Like the ball dropping in New York or the It’s a Wonderful Life movie marathon, reviewing the list of top baby names is an annual tradition. Each year, the U.S. Social Security Administration releases its list of the top baby names from the previous year. The 2008 list has been compiled and released, and it includes some old favorites as well as some rising stars.
Baby Girl Names
Traditionally, popular baby girl names have varied more than those for the boys. In 2008, the top ten girl names were:
- Emma
- Isabella
- Emily
- Madison
- Ava
- Olivia
- Sophia
- Abigail
- Elizabeth
- Chloe
While some of these names, such as Emily and Elizabeth, have been perennial favorites, others such as Ava have been slowly moving up the list during the past decade. The current top ten list seems to reflect a desire to return to old-fashioned femininity, with many of the names reflecting a Victorian feel.
Baby Names for Boys
On the boy’s side, the top ten names are largely the same year in and year out. In 2008, the most popular baby names for boys were:
- Jacob
- Michael
- Ethan
- Joshua
- Daniel
- Alexander
- Anthony
- William
- Christopher
- Matthew
Jacob has continued a 10 year hold on the #1 spot while Michael has been close behind as #2. All the other names, excluding Ethan which was #37 in 1999, have remained in the Top 20 for the last decade, with most of them rotating spots in the Top 10. Baby names for boys seem centered on those that convey a sense of tradition and stability.
Baby Name Tips
New parents are often faced with a naming dilemma. While an uncommon name may set their child apart, research shows that those with common names – especially boys – tend to be more successful later in life. For parents considering names, here are some things worth considering..
Be Wary of Unusual Spellings
Some parents may think that a unique spelling to a common name will provide their child with the best of both worlds. However, the reality is that parents are setting their children up for a lifetime of misspellings and constant corrections. In the end, Sophia, Sofia and Sophya all sound the same and are perceived as the same name. Children don’t gain anything from the different spelling than the chance of never finding their name on the personalized pencils at the store.
Pair an Unusual Name with a Common Name
People with outgoing personalities would embrace and benefit from an unusual name. Those who tend to be shy and withdrawn may see such a name as baggage to carry their whole life long. Parents who are considering an unusual name would be well advised to pair it with a common middle name or vice versa. That way, when little Eliezer gets older and decides the name is a little too unusual for him, he can fall back on his middle name, James.
Consider Nicknames
As with the idea of pairing a unusual name with a common one, it may also be beneficial to determine what nicknames will be derived from a child’s name. A girl names Marigold could call herself Mary and again benefit from the best of both words: an unusual full name that makes her unique, but a common nickname that is easy to understand.
Choosing a baby's name is one of the most important early decisions parents will make for their child. Today's popular baby names provide insight into what names will help a child succeed and which will set them apart as they grow older. Parents are well advised to take careful consideration when selecting a name, regardless of whether a popular name or more unique moniker is chosen.
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Maryalene LaPonsie - Maryalene LaPonsie has been writing professionally for nearly 15 years on topics including religion and politics, education and ...
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