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Popularity of the baby name Brees


Posts that mention the name Brees

Popular and unique baby names in each U.S. state, 2021

USA topographic map

Which baby names were the most popular in each U.S. state in 2021?

And which names appeared in the data for just one state last year?

Here are all the answers! (Any unique name that also popped up in last year’s post is in boldface.)

Alabama

  • Alabama’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Alabama’s top boy name: William
  • Alabama’s 9 unique girl names: Crimson, Dominga, Cailyn, Carrington, Embree, Jabria, Jaloni, Kassidi, Petrona
    • The University of Alabama’s football team is called the Crimson Tide (after one of the team colors).
  • Alabama’s 6 unique boy names: Courtney, Wheeler, Kyser, Kemoni, Kharter, Khazi

Alaska

  • Alaska’s top girl name: Amelia
  • Alaska’s top boy name: Noah
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Arizona

  • Arizona’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Arizona’s top boy name: Liam
  • Arizona’s 4 unique girl names: Ariza, Aolanis, Graciella, Nizhoni (from the Navajo word nizhóní, meaning “beautiful” or “nice”)
  • Arizona’s 1 unique boy name: Luisfernando

Arkansas

  • Arkansas’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Arkansas’s top boy name: Liam & Oliver (tie)
  • No unique girl names.
  • Arkansas’s 2 unique boy name: Aycen, Jadyn

California

  • California’s top girl name: Olivia
  • California’s top boy name: Noah
  • California’s top 10 unique girl names: Avni, Jasleen, Mehar, Cyra, Metztli, Quetzalli, Alitzel, Nara, Yadira, Aneliz (total of 526)
  • California’s top 10 unique boy names: Narek, Armen, Ekam, Yasiel, Caesar, Arya, Daksh, Gavino, Artur, Esaias (total of 382)

Colorado

  • Colorado’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Colorado’s top boy name: Liam
  • No unique girl names.
  • Colorado’s 1 unique boy name: Angelito

Connecticut

  • Connecticut’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Connecticut’s top boy name: Noah
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Delaware

  • Delaware’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • Delaware’s top boy name: Liam & Noah (tie)
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

District of Columbia

  • D.C.’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • D.C.’s top boy name: Henry
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Florida

  • Florida’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Florida’s top boy name: Liam
  • Florida’s top 10 unique girl names: Keisha, Abigaelle, Alanys, Maiah, Anyeli, Breeze, Elianys, Alis, Anthonella, Calani (total of 104)
  • Florida’s top 10 unique boy names: Marvens, Fabio, Dayron, Janiel, Piero, Tafari, Yoan, Dany, Fritz, Jahmiel (total of 76)

Georgia

  • Georgia’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Georgia’s top boy name: Noah
  • Georgia’s top 10 unique girl names: Choyce, Khori, Raylan, Destini, Kayli, Khaleah, Kylani, Tyanna, Alaura, Alonni (total of 29)
  • Georgia’s top 10 unique boy names: Chauncey, Theron, Amiris, Demoni, Harden, Horace, Jakori, Makel, Nolyn, Oryan (total of 28)

Hawaii

  • Hawaii’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Hawaii’s top boy name: Noah
    • #2 on the boys’ list was the Hawaiian name Kai (meaning “sea”).
  • Hawaii’s 5 unique girl names: Lilinoe, Alohi, Kelia, Mahealani, Tehani
  • Hawaii’s 10 unique boy names: Kainalu, Ryzen, Kaikoa, Kamaehu, Rusty, Ikaia, Kawika, Kupaa, Kahekili, Kealii

Idaho

  • Idaho’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Idaho’s top boy name: Oliver
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Illinois

  • Illinois’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Illinois’s top boy name: Noah
  • Illinois’s top 10 unique girl names: Aasiya, Monika, Novi, Taniyah, Braya, Jaia, Jori, Milica, Ainslee, Charolette (total of 20)
  • Illinois’s top 10 unique boy names: Vuk, Damario, Krystian, Lazar, Lukasz, Dakhari, Dontrell, Ferris, Georgios, Kainen (total of 15)

Indiana

  • Indiana’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • Indiana’s top boy name: Liam
  • Indiana’s 5 unique girl names: Gatlin, Theodosia, Delainey, Kimberlynn, Maevis
  • Indiana’s 8 unique boy names: Oaklyn, Hendricks, Jamin, Kenlin, Kurtis, Oslo, Quenton, Rhyker

Iowa

  • Iowa’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • Iowa’s top boy name: Oliver
  • Iowa’s 1 unique girl name: Maize
  • Iowa’s 2 unique boy names: Kinnick, Cael
    • The University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium was named after 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick.

Kansas

  • Kansas’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Kansas’s top boy name: Liam
  • Kansas’s 1 unique girl name: Breckyn
  • No unique boy names.

