Friday, June 07, 2013

The top Girls' Names of 2012 is up!

Top Girls' names of 2012 is up! The names are arranged by spelling (i.e., Kaitlyn, Caitlin, Katelyn etc. are all listed together) Boys' names hopefully soon. This has been taking for-freaking-ever because people are getting REALLY kreativ with spellings these days.

Usually names that enter the top 7000 come in with 5 or 6 babies with the name. This year a few entered with a vengeance... here they are (number given in parentheses)

Zendaya (122) - possibly inspired by the teen singer Zendaya
Aaradhya (57) - this name was given to the baby daughter of Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Kimbella (57) - the star of the reality show "Love and Hip Hop," Kimbella has 2 kids with rapper Juelz Santana.
Hareem (54) - this is an Arabic name. I'm not sure why the sudden popularity!
Daleyza (50) - mostly popular among Spanish speakers. Not sure of the origin; the only one I found said it was a form of the Hebrew name Dalia.
Nazli (48) - means "delicately beautiful" in Arabic
Setareh (34) - means "fate" or "star" in Persian.
Shalimar (34) - means "house of love" in Persian
Lada (24) - not sure the significance of this one!
Siren (23) - maybe their parents live next to a fire house? Maybe they like mythological beasts a lot?
Arfa (22) - not sure the significance of this one!
Chisom (22) - not sure the significance of this one!
Daenerys (21) - from the Song of Fire and Ice books and Game of Thrones HBO series.

Names that fell out of the top 7000:

Aashini
Aashirya
Abel
Abhigna
Abiella
Abinaya
Abisha
Abrianne
Abyan
Abyssinia
Accalia
Ace
Acie
Adisa
Adlai
Adoree
Adrialys
Advita
Adwoa
Aeon
Agam
Agrima
Aile
Ailise
Aimani
Aimsley
Aini
Airanna
Airel
Ajournee
Akai
Akiva
Akriti
Alaire
Alathea
Alayana
Alazne
Aldina
Aleidy
Alek
Aleli
Alelia
Alencia
Aleshanee
Aleshka
Alexana
Alexandrina
Alixa
Alyasia
Alyeska
Alyria
Alyssamae
Alzahra
Amania
Amaranta
Amariyae
Amaryn
Amba
Ambellina
Ambriana
Ameliagrace
Amenia
Amere
Amiel
Amijah
Amillion
Amishi
Amunique
Anabeatriz
Anabelen
Anacamila
Anacecilia
Anahla
Anandi
Andalasia
Andree
Andrielle
Anezka
Angelamarie
Angelette
Anjanae
Anmol
Annajo
Annakatherine
Annamary
Annecy
Ansha
Anta
Antalya
Antara
Antiana
Anyree
Apolline
Apurva
Aquetzalli
Aradia
Aram
Arbrianna
Archita
Aremi
Aretha
Ariajade
Ariatna
Ariba
Arienette
Arienna
Arij
Arlana
Arletta
Armeen
Armelle
Arooj
Artemisia
Arusha
Asana
Ash
Asharia
Ashita
Ashmeet
Ashriya
Asmahan
Astara
Astaria
Astou
Astra
Astri
Asuka
Atreya
Atzi
Auryn
Avaelizabeth
Avalia
Avasophia
Averil
Aviance
Avienne
Avita
Aviv
Avona
Avrora
Ayanda
Ayira
Azana
Azareth
Azel
Azelia
Azirah
Bahar
Bahati
Bahja
Baileyann
Bar
Bassheva
Bawi
Beckham
Belkis
Bellamae
Benicia
Berea
Beren
Berra
Berry
Besiana
Bhavani
Bhumika
Bilen
Bindi
Bissan
Bitania
Bitia
Blessings
Bracie
Brandice
Branwen
Breale
Breeza
Breina
Bren
Brianca
Bright
Brindley
British
Brooksley
Bryleah
Bunny
Burke
Cabrina
Caledonia
Cam
Camberly
Capriana
Carlaysia
Carlissa
Carmindy
Cassiel
Cella
Celsey
Ceylin
Chai
Chantilly
Chara
Charielle
Charnae
Charny
Chasya
Chaviva
Che
Cheila
Chigozirim
Chihiro
Chika
Chinelo
Chrishauna
Chrishelle
Cinda
Cipriana
Citlalic
Claudiajoy
Coleman
Concepcion
Consuela
Copeland
Coramae
Coretta
Coriah
Corinthian
Cortasia
Courage
Covey
Crisel
Cybelle
Cynne
Dabney
Daegan
Dakaria
Daleth
Dallyn
Damali
Damyria
Danara
Danari
Danayla
Danique
Danyale
Darissa
Darwin
Dash
Dashanti
Dashay
Dayanari
Dayrin
Dean
Deaven
Deedee
Delenn
Delianys
Delisa
Delsy
Demetriana
Demilade
Denisa
Dennesly
Deoni
Deshaya
Deshayla
Devaki
Dhani
Dhatri
Dhwani
Dilek
Dinara
Disaya
Diviana
Divija
Donnie
Dontasia
Dontavia
Draizy
Dreamer
Drisana
Drishya
Dulcie
Duriyah
Dynasia
Dyuthi
Ea
Edina
Eisa
Ekamjot
Ekin
Ekram
Elaf
Electa
Eleri
Elibeth
Elideth
Ellamaria
Eloina
Emilyrose
Emiri
Emmasophia
Emmasue
Enalina
Enas
Enyla
Eriah
Erum
Esosa
Esta
Estera
Euphemia
Evelynrose
Evening
Evian
Evienne
Ewa
Ewelina
Ezinne
Ezzah
Fahmida
Faithmarie
Fariza
Farris
Farzana
Fate
Fatiha
Faven
Faviana
Feliciana
Femi
Ferris
Fidelia
Filza
Fina
Finesse
Florina
Franklin
Franny
Fruma
Future
Galiana
Gana
Garima
Garnet
Gayane
Gazelle
Geisha
Genendy
Genesia
Geneve
Gensis
Ghaida
Giamarie
Gianelly
Giannamarie
Gidget
Ginamarie
Ginna
Giordana
Gohar
Graceanna
Graceland
Gregoria
Hadara
Hadas
Hadden
Hadija
Haileyann
Halcyon
Hallelujah
Halsey
Hamida
Hamnah
Hamsika
Hanae
Hanako
Hannabelle
Harjap
Harkirat
Harneet
Harris
Harseerat
Harumi
Hasya
Hau
Hawi
Heiry
Heisy
Helia
Heloise
Hema
Hemi
Henriette
Heran
Hermila
Heron
Heyab
Hifza
Hiilani
Hikma
Hilaria
Hilde
Himari
Hindel
Hitomi
Hiya
Hokulani
Hollyann
Holy
Honest
Hoor
Hrithika
Humna
Huong
Hutton
Ianthe
Iasia
Ibtisam
Idman
Ifunanya
Ija
Ijeoma
Iksha
Ilenna
Ilham
Ilitia
Ilma
Imagine
Indrani
Iran
Iratze
Irem
Irisa
Irsa
Isabeli
Isarely
Isbella
Ishrat
Isia
Isioma
Islam
Isma
Ismene
Itati
Itxel
Itzany
Ivania
Ivaya
Ivyunna
Ixayana
Iyanuoluwa
Iyari
Jacora
Jacoria
Jahanna
Jahdai
Jahira
Jahiya
Jakel
Jakyria
Jakzenny
Jalay
Jalessa
Jalexa
Jalexis
Jamariona
Jamaris
Jamella
Jamesa
Jamille
Jamilya
Jamina
Jammie
Janaki
Janari
Janayla
Jancy
Janeal
Janique
Janitza
Janki
Janora
Japneet
Jarissa
Jasha
Jashanti
Jashley
Jashyra
Jaskirat
Jasminemarie
