun to note that the letter "E" is quite popular. Common "E" names in the top 10 of the top 100 baby names are: Emily, Emma, Ethan and Elizabeth. It seems that slightly old-fashioned, or traditional, names are making a comeback as well, with names like William, Joseph, and Christopher for boys, and Elizabeth, Abigail, Hannah and Grace for girls.

However, "new age" or modern names are also in the 100 top baby names with babies' names such as: Tyler, Brandon, Logan, Austin, Hunter and Cody (for boys) and Briana, Kayla, Chloe, Hailey, Jasmine, Destiny and Makayla (for girls).

Jacob and Emily are the number one most popular names for a few years in a row.   (continued...)

100 Top Baby Names
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