Kentucky

  • Kentucky’s top girl name: Emma
  • Kentucky’s top boy name: Liam
  • Kentucky’s 3 unique girl names: Averleigh, Caraline, Crosley
  • Kentucky’s 1 unique boy name: Enos

Louisiana

  • Louisiana’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Louisiana’s top boy name: Liam
  • Louisiana’s top 10 unique girl names: Amyri, Damani, Jai, Jersei, Krislynn, Cailee, Jacelyn, Jeanne, Kaileigh, Kelsi (total of 11)
  • Louisiana’s top 10 unique boy names: Acen, Kullen, Kamauri, Taylon, Brees, Jakyrie, Cayman, Gabe, Kendal, Tyquan (total of 11)
    • QB Drew Brees played football for the New Orleans Saints for most of his career.

Maine

  • Maine’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • Maine’s top boy name: Oliver
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Maryland

  • Maryland’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Maryland’s top boy name: Liam
  • Maryland’s 2 unique girl names: Edyn, Harlym
  • Maryland’s 4 unique boy names: Tavon, Edvin, Dyson, Rahim

Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Massachusetts’s top boy name: Noah
  • Massachusetts’s 8 unique girl names: Heloisa, Mariaalice, Aleysha, Aine, Anaclara, Analiz, Eloah, Vitoria
  • Massachusetts’s 2 unique boy names: Heitor, Jayvien

Michigan

  • Michigan’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • Michigan’s top boy name: Noah
  • Michigan’s top 10 unique girl names: Raneem, Zahraa, Areej, Kateri, Maizee, Renad, Zeinab, Brazil, Hayat, Kamyra (total of 17)
  • Michigan’s top 10 unique boy names: Ameir, Haidar, Chet, Delano, Nasser, Adian, Amr, Auston, Blade, Chip (total of 23)

Minnesota

  • Minnesota’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • Minnesota’s top boy name: Oliver
  • Minnesota’s top 10 unique girl names: Anzal, Rayan, Maryama, Adna, Ahlam, Afnan, Britta, Nawal, Hamdi, Ikhlas (total of 27)
    • Also on the list: Solveig, Signe, Sigrid, Solvi
  • Minnesota’s top 10 unique boy names: Akram, Ayub, Mohamedamin, Mubashir, Suhayb, Mubarak, Nels, Amaar, Eh, Muzamil (total of 18)

Mississippi

  • Mississippi’s top girl name: Ava
  • Mississippi’s top boy name: William
  • Mississippi’s 2 unique girl names: Chyna, Caisley
  • Mississippi’s 1 unique boy name: Swayze

Missouri

  • Missouri’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Missouri’s top boy name: Oliver
  • Missouri’s 7 unique girl names: Brenley, Damiya, Jozie, Kamori, Ramiyah, Renleigh, Saloma
  • Missouri’s 2 unique boy names: Jansen, Lexton

Montana

  • Montana’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Montana’s top boy name: Oliver
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Nebraska

  • Nebraska’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Nebraska’s top boy name: Henry
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Nevada

  • Nevada’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Nevada’s top boy name: Liam
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

New Hampshire

  • New Hampshire’s top girl name: Olivia
  • New Hampshire’s top boy name: Oliver
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

New Jersey

  • New Jersey’s top girl name: Olivia
  • New Jersey’s top boy name: Liam
  • New Jersey’s top 10 unique girl names: Gittel, Leeba, Shulamis, Tzivia, Leba, Anny, Naimal, Viha, Adeena, Anshika (total of 18)
  • New Jersey’s top 10 unique boy names: Avrohom, Boruch, Zalman, Laksh, Moksh, Nachum, Nicolo, Aras, Mina, Aarvik (total of 21)

New Mexico

  • New Mexico’s top girl name: Mia
  • New Mexico’s top boy name: Noah
  • New Mexico’s 1 unique girl name: Azriella
  • No unique boy names.

New York

  • New York’s top girl name: Olivia
  • New York’s top boy name: Liam
  • New York’s top 10 unique girl names: Gitty, Malky, Chany, Esty, Goldy, Pessy, Shifra, Perel, Frady, Shaindel (total of 184)
  • New York’s top 10 unique boy names: Mendel, Lipa, Simcha, Shmiel, Usher, Yechiel, Avrum, Cheskel, Naftuli, Yossi (total of 180)

North Carolina

  • North Carolina’s top girl name: Olivia
  • North Carolina’s top boy name: Liam
  • North Carolina’s top 10 unique girl names: Lawson, Barrett, Favor, Omni, Tailynn, Arlynn, Blessin, Brelynn, Ellanor, Jorja (total of 17)
  • North Carolina’s top 10 unique boy names: Nylan, Nymir, Sampson, Whitaker, Avett, Finan, Jalil, Jaycion, Nyzir, Walton (total of 22)

