Patches of Names

The tenth century marked the dawn of the Holy Roman Empire, debuting the German monarchy. The first German ruler had the German name of Otto.  Otto began as a medieval diminutive of German names starting with "od" or "ot," meaning "wealth" or "fortune." Otto the Great was one of the name's earliest known bearers. The eleventh-century Saint Otto of Bamberg followed. Plus, he was in moderate use in Italy during the Renaissance, ranking #347 in 1427.  Otto was very popular as a name in nineteenth century America. He ranked in the U.S. Top 100 through the 1890s and the top 200 through the 1910s. He then dropped out of the top 1000 in 1975. During Otto's decline in America, he became more common in other nations. He was popular in Germany through the 1920s, during the 1940s in Norway, and in the Czech Republic through the 1970s.  After hitting his lowest usage of 45 babies in 1984, Otto began his American revival. He returned to the top 1000 i...

Theodore is a timeless classic that was popular through the early twentieth century and is popular again today. Perhaps it is now close to the top 20. Thus, plenty of families would find it too common. Besides its traditional style, Theodore's appealing factors include its connections to saints, elaborate structure, accessible nicknames like "Teddy" and "Theo", and ties to many classic stories.  If Theodore is too popular for you, consider these names instead: Abraham (#201)-Classic Abraham was never too common, but it still has Theodore's style and "r" sound. Several saints and fictional characters have answered to the name. Plus, as Theodore is to former President Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham connects to Abraham Lincoln. Thus, these names go hand-in-hand. It works as both a brother name and alternative to Theodore.  Benedict (unranked)-Benedict is as classic as Theodore with accessible nicknames "Ben" and "Dick". Benedict also ...

Yesterday the Social Security Administration released the new name data. I was sure it was going to happen before Mother's Day as it usually does. Yet, since they delayed the announcement to September last year, part of me felt like it was going to be that way from now on. It turns out that we've gone back to normal, though.  No new names have entered the girls' top 10. Yet, my predictions for Olivia, Charlotte, Sophia, Amelia, and Isabella turned out to be correct. However, Ava did not outrank Emma, Evelyn rose to #9 instead of leaving, and Harper dropped to #10 instead of rising to #8. For the boys' names, Henry and Alexander returned to the top 10, replacing Mason and Ethan. Unlike the girls' names, I guessed fewer positions correctly: Liam, Elijah, and Henry. Oliver did not outrank Noah, William still outranks James, and Benjamin still outranks Lucas.  For the girls' top 100, there were five newcomers: Brielle, Jade, Everleigh, Leilani, and Natalia. Brielle ...

I just predicted the new top 100 girls' names. Now, let's move on to the boys' names. These are the names I think will leave the top 100: Adam (#90)-Adam is a timeless classic that is associated with the first man mentioned in the Bible. However, after nearly fifty years in the top 100, Adam deserves some rest. It dropped eleven spots between 2018 and 2019, too. Falling eleven more spots would put it in the 100s.  Evan (#96)-Evan is a classic variation of John along with Jack. Yet, while Jack is rising, Evan is falling. Rhyming names Kevin and Devin are already out of favor, so it only makes sense for Evan to leave the top 100. Kayden (#97)-The "ayden" names dominated the 2000s yet started falling in the 2010s. The 2020s might mark the end of all "ayden" names, including Kayden.  Parker (#98)-While Parker is becoming more common for girls, it's falling in use for boys. By the time Parker, if ever, becomes a top 100 girls' staple, it will be out o...

With the new name data coming out this Friday, I have recently predicted the top 100 names for both genders. Today, I will start with the girls' names.  Here are the names I think will leave the top 100 in 2020: Adeline  (#91)-Even though it only entered the top 100 in 2016, parents might move on from the 2010s "Addie"-name trend now that it's a new decade. Plus, it dropped from #78 to #91 in 2019. Addison, the other popular "Addie" name, is also declining.  Madeline (#97)-The 2020s might be the end of the "Maddie" craze, too. Madeline has been in the top 100 since 1994 and peaked way back in 1998. Thus, it might finally be time for Madeline to go.  Peyton (#98)-It reentered the top 100 in 2019, but it also fell slightly in use. Thus, it only makes sense for Peyton to leave the top 100.  Julia (#99)-Julia is a timeless classic that will always work. Yet, after almost forty years on top, Julia is heading out.  Rylee (#100)-This is just a trendy re-s...

We have reached the contemporary era of naming boys. Changes 2010 Left: Brian, Sean, Kyle, Miguel Entered: Bentley, Jaxon, Max, Jaden 2011 Left: Eric, Aidan, Bryan Entered: Bryson, Grayson, Nolan 2012 Left: Jesus, Cole, Max, Hayden, Diego, Jaden Entered: Ryder, Damian, Kayden, Easton, Hudson, Jace 2013 Left: Bryson, Ryder, Carlos, Alex Entered: Camden, Lincoln, Jaxson, Jase 2014 Left: Camden, Damian, Jase Entered: Leo, Ryder, Asher 2015 Left: Tristan, Brody, Luis, Justin, Juan Entered: Elias, Theodore, Sawyer, Ezra, Mateo 2016 Left: Kayden, Ryder, Nathaniel, Blake Entered: Roman, Greyson, Leonardo, Bryson 2017 Left: Kevin, Bentley, Zachary, Tyler, Brandon Entered: Jameson, Kayden, Santiago, Maverick, Ezekiel 2018 Left: Ayden, Gavin, Chase Entered: Miles, Everett, Axel 2019 Left: Brayden, Bryson, Jason, Sawyer Entered: Kai, Wesley, Declan, Luca Movement Jaxon, Grayson, Nolan, Kayden, Easton, Hudson, Jace, Lincoln, Jaxson, Asher, Elias, Ezra, Mateo, Roman, Greyson, Leonardo, Jameson, San...

Retro names feel a bit dated, but are still usable. This being said, they have peaked within the top 200 lists in the English-speaking world 25-74 years ago and have been used for at least 50 years. Here are some examples: GIRLS' NAMES: Candice (unranked)-Though it peaked at #78 in 1982, Candice still sounds like a teenage girl-think Candice from Disney's Phineas and Ferb . Yet, Candice also still wears well on a child.  Desiree (unranked)-Desiree emerged after a movie of the same name in the 1950s, reaching its peak of #95 in 1983. Even though it has since fallen in use, Desiree still feels perfectly wearable.  Meredith (#577)-Meredith peaked at #140 in 1980 and 1981. Yet, Meredith has also ranked since 1910 and has never peaked sharply. Meredith sounds like an alternative to Natalie via its three-syllable structure with the mid-"d" sound.  Nicola (unranked)-When it ranked between 1968 and 1978, Nicola was very far from the top 200. However, Nicola was a popular name...