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Popular Baby Names - Changing Times, Changing Cultures |
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Nothing reflects changing times and changing cultures more
accurately than popular baby names. For example, in 2004, the
name "Mohammed" entered the top 20 list of popular baby boy
names in England and Wales for the first time. This shows the
rapid growth of the Muslim community in the UK over the past
generation.
The changes in popular baby names
This is quite a radical change and if we look at the most
popular baby names in the UK over the last century there are
other major changes. Compare the 2 following lists:
Popular baby boy names - 1904:
1. William, 2. John, 3. George, 4. Thomas, 5. Arthur.
Popular baby boy names - 2004:
1. Jack, 2. Joshua, 3. Thomas, 4. James, 5. Daniel.
As we can see, the only name that has stayed in the in the top 5
over the last 100 years is "Thomas". At the same time, the name
"Arthur" has completely disappeared from the top 100 list.
If we look at the lists of popular baby girl names, the changes
are even more spectacular:
Popular baby girl names - 1904:
1. Mary, 2. Florence, 3. Doris, 4. Edith, 5. Dorothy.
Popular baby girl names - 2004:
2. Emily, 2. Ellie, 3. Jessica, 4. Sophie, 5. Chloe.
Anyone know any girl under the age of 10 with the names Doris or
Dorothy?
Parents tend to be a lot more adventurous when naming their baby
girls, which is why the girls' lists tend to show much more
variety and individual baby girl names move up and down the list
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frequently. Popular baby girl names are perhaps the best
indicator of popular culture, for instance, the UK's 2005 list
has seen the name "Keira" rise 13 places to 38, and the name
"Scarlett" jump 25 places to 47 - based on the popularity of
Hollywood actresses, respectively Keira Knightley and Scarlett
Johansson.
The difference in boys and girls is even more obvious when you
look at the very top of the list of popular baby names; "Jack"
has been the most popular baby boy name in the UK for the last
11 years, whereas the most popular baby girl name has changed
from "Chloe" to "Emily" to "Jessica" between 2001 and 2005.
Popular baby names - the US experience
Interestingly, in 2004, the most popular baby girl name in the
US was exactly the same as in the UK - "Emily". However, only
one other name (Olivia) appeared on both lists. The more
consistent approach to naming baby boys is again confirmed - 4
boys names appear on both lists (Joshua, Daniel, William and
Joseph). Of these, "Joshua" is the highest placed on both lists
- number 2 on the UK list and number 3 on the US list.
Amazingly, if we go back 100 years, we see the same patterns.
Once again, the most popular baby girl name in 1904 is exactly
the same in both countries (Mary), with few other similarities.
However, 3 of the top 4 baby boy names are the same (William,
John, George) with "William and "George" being the top 2 on both
lists, just in a different order.
The differences between baby boy naming and baby girl naming is
even more
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obvious in the US - 7 of the top 10 most popular baby
boy names in 2004 were biblical names, including the top 4 -
"Jacob", "Michael", "Joshua" and "Matthew". Only one girl's name
(Hannah) in the top 10 has a biblical connection.
In fact "Michael" - my own name - provides a great insight into
both the changing times and the more conservative baby boy
naming attitudes in the US:
* During the 1910s it appeared in the decade's list of most
popular baby names at position 436.
* Over the 1920s, it rose to position 52.
* Over the 1940s it entered the top 10 at position number 9.
* Over the 1960s, it became the most popular baby boy name
* It remained in the number 1 position during the 1960s, 70s,
80s and 90s - 40 years at the top!
* Since the beginning of the new decade (2000s) it has fallen
slightly to position 2.
Mighty "Mo"
But what's the latest on "Mohammed"? Well, having reached
position 20 in the UK 2004, it actually dropped to position 23
in 2005. Hmmm...was 2004 just an unusual year? Well, no not
really - if you look further down the 2005 list you will also
see "Muhammad" at position 56 and "Mohammad" at position 70.
"Mighty Mo" is on the move...
About the author:
Michael Barrows' website has great info on baby names and lots
of baby resources. Get your lists of baby names and free ebook
packed with baby tips for new parents, visit the popular baby names website.
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