North Dakota

  • North Dakota’s top girl name: Olivia
  • North Dakota’s top boy name: Oliver
  • No unique girl names.
  • North Dakota’s 1 unique boy name: Dekker

Ohio

  • Ohio’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Ohio’s top boy name: Oliver
  • Ohio’s top 10 unique girl names: Larkyn, Mahayla, Graylynn, Keturah, Kierra, Royce, Samya, Alura, Amauri, Callahan (total of 26)
  • Ohio’s top 10 unique boy names: Jyaire, Marquan, Aayush, Bakari, Jibril, Masen, Pryor, Davonte, Gavyn, Jensyn (total of 19)

Oklahoma

  • Oklahoma’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Oklahoma’s top boy name: Liam
  • Oklahoma’s 3 unique girl names: Dim, Kodie, Copelyn
  • Oklahoma’s 4 unique boy names: Thang, Creedence, Creek, Hesston

Oregon

  • Oregon’s top girl name: Evelyn
  • Oregon’s top boy name: Oliver
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Pennsylvania

  • Pennsylvania’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Pennsylvania’s top boy name: Noah
  • Pennsylvania’s top 10 unique girl names: Barbie, Rosanna, Maryann, Suhana, Suzanne, Verna, Kirsten, Surah, Auriella, Avionna (total of 26)
  • Pennsylvania’s top 10 unique boy names: Benuel, Arlan, Asir, Noor, Sylvan, Menno, Munir, Sahir, Atlee, Glendon (total of 26)

Rhode Island

  • Rhode Island’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Rhode Island’s top boy name: Liam
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

South Carolina

  • South Carolina’s top girl name: Olivia
  • South Carolina’s top boy name: William
  • South Carolina’s 3 unique girl names: Britton, Jamaica, Kansas
  • South Carolina’s 4 unique boy names: Bowman, Jos, Holston, Kyland

South Dakota

  • South Dakota’s top girl name: Evelyn
  • South Dakota’s top boy name: Henry
  • South Dakota’s 1 unique girl name: Kimimila (from the Lakota word kimímila, meaning “butterfly”)
  • No unique boy names.

Tennessee

  • Tennessee’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Tennessee’s top boy name: William
  • Tennessee’s top 10 unique girl names: Callaway, Declan, Kaniya, Khloee, Serayah, Amellia, Annlee, Darcie, Jamyah, Joanie (total of 12)
  • Tennessee’s 10 unique boy names: Neyland, Karas, Kerolos, Philopateer, Calloway, Dejuan, Ryman, Timber, Walt, Wright
    • The University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium was named after former athletic director/coach Robert Neyland.
    • Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry for several decades, was named after Nashville businessman Thomas Ryman.

Texas

  • Texas’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Texas’s top boy name: Liam
  • Texas’s top 10 unique girl names: Darianna, Katalyna, Devany, Laramie, Mariafernanda, Jayci, Jessalyn, Justyce, Naidelyn, Naydelin (total of 473)
    • Also on the list: Abilene, Tulsa
  • Texas’s top 10 unique boy names: Roel, Brazos, Pete, Eliud, Priest, Rhyder, Homero, Reymundo, Zamarion, Eider (total of 280)
    • Also on the list: Rebel, Tex, Texas, Augie
    • Brazos (“arms” in Spanish) is both a river and county in Texas.

Utah

  • Utah’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Utah’s top boy name: Oliver
  • Utah’s 9 unique girl names: Scotland, Alta, Swayzee, Bentlee, Quincey, Quincee, Reggie, Scotty, Swayzie
  • Utah’s 9 unique boy names: Ammon, Dallin, Talmage, Taft, Griffey, Korver, Oaks, Rexton, Treysen
    • Dallin H. Oaks is one of the leaders of the LDS Church.

Vermont

  • Vermont’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • Vermont’s top boy name: Henry
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Virginia

  • Virginia’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • Virginia’s top boy name: Liam
  • Virginia’s 6 unique girl names: Heba, Husna, Yemariam, Yohanna, Aamirah, Jena
  • Virginia’s 5 unique boy names: Ezana, Barkon, Malakhai, Raekwon, Walid

Washington

  • Washington’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Washington’s top boy name: Liam
  • Washington’s 7 unique girl names: Ellinor, Azaylia, Baby, Dempsey, Khamila, Ravenna, Solomia
    • Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood was named after Ravenna, Italy.
  • Washington’s 6 unique boy names: Amnen, Dashel, Ole, Sven, Tor, Vihan

West Virginia

  • West Virginia’s top girl name: Amelia
  • West Virginia’s top boy name: Liam
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Wisconsin

  • Wisconsin’s top girl name: Charlotte
  • Wisconsin’s top boy name: Oliver
  • Wisconsin’s 2 unique girl names: Rosetta, Alona
  • Wisconsin’s 2 unique boy names: Cylas, Dameir

Wyoming

  • Wyoming’s top girl name: Olivia
  • Wyoming’s top boy name: Oliver
  • No unique girl names.
  • No unique boy names.