Jasminerose
Javon
Jaziel
Jeanmarie
Jehan
Jency
Jericho
Jerriona
Jerusalen
Jesmarie
Jess
Jestina
Jetaime
Jocelynmarie
Joelliane
Joetta
Johnalyn
Johnasia
Jojo
Jolana
Jolicia
Jomary
Jomayra
Jonessa
Jora
Jorryn
Josenid
Josetta
Joshitha
Josmary
Joycie
Joyelle
Juleen
Juleidy
Juliannamarie
Jun
Junae
Jyasia
Kadelyn
Kadia
Kalana
Kalayna
Kaliska
Kalkidan
Kamyria
Kaomi
Karelis
Karista
Kashari
Kashayla
Kassiana
Kasumi
Kata
Kateleen
Katiria
Katora
Katriana
Katrice
Kauri
Kawaii
Kayann
Kaydree
Kaylamarie
Kayleemarie
Kayliani
Kazi
Kazlynn
Kealia
Kealohilani
Keayla
Kebron
Kehaulani
Kemi
Kenai
Kendrick
Kenise
Keonia
Keosha
Kerala
Kerith
Kerly
Kerlyn
Kevia
Kevina
Kevionna
Kevonna
Keza
Khadidiatou
Khawla
Khushpreet
Kialani
Kimaria
Kinjal
Kinlyn
Kiomara
Kirsi
Kisara
Kitara
Kiyan
Knox
Kota
Krina
Kripa
Kristella
Krupa
Kubra
Kunga
Kura
Kyliemarie
Kyrene
Lahari
Lailamarie
Lajada
Lajaya
Lakevia
Lakyla
Lalaina
Lamarianna
Lamis
Lanaria
Landis
Lanier
Lanique
Lanyla
Laquisha
Laraib
Larsa
Lataija
Latina
Laveda
Laylarose
Leamsi
Leelee
Leelynn
Leemarie
Legna
Lella
Lenka
Leonia
Leota
Lexandra
Liadan
Libya
Lien
Ligaya
Lilamae
Lilani
Liliuokalani
Linnie
Lisha
Liyu
Loida
Lokelani
Loki
Lolani
Lollie
Loriah
Louie
Loxley
Lucine
Ludwika
Lul
Lulani
Luzclarita
Lyka
Lylarose
Macari
Mackie
Madhavi
Maelena
Magavi
Maguire
Mahia
Mahlon
Mahreen
Mahveen
Maithili
Maitri
Makani
Makayda
Makenya
Makhari
Malaka
Malek
Malkia
Malu
Manasi
Mang
Manija
Manjot
Manvitha
Mao
Marajade
Maral
Marcelia
Mariaceleste
Maricel
Marierose
Marison
Marixa
Marjan
Markasia
Markeria
Marlette
Marquisha
Martasia
Martavia
Marvelous
Maryhelen
Maryuri
Marziya
Mashiya
Masina
Maudie
Mavery
Mavi
Maxima
Mayarose
Maylana
Maylia
Mayreli
Mayrim
Mays
Mazari
Mehana
Melida
Melora
Meraly
Meridian
Merjem
Meyra
Mi
Miabelle
Miavictoria
Mijoi
Miku
Milen
Mileni
Millian
Minda
Minelly
Miriana
Mirka
Mitali
Mitchell
Mixtli
Miyako
Miyoko
Modesta
Moe
Mohini
Mollyanne
Moniyah
Montasia
Morena
Motunrayo
Mulani
Munachi
Mursal
Myani
Mythili
Mythri
Nacy
Nadege
Nahide
Nai
Naily
Nainika
Najla
Najmo
Nakenzie
Nakota
Nalana
Nalina
Namrata
Naoki
Naphtali
Narely
Nargis
Nariman
Narmeen
Nashaly
Nasreen
Nastasha
Natale
Nature
Navika
Nayari
Nayzeth
Naz
Neariah
Nebula
Nechy
Nedra
Neelam
Nehal
Neidy
Neima
Nejla
Neta
Nevaehmarie
Neylan
Ngoc
Nielle
Nieve
Nilda
Nilsa
Nilynn
Nimo
Nimsi
Ninfa
Nira
Nirmeen
Nisma
Nitza
Nivedita
Njeri
Nnenna
Noelis
Nohea
Noorhan
Normandy
Novalynn
Nowshin
Nuhamin
Numa
Nuray
Nurto
Nyakume
Nyleve
Nyx
Obianuju
Ogechukwu
Ojasvi
Olamide
Oliviamarie
Oliyah
Oluwaseun
Oluwaseyi
Oluwatofunmi
Oluwatoyin
Oluwatumininu
Omarah
Omera
Omni
Omolola
Omotola
Oneida
Orissa
Osa
Ostara
Oumie
Oyindamola
Pace
Pahal
Paigelynn
Palmira
Pantera
Parvati
Parvina
Pasha
Patrycja
Pearlie
Percilla
Persaya
Pessel
Petrina
Phuong
Plum
Poet
Poleth
Prabhnoor
Pragnya
Pranaya
Pranita
Prapti
Preciosa
Preet
Prestley
Prisma
Prosperity
Qadira
Qamar
Raaga
Rabab
Rachna
Radwa
Rahima
Rahna
Ramisa
Ranijah
Rashmi
Ravleen
Rawa
Reika
Relena
Rell
Renasia
Renisha
Reveca
Reyes
Reynolds
Ricci
Righteous
Rija
Rim
Rimas
Rimi
Rin
Robert
Rodina
Rohana
Romaisa
Romana
Ronasia
Ronisha
Rosalita
Rouguiatou
Rua
Ruchika
Ruka
Rune
Rus
Rutva
Rwan
Ryken
Ryleah
Sada
Saesha
Sagal
Saima
Salara
Salote
Samanthamarie
Samaris
Samatha
Sameen
Samir
Sandria
Sanijah
Sanira
Sanora
Sanura
Sarisha
Satsuki
Saudia
Savon
Saxon
Saynab
Sebastiana
Sedra
Seham
Sehar
Sehrish
Seija
Selenia
Semra
Shadaria
Shadiamond
Shadow
Shahrazad
Shaira
Shakila
Shalae
Shalina
Shalon
Shamani
Shamila
Shams
Shanda
Shanika
Shanta
Shantia
Shareen
Sharifa
Sharita
Shatara
Shatavia
Shaterria
Shaza
Shazaria
Shehzeen
Sheindy
Shepherd
Sherline
Shibani
Shima
Shir
Shirleyann
Shubhi
Shyaira
Shyasia
Si
Sifan
Sigourney
Sihara
Silia
Silka
Simarpreet
Simoni
Simrin
Sinem
Soheila
Sohna
Solage
Solangie
Somara
Somi
Somtochukwu
Sophialynn
Sophiamae
Soteria
Sovanna
Sragvi
Sreeja
Sri
Srilaasya
Srisha
Stavroula
Su
Suellen
Sufia
Sulay
Suleika
Sully
Sumalee
Sumayo
Sumiko
Sumire
Suni
Suniya
Swathi
Swecha
Sweden
Syaire
Symira
Syndal
Syuri
Tahari
Taji
Tajsa
Takari
Takoda
Talar
Talijah
Tallis
Tamanna
Tangela
Tani
Tanis
Tanith
Tanley
Tanzi
Tapanga
Tarae
Taraja
Tasanee
Tasfia
Tashawna
Tashay
Tavery
Tavionna
Tawana
Taybree
Tayen
Taylani
Taylorgrace
Tazanna
Tazaria
Temidayo
Tequila
Tere
Terina
Tesslyn
Thai
Thailyn
Thamara
Thanh
Thara
Theda
Thi
Thomasina
Thy
Tiari
Tiferet
Tiger
Tikvah
Tilden
Tiranke
Toccara
Tola
Toluwani
Tomorrow
Torian
Tram
Trang
Trany
Travionna
Trevi
Treya
Trillian
Trillium
Tristany
Tsering
Tsubaki
Turquoise
Tynasia
Tynisha
Tyree
Tyshay
Tyson
Tzivy
Ugochi
Umi
Umu
Uriana
Urwa
Uyen
Vanae
Vandana
Vanelly
Vasanti
Vaya
Velda
Venna
Vernice
Vesna
Victoire
Vielka
Viona
Virgina
Virsaviya
Virtue
Vishva
Vitalina
Wakana
Wakely
Walaa
Warda
Wells
Wilmarie
Winner
Wisteria
Xanthe
Xanthia
Yachet
Yaima
Yaire
Yaliyah
Yamiley
Yamira
Yanara
Yaneiry
Yanique
Yanisley
Yarden
Yarleth
Yasmim
Yassin
Yatzel
Yehudit
Yeni
Yensid
Yifan
Yilin
Ylenia
Yolani
Yoli
Yolotzin
Yukina
Yuli
Yuma
Yumalay
Yuria
Yurika
Yuriko
Yusayrah
Yuvika
Yuxuan
Zafina
Zaharia
Zakaira
Zala
Zani
Zanijah
Zanyria
Zarin
Zatanna
Zaybree
Zaylia
Zealyn
Zeba
Zeel
Zeldy
Zelle
Zeltzin
Zema
Zenith
Zharick
Ziham
Zinachidi
Zoella
Zophie
Zorina
Zuha
Zula
Zy

