Ten Most Popular Names for Babies Born in 2007: Boy Vs. Girl Choices

Recently the list of most popular names given to newborn boys and girls was published. Reviewing this list it occurred to me that while names given to baby girls change slowly over time, the names given to baby boys remain relatively the same from year to year and even decade to decade.

Names selected for girls appear to be based on appeal and sound. Many are almost lyrical and bring back memories of heroines from our past as found in favorite novels, movies or television series. These include Emily, Ava, Sophia, Olivia, Abigail, Hannah, Emma, and Madison, all found in the most popular list for the year 2007.

Looking back over the past several decades the most popular names given to newborn girls reads much like a review of the then popular movies, daytime dramas, and novels. In the year 2000 we see on the list: Emily, Hannah, Ashley, Jessica, Madison, and Alexis all popular heroines of that year.

A decade earlier (1990) the list introduces Brittany, Amanda, Sarah, Jennifer and Lauren in another recap of popular characters or celebrities from the time.

This pattern holds true through every decade as expectant Moms and Dads borrow names from celebrities based on their admiration of the character or perhaps the appeal of the name 'selected' by the celebrity.

If we trace the pattern back to our parents era (to see how our names were selected) we can see the pattern remains only fifty years ago the emphasis was entirely placed on the names movie stars as TV had little influence at the time. In 1950 the most popular girl's names were: Linda, Mary, Patricia, Barbara, Susan, Nancy, Deborah, Sandra, Carol, and Kathleen. Every name could be traced to a then popular movie star.

What about the names given to newborn boys?

These are much less interesting and for the most part reflect little change from year to year and to a lesser extent, decade to decade.

With little exception the most popular given boy's names are biblical based. Consider the most recent list (2007) of the most popular names given to baby boys. Eight of the ten most popular names are taken from biblical names. The list includes: Jacob, Michael, Ethan, Joshua, Daniel, Christopher, Matthew, and Andrew.

In the year 2000 these same eight names remained on the list joined by Nicholas and Tyler.

In 1990 a ninth biblical name was added (Joseph) to the other eight, the only non-biblical name being Justin.

Since 1960 the number of biblical based names in the top ten most popular was as follows: 1980 - 9, 1970 - 6, 1960 - 7.

By way of contrast biblical based names given to girls averages two of the top ten for each of the five decades reviewed.

In an attempt to explain the difference in name selection between the sexes there have been many theories. Some suggest because men are so frequently named after the family Patriarch the old, traditional names, many biblical based, have been carried through the generations.

Others have suggested that romantic novels, and theatrical presentations have presented a wider array of colorful characters and colorful names for women.

Another theory is that men lacking a sense of originality prefer the old traditional, sturdy, manly names: John, David, Joseph, Mark, and Tom (Thomas).

While some of these theories may apply I believe a combination of factors are at work here. Certainly over the past ten years the names given to men while biblical based in origin also reflect the names of some of our most popular movie, television and action series actors.

Considering just the most recent (2007) ten most popular male names...eight are biblical in origin, but also are the names of some of the most popular male Hollywood stars including:

Christopher - Christopher Reeve, Christopher Walken, Christopher Nolan.

Daniel - Daniel McPherson, Daniel Newman and Danny Glover.

Ethan - Ethan Hawke, Ethan Emery.

Joshua - Joshua Gorban, Joshua Jackson, Joshua Hartlett

Michael - Michael Douglas, Michael Easton, Michael J. Fox, Michael Keaton, Michael Jackson.

Matthew - Matt Leblanc, Matthew Broderick, Matthew Conaughey, Matthew Perry, Matt Dillon.

Andrew - Andy Garcia

In summary, perhaps there is no significant difference in how the names of girls are selected as compared with how those of boys are chosen. Celebrity plays an important rolein each case. In naming boys celebrity is mixed with the Biblical tradition while in naming girls celebrity and celbrity popularity seems to have greater influence.

One thing for certain....the names chosen for girls do offer more variety and originality.