What's in a name? A clich?? Certainly! But it is meaningful just the same. Those of us who have brought children into this world, for the most part, spend a lot of time selecting what we think, or hope, will be that perfect name for our children – names that will be respected for all time. Sometimes we name our children after ourselves. Other times, we decide to name our offspring after their grandparents. Still, other times, couples will decide to honor famous athletes, television or big screen stars. No matter our motives, the fact of the matter is that our children need a name. Whether people like the choice or not, in most cases, the choice will be for life. Frank or Freda? Ashley or Anthony? Jim or Jane? Whatever they may by ... What's in a name? And, as a society, what are we choosing these days? Cleveland Evans is a professor at Bellevue University in Nebraska has told us. He is also president of the American Names Society. He keeps up with the trends and monitors the changes and, in cases with the top female names lately, what doesn't change. The Social Security Administration recently shared the most common names for boys and girls with the Associated Press.
Those who keep up with the trends will find that there is not much of a surprise among baby girls, as Evans indicates: 1) Emily 2) Emma 3) Madison 4) Abigail 5) Olivia 6) Isabella 7) Hannah 8) Samantha 9) Ava 10) Ashley Evans says that 'Emily' has topped the list for the last 10 years. Too, the second and third name, Emma and Madison, respectively, did not change from last year's list. “The whole question was whether Emma was going to beat out Emily this time,” Evans told The Associated Press. There was a change, though. The name 'Ava' was new to the list at No. 9. The story there is, perhaps, what a huge climb that name made in the last 15 or so years. The SSA rated Ava No. 952 in 1990. While the top girls' names have not changed in a decade, the boys' list did not have a change again this year. The top three names remain the same, according to the SSA. And biblical names continue to be prominent: 1) Jacob 2) Michael 3) Joshua 4) Matthew 5) Ethan 6) Andrew 7) Daniel 8) Anthony 9) Christopher 10) Joseph 'Anthony' was new to the list at No. 8. And what about pair? What do new-to-be parents decide to do about twins? According to the SSA: 1) Jacob with Joshua 2) Matthew with Michael 3) Daniel with David 4) Hope with Faith So, have fun. Whether you are planning your own family, or you just want to keep up with what is hot, or not, check out these lists. How do your tastes stack up? And, what's in a name? By Marc G. Auber
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