Names that entered the top 7000 for the first time (or fell out and returned):

Aaliyahrose
Aaradhya
Aaratrika
Aarini
Aarnavi
Aaronae
Abbott
Abbylynn
Abernathy
Abiel
Abijah
Abiola
Abishai
Abrienne
Absidy
Adalida
Adamina
Adaobi
Adar
Addis
Adelind
Adianez
Adila
Adja
Adjoa
Admire
Adn
Adraya
Adrianny
Adryn
Afaf
Afina
Afsa
Afsana
Afua
Ajana
Akiana
Akiko
Akshadha
Alanoud
Alarice
Alarie
Albee
Aldana
Alegna
Alenia
Alesi
Alexamarie
Almas
Almudena
Aluel
Aluna
Amabel
Amadi
Amai
Amaka
Amarachukwu
Amarae
Amaziah
Amberrose
Ambra
Ambreen
Ameliarose
Amelina
Ameyalli
Amil
Aminat
Amitiel
Amryn
Anabrenda
Anadalay
Anaika
Anamaris
Anamika
Anaum
Anaveah
Anayansi
Anbria
Ancika
Anemone
Aneres
Aneri
Anhar
Anik
Anjalika
Anjanette
Annagail
Anokhi
Anola
Anoop
Anuja
Anujin
Anupama
Anureet
Anuska
Anwar
Anylia
Aoibheann
Aparna
Aponi
Apsara
Arabia
Arahi
Arai
Aravis
Arawyn
Arbella
Arelia
Aretzy
Arfa
Ariamarie
Arisbel
Arlenne
Arlenys
Armari
Armina
Arminda
Arpita
Arrietty
Arta
Artasia
Artina
Aryahi
Asalia
Asenath
Aseret
Ashalina
Ashara
Ashima
Ashmita
Ashni
Ashwaq
Asli
Asmita
Asoni
Assetou
Astasia
Asyria
Athens
Atlas
Aurore
Ausha
Avacyn
Avakate
Avamaria
Avarielle
Avayla
Aveen
Avelia
Avella
Avis
Avishi
Avishka
Avrilynn
Ayak
Ayami
Ayerim
Ayomikun
Ayoola
Ayten
Azadeh
Azmariah
Azori
Azriah
Azula
Azumi
Baisley
Bambi
Bashy
Bassy
Beata
Beesan
Belany
Belem
Belisa
Bellaluna
Bellarae
Bena
Bennie
Beryl
Besma
Beulah
Bg
Bhavika
Bhuvi
Binti
Blakesley
Bozena
Branasia
Breck
Breece
Brendy
Breunna
Bridie
Britzel
Brookelle
Calandra
Calirose
Callalily
Calliemae
Camlyn
Camoya
Candida
Candler
Carden
Cassara
Cecia
Cedrianna
Cemre
Cerise
Ceyda
Chancie
Charlena
Charlin
Chatham
Chau
Chedva
Chenxi
Chesley
Cheza
Chiaki
Chinaza
Chinemerem
Chinmayi
Chinyere
Chisom
Chloelynn
Chrisly
Chrisma
Chyles
Ciela
Cindel
Cire
Claramae
Clarita
Clemence
Cliona
Cloris
Copelyn
Copper
Corabella
Coralia
Corielle
Corniya
Corrigan
Crawford
Crisbel
Crosley
Cymphonique
Daenerys
Dafna
Daire
Dakyla
Daleyza
Dalinda
Dalton
Daneisy
Danelia
Danelis
Danira
Dannapaola
Darlena
Darleth
Dashari
Dashley
Davasia
Dawna
Dayeli
Dazzlyn
Dechen
Dee
Deekshitha
Deepshika
Dehlia
Delancey
Delara
Deliana
Delimar
Delinda
Delma
Delora
Denielle
Destina
Dharshini
Diamon
Diamonique
Dieynaba
Diksha
Dionisia
Diti
Dixielynn
Djuna
Dmiracle
Dona
Drishti
Dristi
Driyah
Durga
Dylana
Eabha
Ebby
Edriana
Eduarda
Eelyn
Eilonwy
Eire
Elanur
Eldina
Elenamarie
Elim
Elinam
Elisabella
Elisavet
Elisheba
Elizabelle
Elizbeth
Elmina
Elvie
Elysium
Emarosa
Emera
Emerly
Emilce
Emilyelizabeth
Emmabelle
Emmalani
Emmalou
Emrys
Eneida
Enijah
Enora
Eponine
Erene
Eri
Erisa
Erna
Eshana
Eshika
Esmerie
Esra
Essa
Ethne
Eulalie
Evalani
Evangela
Evarose
Evaya
Evdokia
Evera
Evgenia
Ewaoluwa
Exie
Eyram
Ezmariah
Fabiha
Fahima
Faina
Fairy
Falak
Faline
Fardowsa
Faryal
Fatin
Faustine
Feben
Fedora
Felice
Fendi
Fenet
Fenna
Ferrari
Fiamma
Fiore
Fiori
Fisher
Flower
Fortune
Foster
Fotima
Fotini
Francely
Franziska
Frederica
Free
Frimy
Gabrelle
Galit
Gardner
Gargi
Gaurika
Gela
Gelena
Genelia
Genoa
Gertie
Ghada
Giannina
Giara
Gilda
Gili
Gita
Glorimar
Glorious
Gloryann
Goodness
Gracemarie
Gurbani
Gurman
Gwenda
Gwenevieve
Ha
Hade
Hadlyn
Haifa
Haileymarie
Hajer
Hamda
Hananiah
Hannabella
Hannalee
Happy
Haram
Hareem
Hargun
Harika
Harita
Harjas
Harman
Harpreet
Harsimran
Hasika
Hassanatou
Hatice
Havisha
Haziel
Healy
Heart
Heliana
Hemani
Henri
Hessa
Hetty
Heyam
Hibo
Himani
Hiyam
Hooriya
Hopelynn
Houston
Hser
Huma
Hyacinth
Idara
Idil
Ignacia
Ikea
Ikhlas
Ilenia
Ima
Imar
Imri
Inanna
Inchara
Inika
Innocence
Irasema
Ireoluwa
Isai
Isamarie
Ishi
Islarose
Ismahan
Ismary
Itzae
Itzayani
Itzuri
Ivani
Ivylynn
Ivyrose
Izaria
Izma
Izora
Jabri
Jabrielle
Jadesola
Jadora
Jaella
Jahanara
Jahari
Jahla
Jairy
Jakenya
Jakenzie
Jakori
Jakylee
Jaleny
Jaliana
Jalinda
Jalyric
Jamielee
Janavia
Japji
Jardyn
Jaslena
Jasmeet
Jassidy
Jatori
Jatoria
Javeria
Javia
Javiera
Jaza
Jazanae
Jazlee
Jeevika
Jemily
Jeremy
Jesalee
Jeslene
Jessianna
Jianne
Jiaxin
Jing
Jiwoo
Joeliz
Joellen
Jonier
Jordanmarie
Jordayn
Jordis
Jordyan
Jorelys
Josabet
Josely
Jovienne
Jovina
Jovita
Joyful
Joyous
Julicia
Juliella
Jyelle
Jyena
Kadian
Kahealani
Kahri
Kaige
Kaileemarie
Kaimarie
Kaina
Kainat
Kalexy
Kama
Kamar
Kamisha
Kanishka
Karessa
Karlita
Karmoni
Kasani
Kately
Katiemae
Katniss
Kaveri
Kavi
Kawehi
Kayal
Kaydra
Kayella
Kazandra
Kazumi
Kehara
Keilianys
Kenalee
Kendrix
Kendry
Kerani
Kerensa
Kersey
Kesar
Keshawna
Kessie
Kesslyn
Kexin
Keymari
Kiala
Kiaraliz
Kiersyn
Kika
Kiko
Kikyo
Kimbella
Kimbra
Kinda
Kinsler
Kiralee
Kiralyn
Kismet
Koey
Krishika
Kriya
Kruthi
Kulia
Kumari
Kuulei
Kyelle
Kyleena
Kylese
Kyndi
Kyomi
Labelle
Lada
Lah
Laisa
Lakai
Lakita
Lale
Lamoni
Lamyla
Lanijah
Lanikai
Laparis
Lasha
Lashya
Latricia
Laundyn
Laurana
Lavae
Lavani
Laveen
Lavelle
Leahgrace
Leialoha
Leilene
Leiliany
Leire
Lema
Lenalee
Leone
Lesieli
Letzy
Levani
Levia
Levian
Lexiann
Liddy
Lilan
Lilana
Lilikoi
Lilit
Lilo
Lilykate
Lingxi
Lissy
Lital
Litia
Lively
Lizabelle
Lizelle
Lizmar
Lojain
Londonrose
Lorette
Louisiana
Loukya
Lourd
Loyal
Lucienna
Lucrezia
Lucyrose
Luma
Lun
Lunabelle
Lunette
Lura
Luzmarie
Lyrics
Lyris
Maat
Mabyn
Macayle
Macon
Maelys
Maeryn
Maeta
Magic
Mahana
Mahelet
Mahiyah
Maisley
Majestic
Makari
Maki
Malay
Malisha
Mane
Manessa
Manning
Marchelle
Marciella
Maresa
Mariadelaluz
Mariadelcarmen
Marialena
Mariangely
Mariateresa
Maricielo
Marietou
Marigny
Marilla
Marisha
Maritere
Marlana
Marlaya
Marleth
Marlianna
Marlys
Maryfrances
Maryjean
Marylouise
Marymargaret
Massey
Mathai
Maximus
Maxwell
Mayeda
Mayer
Mayerlin
Mayes
Maylena
Maylet
Mayukha
Mayuri
Mckinney
Mel
Melike
Melondy
Menaal
Menna
Meral
Merida
Meritxell
Merliah
Merola
Merve
Meyer
Mianicole
Michella
Michiko
Miela
Migdalia
Mikeria
Mindel
Minhchau
Miniya
Minji
Minsa
Mirza
Misgana
Mishayla
Mishti
Miski
Mithra
Miwa
Mizani
Mlak
Monse
Monyae
Morrison
Morrissey
Moselle
Mosley
Moukthika
Mulki
Munha
Murray
Mushtaq
Music
Myjoy
Myrianna
Nadra
Nagham
Nahal
Nahyla
Naida
Nalaysia
Nanako
Narae
Nashira
Natale
Nataliz
Natayla
Natia
Natsuki
Naturi
Navroop
Nazeli
Nazli
Necha
Neeraja
Neeti
Nefeli
Nefertari
Neira
Neisha
Nekoda
Neleh
Nera
Nermeen
Nesly
Nesta
Netta
Nevaen
Ngan
Ngun
Nguyen
Nhu
Nhyira
Niarose
Nieves
Nihira
Nike
Nikte
Nimrit
Nimue
Nini
Nirvi
Nishat
Nishtha
Nithila
Noble
Nolawit
Nolie
Noomi
Noralyn
Novelle
Novi
Nuam
Nusrat
Nymeria
Nyriah
Odaly
Ofa
Olani
Oliviaann
Olivine
Oluchi
Oluwajomiloju
Oluwalonimi
Oluwasemilore
Oluwateniola
Oluwatobi
Olvia
Omani
Omarianna
Omayra
Omnia
Omunique
Onora
Oriane
Orlandria
Orpha
Oyuki
Padma
Pahola
Paislyn
Pal
Pallavi
Paolina
Parizoda
Parthenia
Pavani
Pavni
Payal
Pazong
Pearson
Pella
Perpetua
Peshy
Petal
Pfeiffer
Pink
Pippin
Poorvi
Porsche
Pragna
Pranika
Prarthana
Prayer
Prentiss
Prerna
Primrose
Pristine
Pritika
Priyal
Priyana
Psalm
Qirat
Quantavia
Quyen
Racelyn
Radiya
Radley
Rafa
Rahela
Rahini
Raiza
Rakel
Ramira
Ramsha
Randilynn
Rashay
Rashida
Rashmika
Rateel
Ratzy
Raveena
Raziel
Real
Reason
Reata
Rechy
Reda
Rediet
Ree
Reef
Reemas
Reeselyn
Regine
Rehmat
Rella
Renlee
Rhetta
Riata
Riella
Rihan
Riko
Rilla
Rilya
Rimsha
Riot
Riti
Ritisha
Ritu
Riven
Riviera
Rodaina
Rodas
Rodina
Rogan
Rohan
Roiza
Rollins
Romelia
Rosaisela
Rosamund
Rosary
Rosellen
Rosene
Roxette
Rozay
Rudy
Ruhani
Rutvi
Rye
Saanchi
Saber
Sachiko
Sadhika
Sadielynn
Sadika
Sadora
Sae
Safi
Saga
Saham
Sahari
Sahej
Sajidah
Sakira
Sakurako
Samanthanicole
Samija
Samoni
Samrawit
Samridhi
Samsam
Sanaria
Sanavi
Sanovia
Saralee
Sarang
Sarem
Sargun
Sarianna
Satcha
Savita
Sawda
Say
Sayaka
Scarlettrose
Seba
Secora
Sejla
Selam
Seleny
Selima
Sendy
Setareh
Seton
Sevda
Sevinch
Seychelle
Sha
Shady
Shahina
Shahnaz
Shaiel
Shakota
Shakyla
Shalimar
Sham
Shama
Shambhavi
Shanelly
Shanessa
Sharimar
Sharina
Sharini
Shasmeen
Shatia
Shaundrea
Shavy
Shawnee
Shayra
Shefali
Sheva
Shiara
Shiffy
Shikha
Shiori
Shiraz
Shivangi
Shivanshi
Shreena
Shritha
Sidonie
Sifa
Silva
Sirat
Siren
Sisira
Sistine
Siwar
Siyuri
Skyann
Smera
Soe
Sohana
Sojourner
Solaya
Solstice
Sonata
Song
Soni
Sonita
Sophiaann
Sophiaisabelle
Sophiemarie
Sophronia
Sorella
Srija
Sristi
Sritha
Starlee
Starri
Steele
Stellar
Stellarose
Stone
Stratton
Sucely
Sukaina
Sulaf
Suliana
Sumana
Summerrose
Summit
Surbhi
Suvali
Svana
Sylena
Tahjae
Taiba
Taiyari
Takaria
Talita
Tam
Tamaki
Tamani
Tamora
Taneka
Tansy
Tapasya
Tashvi
Tatelyn
Taurasi
Tavaria
Tavleen
Taye
Taylorrose
Tayma
Taymar
Tayyibah
Tazmeen
Teala
Tejal
Tejasvi
Temilola
Terrace
Terrica
Terrielle
Teslyn
Tesneem
Teva
Texas
Thaissa
Thanvi
Theona
Theory
Theron
Thessaly
Thira
Thistle
Thuraya
Tienna
Timera
Tisa
Tisya
Tiziana
Tlalli
Tobin
Tochi
Toi
Torilynn
Traeh
Trinh
Trinidad
Trisa
Trishna
Tristina
Tristine
Tully
Tybee
Tykia
Tyriah
Tzurty
Uchechi
Ugonna
Uilani
Ula
Uli
Uri
Uswa
Uzuri
Vail
Vainavi
Vaishali
Valena
Valor
Valora
Vanida
Vanille
Vasilia
Vegas
Velanie
Venba
Venita
Venya
Veralynn
Vesa
Via
Vidushi
Vivienna
Vladislava
Vritika
Walela
Wallis
Wareesha
Warner
Wateen
Westyn
Wiam
Wrynn
Xavi
Xaviana
Xiani
Xinyu
Xiomy
Xion
Yadieliz
Yagmur
Yaheli
Yaitza
Yalena
Yali
Yamani
Yamari
Yamel
Yanairis
Yandy
Yanetzy
Yang
Yanileth
Yanin
Yanixa
Yardena
Yared
Yaretza
Yariely
Yarisa
Yarisley
Yarlin
Yasha
Yasna
Yeily
Yeisy
Yeleini
Yendi
Yenty
Yichen
Yihan
Yoali
Yoeli
Yoko
Yolet
Yolimar
Yomaira
Yordanos
Yorlet
Youstina
Yoyo
Ysa
Yuan
Yuhan
Yui
Yuika
Yukiko
Yuleni
Yuni
Yura
Yuuki
Yuval
Yuxin
Zacara
Zadaya
Zahari
Zai
Zakai
Zali
Zamoria
Zamyria
Zanayla
Zander
Zaneta
Zani
Zarahi
Zareth
Zarian
Zayani
Zayleen
Zeinabou
Zendaya
Zenya
Zera
Zerenity
Zeruiah
Zi
Ziel
Zikora
Zimal
Zimora
Zineb
Zixuan
Ziza
Zoa
Zohar
Zubaida
Zyleah
Zyrie