Many of the unique names above can be attributed to large religious/ethnic groups within particular states, such as the Jews in New York/New Jersey, the Mormons in Utah, the Somali in Minnesota, and the Amish in Pennsylvania.

Source: Popular Names by State – SSA

Image (USATopographicalMap) by NOAA

Quotes about animal and pet names

sloth

From an article about a baby two-toed sloth at the London Zoo:

Keepers have named the young male Edward after Johnny Depp’s famous character, Edward Scissorhands, due to his impressive claws – which will grow up to four inches in length and enable him to cling on and climb easily through the tree-top branches of his Rainforest Life home.

From an Orion Magazine article about an octopus named Athena:

I was struck by this, since Murphy and others had first described Athena’s personality to me as “feisty.” “They earn their names,” Murphy had told me. Athena is named for the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, and strategy. She is not usually a laid-back octopus, like George had been. “Athena could pull you into the tank,” Murphy had warned. “She’s curious about what you are.”

From a LIFE article about Ham, the First Chimpanzee in Space:

The most famous of all the Mercury chimps, due to his landmark January 1961 flight, Ham was actually not publicly called Ham until after the flight succeeded. The name by which he’s now known — an acronym for Holloman Aerospace Medical Center at the Air Force base — was only widely used when he returned safely to earth; NASA reportedly wanted to avoid bad publicity should a named (and thus a known, publicly embraced) animal be killed; all the Mercury chimps were known by numbers.

From “Maine”s GOP governor, veto record-holder, names new dog Veto” in The Seattle Times:

Republican Gov. Paul LePage, the state’s all-time veto champion, has named his new dog Veto.

LePage, who has earned renown for exercising his veto pen on bills he didn’t like, adopted a Jack Russell terrier mix from a shelter.

[…]

LePage chose the name Veto because his pet “is the mascot of good public policy, defender of the Maine people and protector of hardworking taxpayers from bad legislation,” his spokesman Peter Steele said.

Steele joked that the governor is going to train the dog to deliver vetoes from his office to legislative leaders.

From an AP News article about a baby deer named after a K-pop star:

Fans of the K-pop group NCT 127 donated money in January to name a baby pudu at the Los Angeles Zoo after one of its members, Haechan (HECH’-ehn). This week, the human Haechan got to meet his namesake, snapping selfies with the little deer at his enclosure.

From an article about the trendiness of giving human names to pets in The Atlantic:

Long, long ago — five years, to be precise — Jeff Owens accepted that his calls to the vet would tax his fortitude. When the person on the other end asks his name, Owens, a test scorer in Albuquerque, says, “Jeff.” When they ask for his cat’s name, he has to tell them, “Baby Jeff.” The black exotic shorthair, a wheezy female with a squashed face and soulful orange eyes, is named for Owens, says his partner, Brittany Means, whose tweet about Jeff and Baby Jeff went viral this past spring. The whole thing started as a joke several years ago, when Means started calling every newcomer to their home — the car, the couch — “Baby Jeff.” Faced with blank adoption paperwork in 2017, the couple realized that only one name would do.

Flag of California
Flag of California

From an article about the bear on the California state flag:

Hearst put the bear on display [in 1889] in Golden Gate Park and named him Monarch. At more than 1,200 pounds, Monarch was the largest bear ever held captive.

[…]

Taking a cue from the Sonoma revolt in 1846 [after which a flag featuring a bear was created to represent the captured region], the state again decided to make the California Grizzly the flag’s focal point. Only this time they wanted a bear that actually looked like a bear.

Illustrators used the recently deceased Monarch as the model for the bear on our state flag.

(Newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst took the name “Monarch” from the tagline of the San Francisco Examiner, the “Monarch of the Dailies.”)

About Pigcasso, a 450-pound painting pig in South Africa with a great name:

She’s fat, friendly and fabulous! Meet Pigcasso – the fine swine who was rescued from the brink of extinction at a South African pig ‘farm’. From pork chop to hog heaven, she loves the sweet things in life: Eat. Sleep. Eat. Repeat. She also loves to paint – and that’s no hogwash! Pigcasso’s primary purpose? To paint a better picture for farm animals.

(Titles of Pigcasso’s paintings include Grin, Vitality, Rockstar, and Brexit.)

From the description of a mid-2020 video released by the Australian Reptile Park of New South Wales:

We have a very special announcement… Our very first koala of the season has popped out of Mums pouch to say hello!

Keepers have decided to name her Ash! Ash is the first koala born at the park since the tragic Australian bushfires and is a sign of hope for the future of Australia’s native wildlife.

