Old and Young Love Tradition

The younger we get the older we get! That would seem to be the message when looking at this year’s list of most popular baby names for 2007.

Social Security’s most popular announcement generally coincides with spring time and what could be more gratifying to Oklahoma seniors than displaying baby names selected by new parents that are very similar to their own. Each year, Social Security tabulates the names selected for newborns by parents when they apply for that child’s Social Security card.

As usual, biblical and traditional names rule by a large majority, as the names of a generation ago seem to fade with time. If you’re looking for a Nancy, Debbie, Tom or Robert, you will probably have to check out someone in their forties, fifties or even older. If you like the names Emily and Jacob, look no further than the nursery at the hospital. Those two names again top the list of most favorites as selected by parents across the country.

Emily has topped the list since 1996 and Jacob has done so since 1999. Elizabeth returns to the top ten after a two-year absence. The top ten boys and girls names for 2007 are: Boys: Girls: 1) Jacob 1) Emily 2) Michael 2) Isabella 3) Ethan 3) Emma 4) Joshua 4) Ava 5) Daniel 5) Madison 6) Christopher 6) Sophia 7) Anthony 7) Olivia 8) William 8) Abigail 9) Matthew 9) Hannah 10) Andrew 10) Elizabeth

As a matter of fact, the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov offers the baby name lists for each year since 1880. There has also been a notable change in rankings based on popular people from the last year. The 2007 success of race car driver Danica Patrick undoubtedly inspired her first name to move from number 352 to 307 in the top 1000. Similarly, the name of the first pick in last year’s NFL draft, JaMarcus Russell, rose from number 914 to 743 on the boy’s list.

The remarkable name is not without representation this year. For example, the 2007 boys list includes the names Sincere and Messiah, both within the top 1000. For girls, don’t be surprised if you hear the names Destiny, Serenity, Harmony, Miracle, Journey, Essence and Armani to name just a few. By the way, Elvis is apparently still alive with his name rising from 761 to number 676 on this year’s list. If we want to bring it closer to home and review name choices in Oklahoma, you’ll find little difference: Boys: Girls: 1) Ethan 1) Emma 2) Jacob 2) Madison 3) Joshua 3) Emily 4) Noah 4) Addison 5) William 5) Hannah

Ethan is the new first choice for a male name with Jacob and Noah entering the top five this year. For girls, Addison replaces Abigail at number four on the list; that being the only change from 2006. If you don’t mind me giving my age away, the only names from this list I recognize from high school is William. I knew no others bearing these now popular names.

Another interesting sidelight this year is the naming of twins. Parents were more likely to combine Matthew with Michael, Daniel with David and Jacob with Joshua. For girls, you guessed it, Emma and Ella. It’s almost like watching a western movie or The Ten Commandments.

According to name experts, the continuing popularity of these names may indicate that they appeal to multiple ethnic and religious groups and generally have no negative connotations.

The bottom line seems to be that no matter what name we have, each person is special, old or young. If you’d like to see where your name fits in, access the complete story and interactive chart at www.socialsecurity.gov. Now let’s see, Denver, Mary, Buster, Euna

Larry Jones is a public affairs specialist with Social Security in Oklahoma City. To schedule a presentation for your group, contact him at larry.jones@ssa.gov.