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Game of Thrones (and other movie/tv) Names for 2012


The television show Game of Thrones based on George R. R. Martin's A Song of Fire and Ice series is in its third season, and more popular than ever! This was reflected in last year's names, especially for girls. Here are some from 2012 from the Social Security Administration's database:

Daenerys showed up for the first time, with 21 babies.

Nymeria, the name of one of the character's pet wolves, entered the top list with 5 namesakes.

Arya catapulted the name Aria (still the more popular spelling) into the top 100. in 2011 there were 386 baby Aryas; last year the number increased 51% to 754. Overall, all the spellings of Aria jumped 64%.

The biggest mover is the name Khaleesi. This isn't actually a character's name in the series, but a title held perennial favorite character Daenerys. in 2011, there were 34 girls named Khaleesi (and one other spelling variant, Kaleesi). In 2012, that number jumped to 205 (adding 5 more variant spellings)

Talisa increased from 13 babies in 2011 to 20 in 2012. This name wasn't used in the book series; just in the television show.

Asha increased slightly from 197 to 211. However, Asha is a name used frequently in the Indian community, as it means "wish; hope" in Sanskrit.

Shae (81 up from 77) -- Shae, in various spellings (Shea being the most popular, also Shay, Shaye etc.) as been around for a while.

in 2011, there were 32 girls named Lyanna, and it was the 9th most popular spelling of the name Liana (out of 27). In 2012, there were 46, and was the 7th out of 26 most popular spellings in 2012. In all spellings, the name is declining in popularity, but this spelling is increasing. Not bad for a character who died before the series began and is only mentioned a few times!

Renley is a male character. There were 10 boys named Renly last year, but there were 5 girls (none in the previous years for either sex)! The more popular spelling of this name for girls is Renlee, which leads me to believe that for girls, it's popularity probably comes from elsewhere.

There were 5 girls and 9 boys named Tully in 2012, (0 girls and 10 boys in 2011).

Catelyn hasn't shown a significant increase; probably because, even though the character pronounces is /KAT uh lin/ and is called Cat, it still looks like /KATE lin/, which has been declining in popularity since the 1990s.

There still aren't any Cerseis or Sansas, but those aren't favorite characters.

For boys, the names are less distinctive (i.e, they've already been in use for decades). The favorite character of people I know is Jon, whose name did increase from 340 in 2011 to 385 in 2012. The name Ned had 15 namesakes in 2011, which dropped to 12 in 2012. Jaime went from 730 babies in 2011 to 760.

Tyrion had 38 namesakes in 2012 (up from 25 in 2011)

Theon entered the charts with 12 boys given the name.

There were 10 boys named Renly.

Mance showed up 5 times and Rayder showed up 8 times.

10 boys were named Bran (up from 7 in 2011).

9 boys in 2011 were named Stark, and 16 in 2012. This could be influenced by Iron Man, though.

In other movie news, Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games books, which were turned into movies spawned two names: Katniss (12 in 2012, none in previous years) and Primrose (16 in 2012, the highest number ever. The previous record was set by 10 baby Primroses in 1910; the last time it made the chart was in 1982). 32 girls were named Rue, up from 13 in 2011. For boys, Finnick entered the database for the first time with 9 namesakes.

