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HelpPopularity that surprises you
I know we’ve had several threads like this, but I feel like bringing it back. What are some things about the popularity data that surprised you?
-I completely forgot that Logan made a massive jump into the top 10 in 2017….and left about as soon as it came. I seriously don’t remember that happening.
-Leslie popped back in the top 100 for a few years in the early 2000’s. This surprises me because Leslie sounds like such a Boomer or Gen X name to me.
-Steven being consistently more popular than Stephen, although literally everyone I know in real life spells it the later way.
-The fact that Taylen had never been in the top 1000 despite the fact I know no fewer than three kids/teens with the name.
-The fact that Chelsea charted first and was consistently more popular than Kelsey. I know way more people named Kelsey and it sounds more like a “real” name where Chelsea feels like a knock off, like what Addison is to Madison. And my name is Chelsea.
-I completely forgot that Logan made a massive jump into the top 10 in 2017….and left about as soon as it came. I seriously don’t remember that happening.
-Leslie popped back in the top 100 for a few years in the early 2000’s. This surprises me because Leslie sounds like such a Boomer or Gen X name to me.
-Steven being consistently more popular than Stephen, although literally everyone I know in real life spells it the later way.
-The fact that Taylen had never been in the top 1000 despite the fact I know no fewer than three kids/teens with the name.
-The fact that Chelsea charted first and was consistently more popular than Kelsey. I know way more people named Kelsey and it sounds more like a “real” name where Chelsea feels like a knock off, like what Addison is to Madison. And my name is Chelsea.
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One name that's remained in the top 100 (in my state for a few years during the 2000s) is Margaret- it's pleasing to me that a name with such history is used around here. Though, I have only ever met two girls around my age, and one born in 2008, who have the name Margaret (as a first name). Even on the 2023 SSA South Carolina data, Margaret sits at rank number 58; she still seems to be going strong!
Ettie hasn't made a comeback in the US yet even though it's made a big comeback in England and Wales (it went from not being in the top 1000 at all to being in the top 500 in only 5 years). Likely because the boom occurred because the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup mascot was named Ettie... and as we all know, Americans don't like soccer.
DH loves watching tennis, and last week there was an ATP final and a Billie Jean King women's tournament. So I noticed the losing finalist in the ATP was named Taylor, and so was, I think, a semifinalist in the women's. Never seen anything like that before.
The rank and persistence of Penelope surprises me.
I am guessing they'll mostly go by Nell or Nellie.
I knew that about Chelsea. Chelsea is the original name, to me, and Kelsey the knock-off.
Although Kelsey is more of a surname-name and a boyname-on-girls (Kelsey Grammer was born in '55 and Kelsey was used for boys before girls). Kelsey seems more akin to Lesley in my mind, than to Chelsea, although they're part of the same sound-trend.
I am guessing they'll mostly go by Nell or Nellie.
I knew that about Chelsea. Chelsea is the original name, to me, and Kelsey the knock-off.
Although Kelsey is more of a surname-name and a boyname-on-girls (Kelsey Grammer was born in '55 and Kelsey was used for boys before girls). Kelsey seems more akin to Lesley in my mind, than to Chelsea, although they're part of the same sound-trend.
I can never quite get over Jane not being in the top 1000 where I live (England). It's just ingrained in my head as a classic that's perennially popular (at least moderately).
August took longer to get into the the top 1000 here than I expected.
I'm surprised (but delighted) Nikolai isn't in yet.
Loki being in the top 500. I like to track the data to the character's appearances in MCU films and events, because his influence is so obvious. And I know he's very popular (I'm also a fan) and I think the name in sound is very accessible, but it still surprises me that so many people actually went for it.
August took longer to get into the the top 1000 here than I expected.
I'm surprised (but delighted) Nikolai isn't in yet.
Loki being in the top 500. I like to track the data to the character's appearances in MCU films and events, because his influence is so obvious. And I know he's very popular (I'm also a fan) and I think the name in sound is very accessible, but it still surprises me that so many people actually went for it.
-Logan feels very 90's to me, I wasn't aware of the random 2017 spike.
-Agree Leslie is a total boomer name.
-Steven doesn't surprise me, most of the "Stee-ven" people I know are Stevens. I know a few that are Stephen, but at least an equal number of "Steff-en" Stephens.
-I've never met a Taylen but it sounds like it would be popular.
-Hmm... I think I do know more people named Kelsey but I don't know if I'm really surprised that Chelsea is/was more popular.
-I'm surprised that Levi is popular, I don't know any and it doesn't seem like the style that would be popular.
-I'm still surprised that Evelyn is popular, it still sounds dated to me.
-Hudson also sounds kind of dated to me and it's ranked 21.
-Agree Leslie is a total boomer name.
-Steven doesn't surprise me, most of the "Stee-ven" people I know are Stevens. I know a few that are Stephen, but at least an equal number of "Steff-en" Stephens.
-I've never met a Taylen but it sounds like it would be popular.
-Hmm... I think I do know more people named Kelsey but I don't know if I'm really surprised that Chelsea is/was more popular.
-I'm surprised that Levi is popular, I don't know any and it doesn't seem like the style that would be popular.
-I'm still surprised that Evelyn is popular, it still sounds dated to me.
-Hudson also sounds kind of dated to me and it's ranked 21.
Etta took me off guard. I think there are much prettier vintage names but perhaps Etta was chosen for its simplicity - and the fact it would be kinda neat as a middle name. Julie Etta - Julietta, Mary Etta - Marietta for example. Etta Marie, Etta Jane, and Etta Jeanine might appeal to some people, too.
This message was edited 11/17/2024, 3:26 PM
I agree with you about Steven v. Stephen. I think those named Steven shorten their name to Steve in daily life. As for Kelsey and Chelsea, they're different names to me.
How fast Theodore made it to the top 10 while being a vintage name. It's not like Liam, Elijah or Mateo.
Emilia not within the top 20. This name has many qualities that make it fit in with Mia, Isabella or Emma: similar sounds, common initial, resemblance to other names, usage in many, many languages, used by Hispanics, famous bearers (Emilia Clarke), sudden popularity...
Elowyn cracking the top 1000, but not Elowen, the original spelling.
Jream. I don't think I have to elaborate.
Vincent and Victor's steadiness. They were never out of the chart.
I thought Arlo, Louis and Atticus were more popular, in the top 100.
Xander rapidly fading in popularity.
Emmeline, a medieval name, resurfacing in 2014.
How fast Theodore made it to the top 10 while being a vintage name. It's not like Liam, Elijah or Mateo.
Emilia not within the top 20. This name has many qualities that make it fit in with Mia, Isabella or Emma: similar sounds, common initial, resemblance to other names, usage in many, many languages, used by Hispanics, famous bearers (Emilia Clarke), sudden popularity...
Elowyn cracking the top 1000, but not Elowen, the original spelling.
Jream. I don't think I have to elaborate.
Vincent and Victor's steadiness. They were never out of the chart.
I thought Arlo, Louis and Atticus were more popular, in the top 100.
Xander rapidly fading in popularity.
Emmeline, a medieval name, resurfacing in 2014.
Freya in the UK chart. I just missed it, it fooled me))
Luna. Despite being in the Top 10 where I live, I never met ANYONE with that name, unless you count my friend’s fish.
That’s totally Oliver for me. I don’t know any and I work with kids!