From an article about dog names in New Orleans:

New Orleans dogs are often the namesakes of the cuisine (Gumbo, Roux, Beignet, Po-Boy, Boudin); the Saints (Brees, Payton, Deuce); music (Toussaint, Jazz, Satchmo); streets (Clio, Tchoupitoulas, Calliope); neighborhoods (Pearl, Touro, Gert) and Mardi Gras krewes (Zulu, Rex, Bacchus).

From Tropic Thunder: Making of a War Movie Satire by Emanuel Levy:

One cast member had very few complaints about shooting in Hawaii, never letting it get in the way of her own agenda on the set. The filmmakers found Bertha, the water buffalo that [Jack] Black’s character rides, in Texas and flew her to Kauai on a special plane. But about midway through filming, everyone was in for a big surprise. One day the trainer called us and said, Oh, by the way, Bertha can’t work because when we showed up at the corral this morning, she had a calf, recalls producer McLeod. We didn’t know she was pregnant. No one knew she was pregnant. Bertha having this baby was definitely kind of a humorous morale booster for everyone. In honor of Jack Black, the animal trainer named Bertha’s baby Little Jack.

(Here’s a video of Jack Black talking about getting bucked off Bertha during filming.)

From a 2022 National Park Service Instagram post:

Fun fact: The actual number of bobcats named Bob is fairly small.

Many actually prefer Robert.

Katmai bear "Walker" (NPS)
Katmai bear #151, a.k.a. “Walker”

From the Katmai National Park booklet Bears of Brooks River 2018 (PDF):

Bears at Brooks River are assigned numbers for monitoring, management, and identification purposes. Inevitably, some bears acquire nicknames from staff and these nicknames are included in this book, but naming wild animals is not without controversy. Is it appropriate to name wild animals?

[…]

Names also carry meaning, intentionally or not. What stigmas would you attach to a young bear nicknamed Fluffy versus a large male bear named Killer? How would those stigmas alter your experience when watching that animal?

(The booklet also included the nicknames of various Katmai brown bears. For example, “Walker” had “large dark eye rings” reminiscent of zombie eyes, and “Evander” was missing part of an ear — much like Evander Holyfield after his 1997 fight with Mike Tyson.)

From an article about medieval pet names at Medievalists.net:

In England we find dogs that were named Sturdy, Whitefoot, Hardy, Jakke, Bo and Terri. Anne Boleyn, one of the wives of King Henry VIII, had a dog named Purkoy, who got its name from the French ‘pourquoi’ because it was very inquisitive.

From “A Puppy Called Marvin” by Julie Lasky in the New York Times:

Clara is my 2-year-old Wheaten terrier and one of several dogs in my neighborhood with a name that sounds as if it came from a shuffleboard tournament on a golden-years cruise. Among her pals, Fern is red-nose pit bull, Alfie is (mostly) a black lab and Eleanor is a mix of Bernese mountain dog and poodle.

This pack has led me to conclude that whereas we look back to remote centuries when giving children trendy names like Emma, Sebastian, Julian or Charlotte, we name our dogs after our grandparents.

[…]

This means that future generations of dogs should be prepared to be called the mom-and-dad names of today. Names like Kimberly, Jason and Heather.

From a 2019 video of Vogue editor Anna Wintour talking about her new puppy, named Finch:

She’s called Finch because we call all of our dogs after characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. So we have had a Scout, a Radley, and a Harper. And let me tell you, they are not happy about Finch’s arrival.

DRAM's album "Big Baby DRAM" (2016)
DRAM album

From a video in which rapper DRAM talks about his goldendoodle named Idnit [vid]:

So, Idnit — as in, idn’t it so cute.

From a Mental Floss article about why we call parrots Polly by Kara Kovalchik:

The generic name “Pol” for a parrot can be traced back to England since at least the early 1600s. In his 1606 comedy Volpone, Renaissance playwright — and close friend of William Shakespeare — Ben Jonson assigned many of the characters animal personas which reflected their true nature.

[…]

Two comic relief-type characters, Sir Politic Would-Be (“Sir Pol” for short) and his wife, are visitors from England who are trying to ingratiate themselves into Venetian society, and they do so by simply mimicking the words and behavior of Volpone and his associates. Because of their endearing ignorance of what they are actually saying when they repeat phrases they’ve learned, Jonson describes them as parrots.

It is unclear whether Jonson actually coined the term “Pol” as a catch-all moniker for parrots, or if he simply popularized it. In any case, indulgent British pet owners eventually turned “Pol” into the much cutesier diminutive “Polly,” and both names made their way across the Atlantic.

From a Stuff.co.nz article about a bright orange seagull with a fitting name:

Staff at the Buckinghamshire, England [animal] hospital say the gull somehow got curry or turmeric all over his feathers, which prevented him from flying properly. The bird, named Vinny after the popular Indian dish Vindaloo curry, put up a fight but eventually let the staff scrub his feathers.