Merida, the protagonist in the Disney/Pixar film Brave had 19 namesakes in 2012. That is another record; the last time we saw that name was in 2002. The most times it was ever used in one year was 1949, when there were 13.

Eponine, a character from Les Miserables, which won an Academy Award last year spawned her first namesakes ever to make the SSA database: there were 7 born last year. Meanwhile, Cosette, a name that has been around the charts since 1912, had 114 namesakes last year (up from 97 the previous year).

Not a movie (although they made it into one in the 1980s), but the name Eilonwy, from Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain series made the SSA database for the first time in 2012. There were 5 girls named that. 

...and the biggest movie winner! Drumroll please!

Cataleya. In the movie Columbiana, this character is played by Zoe Saldana. In 2011, it showed up in the naming pool for the first time with 46 namesakes in 3 different spellings. In 2012, there were 1358 Cataleyas (with 28 different spellings!) 

I haven't finished doing all the calculations, but I'm pretty sure this is the largest increasing name of the year!

I didn't see the movie; I'm fairly certain this name was made up for the character, though. It is probably based on Cattleya, the genus of orchids (named for botanist William Cattley).

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Preliminary Top 100 Girls' Names in USA: 2012

I've been working on grouping names by spellings. Here's what I have... I will probably go over the list with a fine-tooth comb again, but the top 100 shouldn't change too much. I'll post the full results when I've checked it over again. The most popular spelling is listed only, but "Sophia" includes "Sofia, Sofiya etc." Boys' names in a week or so when I'm done!

1. Sophia (-)
2. Isabella (-)
3. Emma (+1)
4. Olivia (-1)
5. Emily (+1)
6. Ava (+7)
7. Chloe (-2)
8. Zoey (+3)
9. Abigail (-1)
10. Madison (-1)
11. Aubrey (+6)
12. Mia (-)
13. Kaylee (-3)
14. Madelyn (-1)
15. Aaliyah (+4)
16. Lily (-)
17. Layla (+3)
18. Hailey (-3)
19. Riley (-1)
20. Arianna (+2)
21. Addison (-7)
22. Natalie (-1)
23. Elizabeth (-)
24. Avery (+10)
25. Brooklyn (-1)
26. Amelia (+12)
27. Ella (-1)
28. Allison (-)
29. Lillian (+4)
30. Mackenzie (-1)
31. Kaitlyn (-6)
32. Kylie (-1)
32. Peyton (-2)
34. Hannah (+11)
35. Makayla (-8)
36. Evelyn (+6)
37. Leah (-2)
38. Elena (+10)
39. Maya (-3)
40. Brianna (-8)
41. Charlotte (+14)
42. Alyssa (-5)
43. Sarah (-3)
44. Katherine (-3)
45. Grace (-1)
46. Harper (+31)
47. Anna (+2)
48. Gabriella (-9)
49. Victoria (+2)
50. Samantha (-3)
51. Camila (+2)
52. Jocelyn (-9)
53. Adalyn (+12)
54. Jasmine (-8)
55. Liliana (+1)
56. Nevaeh (-6)
57. Savannah (-3)
58. Isabelle (-)
59. Bailey (+7)
60. Alexis (-8)
60. Audrey (+2)
62. Juliana (+5)
63. Claire (-)
64. Lyla (-4)
65. Aria (+52)
66. Ashley (-9)
67. Kaelyn (-8)
68. Scarlett (+7)
69. London (-)
70. Taylor (-6)
71. Kayla (-10)
72. Reagan (+15)
73. Kennedy (-1)
74. Annabelle (+7)
75. Sophie (-7)
76. Genesis (+22)
77. Amaya (-1)
78. Serenity (+13)
79. Jordyn (-8)
80. Melanie (+4)
81. Lauren (-7)
82. Gianna (-9)
83. Eliana (+13)
84. Alexa (-6)
85. Bella (+3)
86. Nora (+36)
87. Sydney (-17)
88. Skylar (+51)
89. Callie (+6)
90. Kendall (-)
91. Julia (-9)
92. Mila (+46)
93. Naomi (+12)
94. Lucy (+5)
95. Maci (-15)
96. Stella (+11)
97. Carly (-11)
98. Kaydence (-5)
99. Adriana (-14)
100. Ellie (+19)

Awesome name!


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Kennedy = Kinnedy?

When I was a student, I studied abroad in Ireland with a bunch of students from across the USA. One gentleman, was from Tennessee. We were sitting in class, and he leaned over and asked me for a "pin." So, I took the safety pin out of my ear (ok, this was the early 1990s) and gave it to him, apologizing that it was the only one I had. Everyone laughed at me. What he had wanted was a "pen." However, in my northeastern dialect, "pin" and "pen" are distinctly different, as are "Don" and "Dawn" and "cot" and "caught."

So here's my dilemma... Every year I take the long list of names the Social Security Administration publishes and group them by spelling. Everyone can agree that Trisha and Tricia are the same name, as are Hailey and Hayley. I have long accepted that, though John and Jon are technically different names (John being a name on its own and Jon being a short form of Jonathan originally), I group them together because they sound the same. Alyssa and Alisa don't necessarily sound the same, but I group them together because of a continuum of names like Alysa, Allysa, Allissa etc. that could be pronounced like /ah LISS a/ or /ah LEE sa/. Like it or not, this is how I justify things. I'm sure if I took 10 different people and had them do this, they'd come up with 10 different things. Heck, I change things from year to year. Miah, Miya, Miyah-- are these Mia or Maya? Lately I've been grouping them with Mia, just because Mia is more popular, though they totally LOOK like Maya to me.

Which brings me to the pin/pen dialect thing. Here are the offending names:

Kennedy/Kynnedi
McKenna/McKinna
Kenzie/Kinsey
Mackenzie/McKinsey
Kensley/Kinsley
Kendall/Kindall
McKinley/McKenley

I've lumped Serinity/Seryniti with Serenity, just because there's no such thing as "serinity."

I've been putting Kennedy and Kynnedi together for the same reason; there's no other name Kynnedi.

Mackenzie and McKinsey are a little more problematic, though. Kinsey is a separate surname. Though Kinsey is a surname of English origin, the name McKinsey appears in the USA (though it's not listed in my Irish or Scottish surname dictionaries; it's probably a variant of Mackenzie/McKenzie.).

It would be convenient if all the "i" spelling names were more popular in states where the predominant dialect does not distinguish between "pen/pin." Here's a chart nicked from Wikipedia:


Sometimes this works. For example, Kynnedi is most popular in Texas, and also shows up in Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee. However, there were also a significant number of Kynnedis born in Michigan and a few in Ohio. Kinsey/McKinsey are all over the map.

What would YOU do?

Thursday, May 02, 2013

New Zealand Banned Names

New Zealand has compiled a list of 77 of the names that have been rejected by the government. According to the linked article, "acceptable names must not cause offense to a reasonable person, not be unreasonably long and should not resemble an official title and rank." The USA has no such restrictions in place; the only regulations to my knowledge are that names must be made of letters (for example, you can name a kid Seventeen, but not 17).

Here are 71 of New Zealand's banned names, along with the number of times they were rejected in the past: 12 years or so... in parentheses are the number of children given these names in the USA since 1880 (girls in pink, boys in blue)

1. Justice - 62 (11,711 - 13,788)
2. King - 31 (10 - 9,754)
3. Princess - 28 (11,772 - 0)
4. Prince - 27 (534 - 11,153)
5. Royal - 25 (426 - 11,304)
6. Duke - 10 (0 - 5,762)
7. Major - 9 (16 - 10,625)
8. Bishop - 9 (5 - 4,257)
9. Majesty - 7 (419- 92)
10. J - 6 (0 - 0)
11. Lucifer - 6 (0 - 46)
12. Use of brackets around middle names - 4 (punctuation marks and spaces don't show up on SS forms in the USA)
13. Knight - 4 (0- 151)
14. Lady - 3 (1755 - 0)
15. Use of back slash between names - 8 (punctuation marks and spaces don't show up on SS forms in the USA)
16. Judge - 3 (0 - 3,303)
17. Royale - 2 (210  - 185)
18. Messiah - 2 (600- 3,167)
19. T - 2 (0- 0)
20. I - 2 (0- 0)
21. Queen - 2 (13,634 - 0)
22. Sir - 2 (0- 1,080)
23. III - 2 (0- 0)
24. Jr - 2 (0 - 1,349)
25. E - 2 (0 - 0)
26. V - 2 (0 - 0)
27. Justus - 2 (559- 6376)
28. Master - 2 (0 - 288)
29. Constable - 1 (0 - 0) Not a title used in the USA, but there have been 77 boys named Sheriff!
30. Queen Victoria - 1 (none have shown up as one name, but it's possible that there are girls with the first name Queen and middle name Victoria)
31. Regal - 1 (0 - 25)
32. Emperor - 1 (0, but there have been 416 girls named Empress.
33. Christ - 1 (47, but these may be typos for Christa or something - 3545)
34. Juztice - 1 (0 but there have been 17 named Justess, 348 named Justis, 199 Justise, 123 Justiss, 1333 Justyce, and 16 named Justyse.  - 1289 named Justis, 44 named Justise, 18 Justiss, 10 Justiz, 380 Justyce and 5 named Justys.)
35. 3rd - 1 (numbers are not allowed in USA names)
36. CJ - 1 (126 - 953)
37. G - 1 (0 - 0)
38. Roman Numerals III - 1 (0 - 0)
39. General - 1 (0 - 3,888)
40. Saint - 1 (33 - 693)
41. Lord - 1 (0 - 445)
42. . (period) - 1 (you can only register names in the USA made of letters)
43. 89 - 1 (numbers are not allowed in USA names)
44. Eminence - 1 (0 - 0)
45. M - 1 (0 - 0)
46. VI - 1 (816 - 125), though this may represent Vi, a nickname for Violet/Viola.
47. Mafia No Fear - 1 (0 - 0)
48. 2nd - 1 (you can only register names in the USA made of letters)
49. Majesti - 1 (32 - 0)
50. Rogue - 1 (123 - 150)
51. 4real - 1 (you can only register names in the USA made of letters)
52. * (asterisk) - 1  (you can only register names in the USA made of letters)
53. 5th - 1 - (you can only register names in the USA made of letters)
54. SP - 1 (0 - 0)
55. C - 1 (0 - 0)
56. Sargent - 1 (0 - 109)
57. Honour - 1 (81 and 1599 named Honor - 10 + 220 named Honor)
58. D - 1 (0 - 0)
59. Minister - 1 (0 - 0) - (this isn't a title used in the USA but there have been 16 male Senators and 345 Governors!)
60. MJ - 1 (0 - 42)
61. Chief - 1 (0 - 44)
62. Mr - 1 (0 - 5)
63. V8 - 1 (you can only register names in the USA made of letters)
64. President - 1 (0 - 39)
65. MC - 1 (209 - 227)
66. Anal - 1 (0 - 0)
67. AJ - 1 (0
68. Baron - 1 (0 - 5,257)
69. L B - 1 (0 - 16)
70. H-Q - 1 (0 - 0)
71. Queen V - 1 (0 - 0)

