Thursday, May 14, 2009

What's Your Name, Baby?

I stumbled across this list of the most popular baby names for 2008. What struck me was that the boys names very easily could've been from the 1960's era when I was born.

1. Jacob
2. Michael
3. Ethan
4. Joshua
5. Daniel
6. Alexander
7. Anthony
8. William
9. Christopher
10. Matthew

With exception of Ethan and Alexander all of these mostly Biblical names were popular in the 60's. Throw in perennial favorites John and David and this could've been the list for 1961.

The girls list, however, would have been unthinkable in 1961.

1. Emma
2. Isabella
3. Emily
4. Madison
5. Ava
6. Olivia
7. Sophia
8. Abigail
9. Elizabeth
10. Chloe

Other than Elizabeth (shortened to Beth in those days) none of these names were popular in the 60's. Most of these names were "grandma" names when I was growing up. That being said, it would be strange for a mother to name a daughter Debra or Sharon these days.

As for naming a son Craig... Child abuse!


CW

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