From a late 2020 Zoological Society of London news release:

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s giraffe herd welcomed a giant six-foot-tall new arrival this week — on what has been dubbed ‘the day of hope’ by staff at the UK’s largest zoo.

The female calf was born at the same time [that] the first COVID-19 vaccine was given to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan, during the early hours of Tuesday 8 December — and in recognition of the poignant moment, the infant has been named Margaret.

From a late 2023 BBC article about a rescued turtle:

The tiny turtle was found in a pretty bad condition off the Scottish island of Iona – which she was named after – in January 2022.

Her rescuers weren’t sure if she was going to make it at first, as she is a loggerhead turtle, a tropical species that needs warm temperatures to survive.

But after almost two years of recovery in the UK and Portugal, Iona has now been released back into the ocean by marine scientists.

Images: sloth by Sophia Müller from Unsplash, flag adapted from Flag of California (public domain), bear by NPS (public domain), the album Big Baby DRAM (2016)

[Latest update: Oct. 2023]

The top boy-name debuts of 2010

lotus bud

Below are the boy name debuts of 2010.

The “boy name debuts” are the boy names that never appeared on the Social Security Administration’s baby name list before 2010. That is, boy names that were never given to more than 5 baby boys in any single year on record (1880-2009).

  1. Vadhir, 55 baby boys – from actor Vadhir Derbez
  2. Jeffren, 28 – from soccer player Jeffrén
  3. Brees, 22 – from football player Drew Brees
  4. Neymar, 19 – from soccer player Neymar
  5. Dastan, 17 – from Prince of Persia character Dastan (h/t Julie)
  6. Kaisyn, 15
  7. Kiaan, 15
  8. Coopar, 14
  9. Khaidyn, 13
  10. Koli, 13 – from Biggest Loser contestant Koli Palu (h/t Angela)
  11. Miking, 12
  12. Oluwadarasimi, 12
  13. Avyan, 11
  14. Gurtaj, 11
  15. Yanuel, 11
  16. Hezeki, 10
  17. Jaxxen, 10
  18. Krosby, 10
  19. Riaan, 10 – Not a debut! My mistake.
  20. Rilynn, 10
  21. Robben, 10 – Another false positive.
  22. Weylyn, 10

Given to 9 baby boys:
Abem, Ayce, Aydain, Baze, Beckhem, Caysin, Haaziq, Jadyen, Jaedynn, Kyryn, Liel, Nox, Pistol, Poseidon, Raizo, Shaddix, Srihaas, Talent

Given to 8 baby boys:
Adrianno, Axil, Beckum, Benhur, Bentlei, Bradynn, Breaker, Child, Colsten, Devarsh, Farzan, Goodluck, Graesyn, Jaasir, Jahmell, Jairden, Jayrell, Khonor, Koldyn, Kyier, Makua, Ozil, Sahibdeep, Smayan, Teagyn, Tenor, Yoann, Zamaurion

Given to 7 baby boys:
Aceyn, Ahmire, Alameen, Arihaan, Aws, Ayiden, Baize, Bavly, Bemnet, Bentleigh, Bentlie, Braham, Cadian, Carmell, Cashmir, Cayvion, Chaysten, Cormari, Daimarion, Demire, Deriel, Devaj, Dradyn, Eastan, Elysia, Erdi, Feliks, Graysin, Guilian, Hastings, Izekiel, Jahniel, Jaizen, Jaydean, Jaydem, Jefren, Jemir, Jozyah, Jvontae, Kabel, Kartel, Kayston, Khloe, Kipten, Kiptin, Knolan, Lakhi, Lealan, Leim, Mauer, Mytrell, Navell, Nikkoli, Nyzair, Nyzere, Pragyan, Rajab, Rhyley, Riott, Roony, Ryerson, Shaemus, Shahzain, Silis, Skyden, Suheb, Suheyb, Suyog, Tayem, Traigh, Trax, Trelynn, Zaelon, Zameir, Zarious, Zevyn, Ziel