Thursday, April 04, 2013

ii is the new i

Remember when people were cute, and started spelling names with an "i" on the end? You probably know a Kristi or a Kelli, a Brittni or an Ashli. The new(ish) trend is to spell these names with "ii" on the end. You know, like the plural of radius is radii, the plural of Brandius is Brandii? Or not. Anyway, here are some names spelled with -ii, and the first occurrence of them showing up in the SSA database.

Alanii    2010
Amanii    2001, Amonii    2009, Emanii    2008, Emonii    2010
Amarii    1998
Amii    1979
Armanii    1997, Armonii    2010
Ashantii    2002
Ashlii    1989
Aubrii    2009
Averii    2011
Brandii    1973
Brittanii    1992, Brittnii    1989, Bryttnii    1991
Calii    2011,
Kalii    2009
Charlii    2008
Cynii    2007 -- I think this may actually represent /syn EYE/-- "ii" is also used as a long "i" sometimes.
Demii    2010
Destinii    2007
Ebonii    1987
Harmonii    2005
Honestii    2010
Imanii    1997
Jamii    1983
Janaii    2007 -- This is probably Janay or Jan-eye
Janii    2006
Jermanii    2011
Journii    2009
Kalanii    2011
Kamarii    2007
Kaylanii    2011
Kaylii    2009
Kennedii    2011
Kylii    1996
Leilanii    2010
Lexii    2009
Lorii    1957, Pattii    1957, Nikkii    1969, Vickii    1948 -- since these are awfully early for -ii names, and they didn't show up much, they may be typos.
Macii    2011
Makenzii    2010, Mckenzii    2010
Marlii    2010
Mylii    2008
Naomii    2009, Nyomii    2011
Natalii    2007
Pariis    2010-- not an -ii ending, but still.
Rylii    2010
Shanii    2011
Skii    2004 - This is probably Skye and not Ski!
Sydnii    2001
Tomii    1980
Tonii    1996
Torii    1970
Zoeii    2011, Zoii    2007

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Honesty

Virtue names are nothing new. The Puritans were into all sorts of names like Prudence, Charity, Hope, Deliverance, Obedience, Fear. Some of them we still use today! Though the name Honesty was used by the Puritans, it didn't show up in any record numbers in the USA until 1975. Unlike Faith and Hope, Honesty has never enjoyed much popularity... until recent years. Since the 1990s the name has steadily been growing in popularity. However, not content with simply honesty, people seem to like U-neeq spellings of it. Here are the top spellings so far:


Honesty 2155
Honesti 275
Onesty 86
Honestee 66
Onesti 49
Ahnesti 37
Honestie 34
Ahnesty 32
Ahonesty 21
Honestii 13
Ahonesti 12
Ahnisty 6
Anesti 5
Anesty 5
































Monday, March 25, 2013

Bad Spelling Hall of Fame

From 1929, the most awful spelling of Eloise ever: Ellawease. There were 5 girls named Ellawease in the USA that year, and none before or since.

 From 1988-2011, there have been 489 girls named Analyse. I'm pretty sure this is an alternate spelling of Anneliese/Annalise, but it is still kind of funny.

Between 1988 and 1991, 24 girls were named Apiffany. I guess it's a combo of Ephiphany and Tiffany?


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Dog Names

Want to make sure your dog sounds chic? Don't name it Shadow!

Here are the Trendiest dog names of the year

and the Least Trendy Dog Names of the year.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Name Mysteries...

in 1996, 6 boys in the USA were named Kevinkhang. That was the only year that name registered. Any ideas?

Thursday, January 03, 2013

The British Isles in American Naming




No place is represented more in American naming trends than the British Isles. Sure, you get girls named India, Kenya, China and Holland and boys named Rome, but The British Isles are consistently the most represented.

Since 1969, 21 boys and 158 girls have been named British. 
268 girls have been named English, starting in 1961. 
190 boys have been named English from 1899-1993. 
99 boys and 1333 girls have been named Irishstarting in 1924.
Nobody seems to have ever been named Scottish or Welsh (at least fewer than 5 per year, which is the lowest number the Social Security Administration records).
Those seem to be the only nationalities represented aside from German, of which there have been 8324 boys named since the 1880s. German, though, is usually a Spanish name; a form of Germanus (English form is usually Germane). 
Of the countries themselves, between 1916 and 2010, 178 boys were named Ireland. The first female Ireland wasn't born until 1993, but since then there have been 3729 of them. It also gave rise to the forms Irelyn, Irelynd, Irelynn, Irelynne and Irlanda. By far the most popular Ireland-related name is Erin (a poetic name for Ireland). The name is used from 1880 (when the SSA started keeping track) all the way to 2011. In that 131 years, there have been 306,332 girls named Erin. 1983 was the peak year for that name's popularity.

Starting in the 1970s, there have been 427 girls named Britain.  There have been 529 boys named Britain since 1969, and a lot more named Briton, Brittan, Britten, Brittain, Britan, Brittin, Britton etc. Starting in the late 1980s, following in the footsteps of the popular name Brittany, there have been 10 girls named Britannia (Latin for Britain) and 15 Britannicas (like the Encyclopedia!)

Since 1976 there have been 83 girls named England.  As for boys, 1983 was the only year any were named England, and then only 5 of them. 639 girls have been named Anglia (a Latin name for England) since 1949, but this is probably a typo for Angelia 


Since 2000, 86 girls have been named Scotland. Scotland also gave rise to girls named Scotlyn, Scotlynn and Scottlyn. The first boy Scotland was recorded in 1976, and there have been 152 since then. Scotia, a Latin name for Scotland showed up 4 years for girls: 1974, 1992, 1994, and 2006. There have been 24 Scotias in all. Caledonia is a Roman name for Scotland, which is a little more popular for girls: there were 5 born in 1900, then none until the 2000s where there have been 47 so far.

Between 1914 and 1968, 48 boys were named Wales. There have been no girls named Wales, but since 1963, there have been 3423 girls named Cambria, which is a Latin name for Wales. 

As for cities, London is by far the most popular, with 17,274 girls named after England's capital since 1963. 6134 boys have been named London, starting in 1886. Both have many recorded alternate spellings including Londen, Londyn, Lunden, Londin, Londynn etc.


Other British cities represented are:



Aberdeen (girls = 45 since 1913, Boys = 0)
Brighton (girls = 695, boys= 1381 both first appeared in the 1980s. The girls' names have the variant Brightyn appearing in the 2000s).
Bristol (girls= 2162 since 1976, boys = 389 since 1915. The girls' names also have the variants Bristal, Brystal, Brystol and Bristyl. The recent popularity is almost certainly due to presidential candidate Sarah Palin's daughter, and now reality tv star Bristol Palin.)
Brixton (first appeared for girls in 2009-- there have been 24 since then. For boys, first appearance is 2001, and there have been 249 in all.)
Cambridge (girls: 17 since 1992, boys: 21 since 2001)
Derby (girls: 5 in 1955 only. boys: 29 since 1991)
Dublin (girls: 33 since 2006 + 5 Dublyns, boys: 150 since 2003)
Sheffield (boys: 65 from 1914-1968, girls: 0)



There are other places like Bradford, Preston, Boston, Dudley, York, Chelsea, Jersey etc. represented in names, but these are more likely either popular because of surnames or places in the USA named for the places in Britain.


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Moments in Naming History

in 1954, 6 girls in the USA were named Philistine. Now, this isn't too crazy if you just think of the sound-- Phyllis was a pretty popular name then, as was names ending in -tine/-ine (Ernestine, Charlene, etc.). Still, that was the only year anyone was ever named that (or rather, greater than 4 people were named that as the Social Security Administration only gives out info for names given to 5 or more babies in a given year).

