Wondering, "What were the most popular girl baby names in 2009?" Each year, the Social Security Administration releases data on baby names for all births in the United States. In 2009, the most popular girls' baby name was "Isabella;" the most popular boys' baby name was "Jacob."
Social Security Administration's Most Popular Names for Girls in 2009
In 2009, the 10 most popular baby names for girls were as follows:
- Isabella
- Emma
- Olivia
- Sophia
- Ava
- Emily
- Madison
- Abigail
- Chloe
- Mia
The top 10 girls' names list has remained fairly constant over the past several years. In 2007, the most common name for girls was "Emily," followed by "Isabella" and "Emma." In 2008, the most popular name was "Emma," with "Isabella" in the number two spot and "Emily" in the number three spot.
In 2009, the 10 most popular names for twin girls were:
- Isabella and Sophia
- Faith and Hope
- Olivia and Sophia
- Ella and Emma
- Hailey and Hannah
- Ava and Emma
- Heaven and Nevaeh
- Madison and Morgan
- MacKenzie and Madison
- Ava and Olivia
The most popular names for boy and girl twins were "Madison" and "Mason"; "Taylor" and "Tyler"; followed by "Addison" and "Aiden."
History of 2009's Most Popular Baby Names for Girls – "Isabella," "Emma" and "Olivia"
The top three most common girls' names – "Isabella," "Emma" and "Olivia" – only recently became popular. The three most common baby names, along with other top 10 names like "Emily" and "Sophia" were all fairly popular between 1900 and 1920, so it appears that "old fashioned" names continue to appeal to today's parents.
According to the Social Security popular name data, "Isabella" wasn't among the 1,000 most common names between 1949 and 1989. But then, in beginning in the 1990s, "Isabella" saw a significant rise in popularity.
Here's a look at the rise of the current most popular baby name, "Isabella," according to Social Security Administration records. The numbers in the right-hand column indicate the name's ranking in terms of popularity in the United States:
- 1990 – 895
- 1991 – 698
- 1992 – 488
- 1993 – 319
- 1994 – 222
- 1995 – 174
- 1996 – 152
- 1997 – 114
- 1998 – 84
- 1999 – 60
"Isabella" was a moderately popular name for baby girls who were born in the early 1900s; it was ranked 290th most popular in 1900 and 310th in 1910.
"Emma" has been among the Social Security Administration's top 10 most common names for girls since 2002. In 1992, it was the 104th most popular name and in 1982, it was in the 411th position. Notably, "Emma" was a popular name around the turn of the century; it was the 13th most popular name in 1900; it remained among the 50 most popular girls' names through 1920.
Similar trends can be seen for "Olivia," which was the third most popular name for baby girls in 2009. "Olivia" became a fairly common baby name in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was the 248th most popular girls' name in 1985; by 1990, "Olivia" had made it into the top 100 list, holding strong at position 72.
The Social Security name data indicates that "Olivia" last saw popularity during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Changes in the Top Baby Girls' Names List – "Elizabeth" and "Mia"
This new list reflects several changes from the Social Security names list for 2008. "Elizabeth" has dropped off the top ten list, but if the trends of the past 100 years hold true, this name won't see a significant decrease in popularity anytime in the near future. Since 1960, the name "Elizabeth" has been among the top 20 most common names for girls. According to the Social Security Administration's baby name data, "Elizabeth" decreased in popularity during the 1940s, dipping to a low point at position 26 in 1945 and 1948.
"Mia" has become an increasingly common baby name. "Mia" rose in popularity, making the top 10 list for the first time ever in 2009. The name "Mia" has steadily increased in popularity over the past 20 years. In 1982, "Mia" was the 415th most popular name; in 1990, it was at 341 and in 2000, "Mia" made it onto the top 100 most common names list (ranked 93rd), according to the Social Security Administration.
The Social Security Administration's Most Popular Name Data
The Social Security name data is gathered from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The name information is obtained from Social Security card applications.
Info on the popularity of baby names is only available dating back to 1879. It's important to note that data from 1937 and earlier is incomplete, as "many people born before 1937 never applied for a Social Security card, so their names are not included..."
The Social Security Administration's website features an array of useful baby name info, listed by year, decade and by state/U.S. territory. Expecting parents can also search the popularity of individual baby names. There's even a tool that enables soon-to-be parents of multiples to view popular baby names for twins, including female twins, male twins and male/female twins.
Wondering about the most popular baby names for boys? In 2009, the top three most common boys' names were "Jacob," "Ethan" and "Michael."
Expecting parents may also want to read about The Most Popular Girl Baby Names in 2008 and The Most Popular Baby Names for Girls in 2007.
Wondering if it's a boy or a girl? Learn about Baby Gender Tests for Pregnant Women: How to Tell if it's a Boy or a Girl With Early Gender Prediction Tests.
Also, read Myths on How to Choose Baby Gender along with Can You Choose Baby's Gender?
Source:
Social Security Administration Website. Popular Baby Names (retrieved July 4, 2010).
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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