The Evolution Of Names In The U.s.

[methodwriter85]

This was a pretty fascinating data look at how U.S. names changed over the course of the late 19th to early 21st century, with names put in bubbles that get smaller or bigger depending on where the name is ranked.

 

Here's the girls:

 

 

Here's the guys:

 

 

It was fascinating to watch my name- it basically came out of nowhere in the early 1970's, peaks as top 15 name in 1976, and then just free-falls out of popularity. Most of the guys with my name are in their early 40's now. I don't really meet little kids or old men with my name. I don't think I've ever met a guy in his 60's running around with the name "Jeremy."

 

It's kind of rare to see that with male names- it feels like most parents stick to traditional names like Matthew, John, and Michael with boys.

Edited October 12, 2016 by methodwriter85

[clochette]

I remember in middle school there were 2 other Marines just in my class.

 

Marie, Marine, Margot et Marion were extremely common in the 90' (not a surprise that's also the names of my cousins).

Same for Hugo, Thomas and Benjamin for the boys.

 

In the last years "old names" like Paul are coming back to fashion. Also short names like Lola, Clara, Elsa, Zoé...

[C. When]

I'd be interested to see this with middle names, since there are a handful that are ridiculously common and then there are a bunch of weird one. In one class in high school, we saw a list of everyone's names and all the girls, except one, had one of two middle names.

[Ron]

Based on the video, my brother's name was top ten popular of the time. I was named after some old guy, which is true, since I was named after my father's best friend, whose name was top ten popular of his time. Does that make me top ten popular by association?   

[Krista]

Ava, Addison, Ella, Emily, Sophia, Heather, and Sara have always been my favorite girl names.  It was fascinating to see Mary hold on for so long, I've always liked the name.

 

Richard and Robert were in the top 10 forever, which explains my in-laws. Those two names are the most passed down names they have going for them. 

 

In boys, I've always liked the traditional names like, Johnathan, Jacob, Daniel, William, Henry, and James.. I guess the most new-ish is Aiden, Hunter, Jackson, and Craig

 

It was also interesting to see pop culture and historical faces playing on names as well. Taking the place of biblical names at times. 

 

The girls are seeing a resurgence of older names, which is good. The boys on the other hand are getting more new age and creative. I wonder if they'll swap in the next couple of decades.

Edited October 13, 2016 by Krista

[Canuk]

I don't think I've ever met a guy in his 60's running around with the name "Jeremy."

 

.

Perhaps not in the US, but I was at school ( 60s-70s) in Australiawith at least one Jeremy( hard to actually recall first names from school, for some reason we all call each other by either nick names or surnames)

 

Also the actor jeremy Northam (uk) must be late-ish 50s by now.

 

So on that unimpeachable comprehensive sample,sorry, Jeremy, you are not as unique as you hoped!

[Canuk]

I'd be interested to see this with middle names, since there are a handful that are ridiculously common and then there are a bunch of weird one. In one class in high school, we saw a list of everyone's names and all the girls, except one, had one of two middle names.

Boys middle names in my family have been the same for 5 generations. So no "fashion" there!

 

The girls tend to take their maternal grandmothers first name as their middle name.

 

No idea why...

Edited October 13, 2016 by Canuk

[methodwriter85]

Perhaps not in the US, but I was at school ( 60s-70s) in Australiawith at least one Jeremy( hard to actually recall first names from school, for some reason we all call each other by either nick names or surnames)

 

Also the actor jeremy Northam (uk) must be late-ish 50s by now.

 

So on that unimpeachable comprehensive sample,sorry, Jeremy, you are not as unique as you hoped!

 

LOL. I'm 30- the point is that would be more unique if I was a guy born in the 1940's or 1950's with that name. It might be different outside of the U.S. Jeremy peaked as a baby name in the 1970's and 1980's, which translates to meaning that most guys with that name will be in their 30's or 40's.

 

I did actually run into an 11-year old boy last night with my name. Go figure. LOL.

Edited October 13, 2016 by methodwriter85

[Arpeggio]

There were a few Laceys in my high school. I was the only boy though.

[Ashi]

LOL. I'm 30- the point is that would be more unique if I was a guy born in the 1940's or 1950's with that name. It might be different outside of the U.S. Jeremy peaked as a baby name in the 1970's and 1980's, which translates to meaning that most guys with that name will be in their 30's or 40's.

 

I did actually run into an 11-year old boy last night with my name. Go figure. LOL.

 

I knew at least two Jereme's (they spelled their names with e at the end), but then I am older....  It's a nice name.  I think one of the Jerry back in high school was actually a Jereme/y. 

 

And the boys' names for my birth year is about right....  Lots of Michaels when I was in high school.  Several Erics/Eriks, tons of Chris's.  Robert, William, John, etc. are perennials.  I do like the name Josh a lot.

 

A classmate was called Kelly and remember that was back when Married with Children was popular, and Christina Applegate's character was "Kelley."  I wonder how he liked his name.  He was painfully shy, talked only with his coy smile sparkled with braces.  Though I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out gay and grew up to be a major bae now, because I just can see it!  Behind that fugly hairdo, he had very nice features.

[Lux Apollo]

I find it fascinating that the arrival of general internet access coincides with a diversification of names - no 10-20 names completely dominate the field by the late 2000's.

[Solivagant]

How interesting! I thank you for sharing.