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

1972

In honor of my 40th (yikes!) birthday coming up, I arranged the top names of 1972 by spelling. Here they are for girls (boys list coming soon I hope):

Top Girls' Names of 1972

There were a lot of interesting names in 1972-- it boasted the only year the name Marijuana showed up (there were 5). People tell me this is a perfectly normal name in Spanish, and that it has nothing to do with drugs in that language... so why hasn't it shown up more?

On a similar note, there were 9 Sativas born in 1972. The name, the species name for Cannibus sativa first showed up in 1970, skipped 1971, then returned in 1972. It had a few shaky years in the 1980s, but Sativa has been in the top 7000 since 1991 consistently. The Latin word sativa means "cultivated variety" and is the species name of many plants, including Avena sativa (oats), Oryza sativa (rice), Medicago sativa (alfalfa) etc. However, it's the cannibus plant that it is most associated with! (and the couple I've met have been reported to have been named for).

Other names in 1972 (parenthetical numbers are how many babies were given those names):

Angles (7) -- probably a typo/misspelling of Angeles, but still kind of funny
Aquanette (5)-- like the hairspray. First and only time it showed up since the 50s (and then it was only in 2 years)
Attica (6) -- the only year this name showed up. Probably named for the Attica prison riots of the previous year.
Candle (5)-- why not? 1982 was the only other year this name showed up.
Cantina (17)-- sounds pretty, kind of like Candace + Tina... however, it's also the name for a bar, dining hall, or saloon!
Carry (24)-- not the best alt spelling of Carrie!
Celestial (5)-- this heavenly adjective only showed up 2 years-- 1970 and 1972.
Cortina (47)-- means "curtain" in Spanish. Probably these are named for the Ford Cortina, though!
Jeffifer (11) -- combo of Jeff and Jennifer? Typo? Not sure!
Little (5)-- this name has actually been on record since the early 1900s. It disappeared after the 1970s.
March (6)-- April, May, and June are popular names, but March?
Media (6) -- maybe a form of Medea?
Patches (9)-- maybe their parents really wanted a cat.
Patina (10)-- it sounds pretty, doesn't it? Kind of like Patricia + Katrina. However, it's also the word for a tarnish that forms on certain metals (sometimes put there on purpose).
Pleshette (25) -- probably single handedly the result of the actress Suzanne Pleshette (1937-2008)
Racine (5)-- means 'root' in French. Also the 5th largest city in Wisconsin!
Retina (5)-- As a name, it's probably pronounced /reh TEE na/-- kind of like Regina + Tina. However, it's also part of your eyeball.
Rotunda (9)-- means "round." It's an architectural term for a round room.
Schnell (5) -- means "fast" in German. As a girls' name? Maybe an alternate spelling of Chanel? 1972 was the first year it showed up.
Sossity (5)-- from the Jethro Tull song, "Sossity, You're a Woman." This is the first year the name showed up. The only other year was 1976, when Jethro Tull's album Stand Up, with that song on it was re-released.
Tangerine (9)-- there were 5 girls that year named Apple, and 16 named Peaches. why not?
Tango (9)-- I'm sure this isn't the first dance for a kid to be named after.
Tangy (11)-- I think this was pronounced /tan-jee/ and may have been another spelling for Tanji/Tangie, but still! Strange adjective to be associated with!
Tine (7) -- the prong of a fork. I hope this is a foreign name I'm not familiar with!
Toy (10)-- ditto
Trellis (11)-- OK, Trellis has been showing up since the 1900s, but still. Not the most melodious of nouns.
Trivia (7)-- I have no idea about this one
Tundra (6) -- kind of pretty sounding, even though it means "frozen wasteland." One of the only 3 years this name showed up!
Vendetta (5)-- say it to yourself. It sounds pretty! However, as a name? Not so much.
Veranda (5)-- maybe they were born on a porch.
Virgen (12)-- Spanish name honoring the Virgin Mary, I know. Still, I'm glad that wasn't *my* name in high school!
Wintress (6)-- no idea about this one. 1972 and 1973 are the only years this name shows up.
Shell (6)-- Shelly and Michelle were popular at the time, why not? Kind of like Candle-- quick, name your kid the first thing you see!
Shannondoah (5)-- respelling of Shenandoah to include the popular name Shannon. Nifty, eh? 1972 and 1991 were the only years this name showed up!
Smith (5)-- ok, why not?
Stracy (5)-- parents couldn't decide between Tracy and Stacy? 1970 and 1972 are the only years this name shows up.
Sugar (5)-- this name is... sweet. Not the first or only year this name was used, but still. Unusual.
Taiwan (7)
Tequila (20)-- maybe this is what the parents conceived with.
Topeka (5)-- the capital of Kansas enjoyed use as a girls' name throughout the 1970s. It died away after that.
Trease (8)-- maybe an alt spelling of Therese?
Valency (11)-- this is the only year this name ever showed up.

Here are some more names that showed up only in 1972:
Tushara (5)
Tyhessia (5)
Uhuru (5)
Urhonda (5)
Aarona (5)
Amenia (5)-- didn't show up again until 2006!
Anaberta (5)
Antona (5)
Cartrina (5)
Cassonia (5)

more later!



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

2005

You may remember 2005-- it was the year of Hurricane Katrina. Condoleezza Rise became the first African American woman Secretary of State, and Benedict XVI became Pope. Terrorists bombed the underground in London. Bloc Party released their first full-length album Silent Alarm and Daft Punk released Human After All. Probably more things happened in music, but those topped my list of highlights! Nerds rejoiced in the release of the Serenity movie as well as the debut of the re-boot of the tv series Battlestar Galactica.

Why am I hyping 2005? Because I just did the top 7000 Name Lists of that year! Why 2005? I've done all the years in between now and then, but I can't find them. I think they're on a flash drive somewhere... so 2005 remains an island right now. I'll find the others and post them, but for now, enjoy:

The top 7000 USA baby names for 2005: BOYS

The top 7000 USA baby names for 2005: GIRLS

Monday, November 12, 2012

top Boys' names in England and Wales, 2011

Almost in time for 2013, here's the list of the

top 3200 names for boys in England and Wales for 2011!

In case you missed it, I also posted a Girls' List.

These are grouped by spelling, but not by double name. Double names (i.e., Lily-Rose, Billy-Ray etc.) seem to be fairly popular in the UK these days, and someday I want to group them all by first name. For example, someone named Lily-Mae is still named Lily, right? However, I didn't do that this time because, well, I can see it both ways. Maisie-Mae may be considered a totally different name from just plain Maisie (even though Maisie's middle name may or may not be Mae.)

I obviously think about this stuff way too much. Anyway, enjoy.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Names England Borrowed from the USA

I just finished ranking the girls' names in England and Wales by spelling for 2011.

The USA has borrowed many things from England-- most notably, a language. Among other things: the judicial system, John Lennon, that movie "Fever Pitch" and a disdain for French things.

However, the time has come for England to borrow from us (not just Madonna, we don't want her back)-- in the naming pool! Here are some names that are in the top 500 for England and Wales in 2011 that probably originated in the USA (or at least North America somewhere)

Shaniqua - ok, there were only 3 born in England & Wales last year, but still. This name is about as American as apple pie. OK, I'm not sure why apple pie is considered American, since apples were brought to North America from Europe, but whatever. Actually, it kind of works metaphorically in this sense, since Shaniqua is an African-American created name, and the ancestors of African- Americans were brought over by Europeans from Africa. So there! Anyway, the three Shaniquas in England are playing alongside Pippas and Poppies and other little English kids. Score! USA! USA!

T'Keyah- There were 3 T'keyah's born in England and Wales last year. How many in the USA? None! How about that-- especially since its most famous bearer is American actress/comedienne and writer T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh. 

Nevaeh - there were 495 of these born in England and Wales last year! Holy cow! There were also 23 Neveahs, 6 Nevayas, 4 Navayahs, 3 Navayas, 3 Nevaehas, and 3 Neviahs. Wait, there's more! Double-names are pretty popular in England and Wales right now, so add to that Nevaeh-Grace (4), Nevaeh-Mai (5), Nevaeh-Mae (3), Nevaeh-Marie (3), Nevaeh-Rae (3), & Nevaeh-Rose (6). That's a whole lot for a name that was probably invented in the USA in the 1990s (its charm is that it spells HEAVEN backwards, and nobody can agree how to pronounce it).

Savannah - a city in Georgia, though sporadically used as a name from the 1880s on through the 20th century, it was not widely used as a name in the USA before the 1980s. It was the 1982 movie Savannah Smiles that made this name take off. In England last year, there were 390 born (along with 51 Savannas)

Dakota - another US place name, there were 66 female Dakotas and 10 boys born in England & Wales last year. Interesting, since it has been more common for boys than girls in the USA (though now the popularity is evening out for both genders, probably at least in part due to the rise to fame of actress Dakota Fanning).

Indiana- the 19th state admitted to the Union, Indiana as a name is best known for the rogue archaeologist Indiana Jones of cinema fame. In the USA, it's been used sporadically as a girls' name since the 19th century. In England and Wales last year, there were 50 girl Indianas (and 22 Indianna/Indyanas) and 24 boy Indianas. In contrast, the USA had 42 boy Indianas and 54 girl ones.