Given to 6 baby boys:
Aarib, Abdelrhman, Acheron, Ahanu, Ahian, Aidanjames, Alhasan, Alizander, Altay, Amiliano, Aoi, Arson, Ashdyn, Aviraj, Awesome, Aydric, Aymeric, Azarious, Bayze, Beowulf, Bodhin, Bohan, Brekkin, Breontae, Brom, Cadrian, Casden, Cena, Chezkel, Coreyion, Coyer, Cung, Daidrian, Demajae, Demilade, Derringer, Draeson, Draycen, Draysen, Dreydin, Eliason, Elnatan, Elyn, Ethanjohn, Ethanpaul, Finau, Gambit, Gersain, Hadin, Haruma, Haydar, Henos, Het, Ilyjah, Izaeh, Jacks, Jaetyn, Jagjot, Jahvel, Jaisal, Jakier, Jakov, Jankarlo, Javare, Jaydhen, Jaylaun, Jaymani, Jaymez, Jazavion, Jeckson, Jenzel, Jesai, Jette, Jexiel, Jiho, Jmir, Joacim, Josyiah, Juelez, Kahir, Kaigan, Kailo, Kajetan, Kaspian, Kavya, Kaycin, Kayeden, Kayro, Keair, Keating, Kevari, Kharter, Kojiro, Korrion, Krishang, Kristiano, Kyaw, Laderian, Lanxton, Laterrion, Lejend, Levii, Liamm, Liav, Lukyan, Macks, Mahsiah, Majok, Malyke, Marcjacob, Masonjames, Mekko, Mouctar, Myion, Nasri, Neer, Nidhish, Nikali, No, Noahh, Norbu, Nubaid, Paramveer, Paxtin, Phinn, Princejohn, Princton, Radford, Rawly, Rigg, Rylund, Samonte, Samvit, Serious, Seyon, Shloke, Shoumik, Siale, Sidak, Statham, Syedmuhammad, Syier, Syree, Tahan, Tamare, Taraj, Tesher, Traeshon, Traydon, Trezden, Trippton, Turki, Vishak, Xael, Xzayden, Xzayvian, Yadon, Yohel, Yosniel, Yuriah, Yuva, Zaedon, Zaevian, Zerrion, Zevi, Zhaiden, Zhayden, Zihan, Zuriah

Given to 5 baby boys (a few highlights from a much longer list):
Attis, Bhargava, Brookston, Eternal, Kingsolomon, Motley, Mykl, Sparrow, Yahweh, Zzyzx

(See the top girl name debuts of 2010.)

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from LotusBud0048a (public domain) by Frank “Fg2” Gualtieri

The top girl-name debuts of 2010

lotus bud

Below are the girl name debuts of 2010.

What do I mean by “girl name debuts”? I mean girl names that never appeared on the Social Security Administration’s baby name list before 2010. That is, girl names that were never given to more than 5 baby girls in any single year on record (1880-2009).

  1. Tynlee, 42 baby girls – based on Tenley, inspired by Bachelor contestant Tenley Molzahn (thanks Brandy & Angela!)
  2. Khloei, 21
  3. Peyson, 18 – based on Payson, inspired by Make It or Break It character Payson (h/t SkyeRhyly)
  4. Tensley, 18
  5. Rossibell, 17 – from Nuestra Belleza Latina
  6. Solanch, 17
  7. Malillany, 16 – from actress Malillany Marín (h/t Angela)
  8. Emonii, 15
  9. Neytiri, 15 – the Avatar baby name!
  10. Ryden, 15
  11. Jazae, 14
  12. Winry, 14 – from anime character Winry Rockbell (h/t Angela)
  13. Addalynne, 13
  14. Alhia, 13
  15. Armonii, 13
  16. Emmelina, 13
  17. Geleah, 13
  18. Tenli, 13
  19. Bethenny, 12 – thanks to Bethenny Frankel
  20. Kenzly, 12
  21. Kynzlie, 12
  22. Naleigh, 12 – Katherine Heigl’s daughter’s nickname (Nancy + Leigh)
  23. Paisyn, 12
  24. Elyzah, 11
  25. Imar, 11
  26. Koraline, 11
  27. Olyviah, 11
  28. Reighlynn, 11
  29. Tynleigh, 11
  30. Anberlyn, 10
  31. Ariabella, 10
  32. Avaiyah, 10
  33. Chrissette, 10 – based on Chrisette, inspired by Chrisette Michele
  34. Collyns, 10
  35. Fatimazahra, 10
  36. Haydenn, 10
  37. Mahrosh, 10
  38. Naleia, 10
  39. Paycen, 10
  40. Reemas, 10
  41. Sookie, 10 – from True Blood barmaid Sookie Stackhouse (nice job Jamie & Amanda!)
  42. Vaya, 10

Given to 9 baby girls:
Celiana, Emelynn, Evelet, Hartleigh, Javeyah, Jazayah, Josenid, Juiliana, Juleena, Kailaya, Kanylah, Kollins, Maielle, Mayukha, Millani, Mishika, Phinley, Rayanah, Rozalie, Ryleighann, Sui, Sukhleen, Tinslee, Yahvi, Zaydie, Zaylyn

Given to 8 baby girls:
Agrima, Ahriyah, Aliiyah, Azula, Baiya, Bentlea, Breyelle, Ceriyah, Cymphony, Dieynaba, Dynver, Ellody, Emiliya, Emuna, Enajiah, Hailo, Harloe, Heldana, Honestii, Insiya, Jamilyah, Janielys, Kadira, Karmynn, Kiralee, Koli, Lilyah, Mahlaya, Malinalli, Mckinsley, Muniba, Naiyla, Paysli, Phallyn, Sahanna, Saraji, Sopheya, Success, Tarijah, Tinzley, Vedanshi, Veya, Vung, Yaara, Yaila, Zaliya, Zhuri, Zylee

