Babycenter.com has released it’s annual list of top 100 names for boys and girls born to members of their site.
Despite the usual misguided claims that the popularity of Isabella and Jacob is thanks to Twilight, or that Kourtney Kardashian katapulted the rise of Mason, there are some interesting tidbits to be gleaned from lists like this.
It’s important to remember that stats released by Babycenter are not official counts like the one that the Social Security Administration releases every May. However, I would wager that the majority of the sites regular users are moderately tech savvy, middle class moms who as a group hold some sway in the social media world. As such, they may be slightly ahead of the curve when it comes to things like, well, baby names.
While there’s no direct apples to apples comparison since we only have the official statistics from 2010, you’ll see that there are marked differences in the rankings of certain names. Just compare the numbers, keeping in mind that the Babycenter data combines names with different spelling (hence Sophia and Aiden come out on top).
We’re going “Prim and Proper” for our girls.
Penelope is at 91 compared to 200 on the SSA. Violet is at 92 vs. 123 on BBC. Nora, a surprise winner here, charts at 76 vs. 159 nationally. Harper, no surprise, ranks at 60 (vs. 119). Other Babycenter success stories include Scarlett (61 vs. 114), Lucy (55 vs. 75), Charlotte (25 vs. 45), Lily (6 vs. 17), and Aubrey (20 vs. 44) — the most rural in feel here, a good sister pick to many of the boys below. The biggest shock (or not) goes to Lila, a whopping # 37 versus 155 on the Social Security Rankings. Can you hear me screaming? Lila may be the next Ava. And why not? It’s a lovely name. (Apologies, Bliss).
Boys’ picks are both “Wild West” and “Friendly Classic.”
Jackson and Mason are the big stories here. Jackson comes in at #2 vs. 25 on the SSA (funnily enough, right behind Samuel). I suppose that’s with combining Jaxon and Jaxson. Mason, which surely doesn’t have too many alternate spellings, ranks 3rd, vs. 12 nationally. Expect it to crack the top 10 list come May. Babycenter mamas also like sound alikes Grayson (48 vs. 123), and Jack (13 vs. 44). Local Brooklyn favorites Max (44 vs. 98) and Henry (41 vs. 67) are fairing quite well. I’m feeling top 20 for these soon. Other New York picks I noticed on the upswing? Oliver (88 vs. 56), Hudson (95 vs. 138), and Asher (90 vs. 139). While Bentley sounds like it could be very New York, it’s decidedly not. Teen Mom inspired this chart topper (84 on BBC vs. 101 on SSA), and feel good western Wyatt makes waves at #40 vs. #55.
Take heed, if you’re concerned about picking a popular name for your baby in utero, these are all destined to make their way up the charts. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, mind you. It just means you won’t be alone in liking your child’s name.
Click here for the full list.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Nora is getting so popular! That was my pick for my last baby – who turned out to be a boy. Still have only met one baby Nora to date, which is okay…for now.
I don’t know a single boy named Aiden. I’ve met lots of Cadens (various spellings) but the only Aiden I know is a girl and she is about 10 years old (so before the trend of the name hit). I happen to love it for a girl. Other ones I hear often: Lucy, Lilly, Mason and Asher.
No top 20 for Henry!!!
My friend has a 2 year old Penelope and she was surprised to see her in the top 100 in that list. (She also has a Lily and a Lucy, as mentioned above too.)
I haven’t met any Lilas yet – will have to keep an eye out for that one. I do know of one baby Nora.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the names you mentioned rocket up the charts. I’d love to see Henry in the top ten again, hopefully knocking out Aiden or Jayden.
I know an Ayden, Aden, and two Aidens – all under the age of 4. It’s a lovely name but I’m really sick of hearing it and all its spawn.
Henry is getting popular, and after all these ends-in-N names I can see why! Plus he’s just so darn regal and dashing
Ditto Oliver.
I don’t know any Noras but I do know a 2 year old who was thisclose to being Nora. She ended up Lorele! instead.
I know four Lilas … and two of them have a sister named Ava!
Elisabeth did you hear the rumour that Lily Allen has named her daughter Ethel?!!
GAH!
Does that mean you don’t like the name, or you don’t believe the rumour?
Neither. It means I was THRILLED to hear some word on the subject!
Babycenter does post a list with different spellings on a different ranking – that list is probably a lot closer to the one the SSA will publish in May. Mason was #1 for boys in that ranking.
Do you mind posting the link? I’m curious, and didn’t know they published two different lists.
Yes!
I’ve got 4 kids and not one of them made the list!
Lots of great names, some horrible names. But still an interesting list. Still nice to see old-times faves like Katherine, Anna and Elizabeth on there!
Nora/Norah has been up & coming in my area. I also know of many Aiden/Aidans, a Lyla and a Mason. I’ve heard of two Coopers and a Carter as well…adding more to the surname pile for boys.
Yep. I agree with the Lila prediction. It’s one of the few that seems popular with the name nerds AND people in my midsize Texas town. I can think of 5 off the top of my head.