Texas- There were seven girls in England and Wales named after the Lone Star State last year. The USA had none (or 4 or fewer). There were, however, 7 boys named Texas in the USA (and 7 named just Tex). I find it interesting how when America's 28th state crossed the Atlantic it switched genders!

Sookie - There were 7 of these born in England & Wales last year, as opposed to 6 in the USA. Pretty impressive for a name that comes from the American tv show True Blood. The name is pretty American,  Charlaine Harris, the author of the Southern Vampire Mysteries books that True Blood was based on, picked a "fine old southern nickname" to use for her protagonist. However, as a first name, Sookie (rhymes with "cookie") wasn't given to any babies (or at least fewer than 5 a year as that's the lowest number the SSA records) before 2010. Anna Paquin, the actress who portrays Sookie Stackhouse in the television series was born in Canada and raised in New Zealand.

Demi - Demi Moore (born Demetria) was once the highest paid actress in Hollywood. Strangely, the name Demi never really caught on in the USA. It peaked at #763 in the top 1000 in the 1990s, then fell off the charts, crawling back on in the 800s a few years ago. Moore did spawn one famous namesake - tween star Demi Lovato, which may have helped boost the popularity of the name in recent years. Beyond that the name never took off. Not so in England and Wales, though, where there were 235 born last year (plus 23 in other spellings and 143 hyphenated with other names like Leigh and Rose).

Scarlett - Most notably the heroine from Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone With the Wind, it was probably Vivien Leigh's portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara in the 1939 film adaptation that sparked the use of the name Scarlett. In the USA, the name was first used in 1939, and though it was quietly used throughout the remainder of the 20th century, it wasn't until the 21st century that it became really popular.

Nayeli -  In the USA, it is used exclusively by Spanish-speaking Americans. It means "I love you" in Zapotec, a native American language spoken in the southwestern-central highlands of Mexico, mainly in the Oaxaca region. It was the 1080th most common name in the USA in 2011, and there were 5 of them born in England and Wales.

Renesmee - We've been absorbing literary names from England for centuries now. I mean, without Shakespeare alone, we'd have no Olivia, Jessica, Miranda, Imogen or Nerissa. How many literary names go from the USA back to England? Well, this one did. Renesmee was the name of the daughter of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen the vampire in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. There were 5 of them born in England and Wales in 2011. The name is a combination of Renee and Esme, the name of zzzzzzz I didn't actually read the book. OK, reportedly, they were the names of Bella's grandmothers. The USA bore 38 Renesemees last year.


Sunday, October 07, 2012

Updated Recommendations!

Hey Name Nerds! It's time for a mini-pledge drive (kind of like on PBS only probably way less entertaining). The only way this money-sucking hobby website ever breaks even is through the

Name Recommendation Page

I just updated it-- added a few new books I've picked up. 

So, if you're thinking of buying a name book, if you do it through Namenerds.com, we'll get a cut! Even if you don't buy any of the books on the list, just by starting your search by clicking through the links on there will cause Name Nerds to get a tiny cut. Seriously. Even if you buy a book about raising alpacas or a screwdriver set. I have no idea why it works this way, but I'm not complaining!

THANKS!!!

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Today's Name Musing: Willodean

Every so often I come across a name and wonder about it. As I was going through the SSA name data from the year 1930, I came across the name Willodean (also spelled Willadean, Willodene, Wylodean, Willidean, Willadene, Willodeen, Wilodean, and Willowdean). This seems like an awful lot of spellings for a name I'd never heard of before. Upon looking at more years, I found that the name first popped up in 1914, peaked in popularity in 1924 though it stayed popular until 1934, then fizzled out and completely disappeared in the 1960s. It was only used in seven states, with the majority of the names being used in Alabama--the others were in Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee, and a couple in Texas and Oklahoma, though there were 5 Willavenes in 1926 Pennsylvania.

Where did this name come from? I thought maybe it would be from a book or a movie (ok, maybe a little early for a movie) as most names popping up out of the blue these days are from those sources. When I searched Google Books for "Willodean" published between 1800 and 1914, all I got was a listing in the Percheron Stud Book of America, 1912 edition. Apparently someone named a horse Willodean (foaled April 21, 1909-- sire was named Pigalin and the dam was Magie G. Aren't you glad you know that?). 199 babies in 1924 were probably not named after a horse. Oh yeah, it said "Willadean" was mentioned in the book Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates, but when I did a search through the text, it didn't come up with anything. I actually started reading the book (which I remember reading as a kid, but don't recall any Willadeans in it), but thought it was kind of psycho to read an entire book just to see if there was one name reference that the computer had missed. Ditto for the reference to "willowdene" that led nowhere in Sir Walter Scott's The Betrothed. There is a book, published in 1909, called The Secret of Willow Dene, by Willow Dene. There's another book with the same title by Adeline Sergeant (1851-1904). Unfortunately, I can't find out anything else about either one!

I found a reference to a Willowdean Chatterson Handy who published anthropology books in the 1920s. She must have been born in the 1800s, though I'm not sure in what country (she wrote about natives of the Marquesas Islands).

The Willadean nurseries are in Kentucky, which were founded around 1909 (now are the Willadean-Donaldson Nurseries I think). Not sure if this would inspire parents to name their baby girls after it. 

There's a Willowdean Ave. in West Roxbury, MA. All the houses on it seem to have been built in the 1930s. Not much info there. There appears to be a Willowdean or Willow Dean district in Armagh, Northern Ireland and a Willowdene neighborhood or district (?) in Norfolk, England. It also seems to be a popular name for Pubs, B&Bs, shops and other businesses in England and Australia. I found a story in Pearson's magazine from 1900 called "How Willowdene Will Escaped The Parson's" by Halliwell Sutcliffe. There was also a British steamship in the 1890s called Willowdene. We may be onto something? 

There were lots of popular names starting with Wil- in use during this era (Wilma, Willene, Wilhelmina, Willetta, Willamae, Williemae, Willie) as well as names ending with -dean, -dine, and -deen (Aldean, Bernardine, Earldine, Donaldine etc.), but it seems a stretch to think a name made up of two elements seemingly picked at random (neither element was *that* popular) would suddenly become so popular. Besides, at least Bernardine and Donaldine are technically -ine names added to names ending with D, not -dine names! Also, most -dean names started out as -dine names and then got the -dean spelling later. With Willodean, this trend is reversed. 

I did find this blurb from a site that's not generally known for its accurate name meanings
Willodean is a name of uncertain origin. It may have originated as a combination of the names Willow and Dean, but it is perhaps more likely to be a corruption of Willardine, a feminized form of the name Willard. Willodean was mostly used in the American South in the early twentieth century. It is a rare name today.

This doesn't really hold much water, though, as I can't find a single instance of the name Willardine in the SSA name database. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist, just that if it was given to any babies at all since 1880, it was given to fewer than five a year.

So, what's up with this name? Anyone have any ideas?

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

1930 Names - Boys

I finished the top names of 1930 for boys. Here it is!

Top names of 1930 - BOYS

There were some interesting names in 1930. Wow.

There were lots of ranks, offices and titles (numbers are how many kids got that name in 1930):

Admiral 8
Colonel 13
Commodore 12
Council 8
Doctor 6
Duke 33
General 47
Governor 12
Judge 51
Lawyer 31
Lieutenant 5
Major 143
Minor 24
Pastor 5
President 5
Prince 63
Proctor 7
Saint 6
Sargent 5
Squire 5




I shouldn't get too excited-- Judge, Duke, Prince, and Major still show up on name lists in the 21st century... but Lieutenant? And I'm glad I'm not named Minor!

There were some good adjectives:
Bland 6
Craven 7
French 13
Handy 11
Moody 15
Real 11
Reedy 8
Smiley 10
Worthy 7

and even better nouns (and a couple of verbs):
Almond 14
Author 51
Choyce 6
Cluster 8
Custer 7
Dock 86
Ell 5
Ether 5
Excell 8
Fines 5
Fleet 11
France 8
Glade 17
Gleen 14
Harm 9
Less 9
Luster 18
Metro 6
Orange 11
Other 7
Ova 13
Oval 8
Quince 5
Ruble 12
Shafter 8
Square 5
Toy 18
Trellis 6
Veto 5
Wales 5
Wash 18

Monday, September 24, 2012

Top Girls' names of 1930

I'm slowly going through the Social Security Administration's name database grouping names by spelling, one year at time. I'm on 2005, and it was getting a bit tedious, what with trying to remember whether I've been putting Kaleigh with the 10,000 spellings of Kaylee or the 25 spellings of Callie... so I jumped to 1930 where things were a little easier. Still working on the boys' names, but the girls' list is here:

Popular Baby Names Grouped By Spelling: 1930 (Girls' List)

Thursday, July 19, 2012

2011 Name Highlights

Here are the highlights of the 2011 name lists (biggest gaining names, biggest losing etc.)

2011 Name Highlights: Girls

2011 Name Highlights: Boys

Revised List

I posted the top 7000 boys' names of 2011 before I had a chance to nit-pick the spellings and compare them against last year's list. So, here is the newly revised list:

Top 7000 Boys Names of 2011 - revised

nothing really radical has changed, most of the differences between this list and the last one I posted are among the names with popularities in the bottom 3000.