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HelpRe: celeb baby name popularity question
in reply to a message by auria
Well, most of the time, the names are "just" starting to gain popularity, and would likely become (somewhat equally) popular whether or not a celebrity used them. I think someone famous using the name, just gives it a little boost, like Hazel, in 1997 it appeared back on the charts at #979, and for 2003 it was #681.
If Julia Roberts hadn't used it, we'd probably see notiable popularity in 10-15 years, but she did use it, and therefore more people are thinking about/hearing it (which would also happen, if it gained slowly, it would just be a few people at a time).
So, basically, I think they're just on the front end of the trend, not creating it.
If Julia Roberts hadn't used it, we'd probably see notiable popularity in 10-15 years, but she did use it, and therefore more people are thinking about/hearing it (which would also happen, if it gained slowly, it would just be a few people at a time).
So, basically, I think they're just on the front end of the trend, not creating it.
This message was edited 1/11/2005, 4:27 PM
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I agree [m]
In most cases that's probably quite true. Celebs just tend to be members of the trendsetting subculture, regardless of their celebrity, but depending more on the fact that they are in the entertainment biz; and they name accordingly. They boost the popularity, maybe, but they're under the same influences as the rest of us... soap operas, books, not knowing any bearers because they're all in the dying generation; and perhaps nostalgia for the most recent era that has fallen out of living memory, or for any era whose zeitgeist seems to resonate with the present time.
I bet Julia Roberts didn't check the pop charts before naming her kids, and thinks she was naming quite uniquely. But even folks on this board were talking about using Hazel and Phineas months before JR gave birth. I've done the same thing -- I thought no one could like Violet, until I started visiting name boards last year and found out it's the latest fad.
- chazda
edited to change subject line
In most cases that's probably quite true. Celebs just tend to be members of the trendsetting subculture, regardless of their celebrity, but depending more on the fact that they are in the entertainment biz; and they name accordingly. They boost the popularity, maybe, but they're under the same influences as the rest of us... soap operas, books, not knowing any bearers because they're all in the dying generation; and perhaps nostalgia for the most recent era that has fallen out of living memory, or for any era whose zeitgeist seems to resonate with the present time.
I bet Julia Roberts didn't check the pop charts before naming her kids, and thinks she was naming quite uniquely. But even folks on this board were talking about using Hazel and Phineas months before JR gave birth. I've done the same thing -- I thought no one could like Violet, until I started visiting name boards last year and found out it's the latest fad.
- chazda
edited to change subject line
This message was edited 1/11/2005, 9:20 PM
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