Given to 7 baby girls:
Adalayde, Adaleena, Amairah, Analyz, Anjeliett, Armiya, Attalia, Aylynn, Brees, Brennley, Brently, Brindle, Caylinn, Copelyn, Coralyne, Crisette (see above), Daisymae, Dannaly, Daylani, Daymi, Delaili, Dubraska, Ellye, Emrys, Emyiah, Evoleht, Fynn, Giyanna, Guilliana, Hazelynn, Isabelah, Ishwari, Jaxsyn, Jenisys, Kaashvi, Kalashia, Kamella, Kerlin, Keylli, Kinli, Lochlynn, Lunabella, Luxi, Lyliah, Lynli, Macilynn, Makenzii, Makynleigh, Malaun, Malillani, Maliyani, Marayla, Mckenzii, Mehjabeen, Monzeratt, Naledi, Nazari, Nechy, Nesia, No, Noriana, Oluwasemilore, Paetynn, Petal, Phenyx, Portland, Rhyon, Rosealyn, Rylenn, Sajda, Tenlie, Tennley, Tinleigh, Tinzlee, Westyn, Yoona, Yorley, Zriah, Zykayla, Zynah

Given to 6 baby girls:
Aareona, Abela, Adallyn, Adalyna, Addisin, Addysn, Adelayne, Ahnalee, Ahnisty, Aiyani, Akyria, Aleemah, Alianys, Allieanna, Alyka, Amyliah, Aneeqa, Anleigh, Annalin, Architha, Arielyz, Ariyunna, Asiel, Aveleen, Avereigh, Averylynn, Ayati, Aydree, Aydrianna, Ayleigh, Ayvrie, Bellasophia, Benelli, Bixby, Braelie, Breelee, Brithny, Bryndal, Celisse, Chayden, Chesleigh, Coralina, Daeun, Dannaka, Dannely, Daryna, Delajah, Delilha, Denylah, Ealyn, Elaia, Emalyne, Emellia, Emelya, Emmelin, Emmrie, Enalina, Ereny, Esmi, Faya, Garner, Haizley, Haliana, Hartlyn, Haydi, Hazelee, Hikma, Hudsen, Ilhaan, Inci, Innessa, Ivyunna, Ixareli, Jahlissa, Jahziah, Janihya, Japneet, Jasilynn, Jasya, Jaydelyn, Jaylamarie, Jaylanni, Jayliany, Jazari, Jenessis, Jeraldyn, Jerely, Jeriana, Jhourni, Kamiyha, Kamyree, Karizmah, Kawsar, Kayleeanne, Kaymani, Kayzlee, Kealynn, Kemariyah, Kevaeh, Khaelyn, Khaleia, Khloye, Kimyia, Kinzlie, Kiylie, Kollyn, Kylaya, Kynnlie, Kynzley, Laliyah, Layelle, Lazariya, Leilanii, Lev, Lexanie, Lianett, Lillyaunna, Lilyiana, Liylah, Lizsandra, Logynn, Loxley, Lucillia, Luxx, Lyannah, Lyndin, Madilene, Maesie, Mafata, Mahal, Majorie, Makeira, Malinah, Maxim, Maybelin, Mays, Mckynli, Miabelle, Mickaylah, Milaun, Nabella, Nayloni, Nayome, Nayonika, Neomy, Nevaha, Nilani, Nitasha, Nylayah, Oluwaferanmi, Omiyah, Paesyn, Pahal, Paisely, Phoenixx, Prakriti, Pushti, Quinlee, Quinnley, Raiyah, Rajana, Rayleah, Rehan, Reja, Rhylen, Rimya, Ruaa, Ruah, Ruslana, Rylii, Saanvika, Sachika, Sadora, Salea, Sameriah, Samiira, Samriddhi, Sanchi, Sanylah, Savi, Shanvi, Sharleez, Shasmeen, Skilah, Sophiaann, Sukie, Swasti, Swayzie, Tabata, Tamariana, Tarajhi, Tazkia, Tazlyn, Tenly, Tyjanay, Xinyu, Xyliah, Yashaswini, Yaxiry, Zabdy, Zairy, Zaiyah, Zakarah, Zamoni, Zarihya, Zaylen, Ziannah, Zoeylynn, Zurielle, Zynae, Zyriyah, Zyyanna

Given to 5 baby girls (a few highlights from a much longer list):
Abyssinia, Aveda, Corabella, Endsley, Julivette, Misk, Nevaehtnes, Polaris, Shiphrah, Vidula, Wengel, Zealand

(See the top boy name debuts of 2010.)

Source: SSA

Image: Adapted from LotusBud0048a (public domain) by Frank “Fg2” Gualtieri