Here are the results of the 2013 pop culture baby name game!
But I’m writing them up a bit differently this year — I’m only focusing on 20 big winners.
How did I choose these 20? First, I eliminated all the names that didn’t see increased usage in 2013. Then I eliminated the names that saw relatively small increases in usage. Then I eliminated the names that saw more or less expected increases in usage, given their trajectories.
That left me with about 20 names that became more popular in 2013 due mainly (in some cases entirely) to pop culture influence.
The links will take you to popularity graphs.
1. Jace
- Increase: +1,649 baby boys (4,692 to 6,341) and +8 baby girls (36 to 44).
- Inspiration: “Duck Dynasty” character Jason “Jase” Robertson.
- Even more impressive, the name Jase increased +3,410 and +13.
2. Lincoln
- Increase: +1,112 baby boys (2,898 to 4,010) and +28 baby girls (33 to 61).
- Inspiration: The film Lincoln (2012).
3. Ariana
- Increase: +816 baby girls (3,568 to 4,384).
- Inspiration: Singer/actress Ariana Grande.
- 4,384 baby girls is a new all-time high for Ariana. The previous high was 4,322 baby girls in 2007.
4. Everly
- Increase: +517 baby girls (287 to 804).
- Inspiration: Celebrity baby Everly, daughter of Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.
5. Kendrick
- Increase: +472 baby boys (570 to 1,042).
- Inspiration: Rapper Kendrick Lamar.
- 1,042 baby boys is a new all-time high for Kendrick. The previous high was 763 baby boys in 1991.
6. Milan
- Increase: +333 baby boys (151 to 484) and +89 baby girls (382 to 471).
- Inspiration: Celebrity baby Milan, son of Shakira and Gerard Pique.
7. George
- Increase: +194 baby boys (2,328 to 2,522).
- Inspiration: Royal baby George, son of Prince William and Kate Middleton.
8. Francis
- Increase: +101 baby boys (429 to 530) and +13 baby girls (44 to 57).
- Inspiration: The election of Pope Francis.
- Even more impressive, the name Francisco increased +125.
9. Bruno
- Increase: +91 baby boys (284 to 375).
- Inspiration: Singer Bruno Mars.
- 375 baby boys is a new all-time high for Bruno. The previous high was 353 in 1916.
10. Paul
- Increase: +78 baby boys (1,939 to 2,017).
- Inspiration: The death of actor Paul Walker.
- Walker saw an even bigger increase (+128) but I thought Paul’s rise was more compelling as it went against a decades-long decline in usage.
11. Robin
- Increase: +48 baby boys (104 to 152).
- Inspiration: Singer Robin Thicke.
12. Diamond
- Increase: +41 baby girls (345 to 386).
- Inspiration: Rihanna song “Diamonds” (2012).
13. Wendy
- Increase: +37 baby girls (357 to 394).
- Inspiration: Texas politician Wendy Davis.
- I’m dying to see how much of Wendy’s increase can be attributed to Texas specifically. The SSA’s state lists haven’t been updated yet, though.
14. Nori
- Increase: +18 baby girls (11 to 29).
- Inspiration: Celebrity baby “Nori” (North), daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.
- 29 baby girls is a new high for Nori. The previous high was 20 in 2009.
15. Primrose
- Increase: +17 baby girls (17 to 34).
- Inspiration: Hunger Games (2012) character Primrose Everdeen.
- Prim, a nickname for Primrose, debuted with 7 baby girls.
16. Marnie
- Increase: +14 baby girls (13 to 27).
- Inspiration: “Girls” character Marnie Michaels.
17. Rainbow
- Increase: +9 baby girls (7 to 16).
- Inspiration: Celebrity baby Rainbow, daughter of Holly Madison and Pasquale Rotella.
18. Kitai
- Debuted with 16 baby boys.
- Inspiration: After Earth (2013) character Kitai Raige.
- Cypher, the name of another After Earth character, increased +4.
19. Sansa
- Debuted with 11 baby girls.
- Inspiration: “Game of Thrones” character Sansa Stark.
20. Malala
- Debuted with 9 baby girls.
- Inspiration: Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai.
Did any of the above surprise you?