How popular is the baby name Bristol in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Bristol.

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Popularity of the baby name Bristol


Posts that mention the name Bristol

Baby names that became more popular in 2011

The SSA has re-ordered the top 500 (or so) most popular baby names by rank change. According to these lists, the boy and girl names that increased the most in terms of rank from 2010 to 2011 were these:

Girl names:

  1. Briella, +394 (891st to 497th)
  2. Angelique, +247 (627th to 380th)
  3. Aria, +196 (353rd to 157th)
  4. Mila, +190 (364th to 174th)
  5. Elsie, +165 (645th to 480th)
  6. Nylah, +149 (606th to 457th)
  7. Raelynn, +133 (629th to 496th)
  8. Brynlee, +130 (509th to 379th)
  9. Olive, +127 (543rd to 416th)
  10. June, +126 (596th to 470th)
  11. Bristol, +126 (560th to 434th)

Boy names:

  1. Brantley, +416 (736th to 320th)
  2. Iker, +267 (646th to 379th)
  3. Maximiliano, +173 (462nd to 289th)
  4. Zaiden, +131 (620th to 489th)
  5. Kamden, +109 (557th to 448th)
  6. Barrett, +106 (541st to 435th)
  7. Archer, +101 (548th to 447th)
  8. Declan, +97 (274th to 177th)
  9. Atticus, +96 (558th to 462nd)
  10. Nico, +95 (591st to 496th)

To know which names rose the most overall, check out my follow-up posts Biggest Changes in Girl Name Popularity, 2011 and Biggest Changes in Boy Name Popularity, 2011.

Update: I found info on some of the fastest-climbing names in the SSA’s press release:

Briella:

The fastest riser on the girls’ list may come from Briella Calafiore, the blonde reality star hairdresser from cable TV’s “Jerseylicious” and its spinoff, “Glam Fairy.”

(There’s seriously a show called “Jerseylicious”?)

Brantley:

For the boys, there could be some controversy over Brantley – depending on whether you are a fan of college football or country music. Arguments could be made that the popularity of the name comes from John Brantley, the quarterback for perennial powerhouse The University of Florida, or from Brantley Gilbert, the singer with the number one country hit “Country Must Be Country Wide.” If you like both football and country music, you’re a winner either way!

Iker:

The second fastest riser on the boys’ list is Iker. There may be some international influence here—Iker Casillas Fernandez is the well-known goalkeeper for both Real Madrid and the Spanish National Team. In 2010, Iker led Spain to a World Cup championship, just in time to influence the 2011 baby names list.

Angelique:

On the girls’ side, Angelique is the second biggest climber, but she may have gotten there with some magic. Angelique is the character name of a witch from the cult favorite “Dark Shadows.” She worked her witchcraft just in time for the blockbuster Hollywood remake of the 1960s TV show.

[Latest update: June 2023]

Popular and unique baby names in Idaho, 2010

Flag of Idaho
Flag of Idaho

The state of Idaho recently released its 2010 annual report, and the report includes some baby names.

First, here are Idaho’s most popular baby names of 2010. (More or less the same as what SSA has listed for Idaho that year.)

Girl Names

  1. Olivia, 122 baby girls
  2. Emma, 103
  3. Sophia, 99
  4. Ava, 88
  5. Abigail, 85
  6. Elizabeth, 83
  7. Emily, 78
  8. Isabella, 77
  9. Ella, 71
  10. Addison & Brooklyn (tie), 65 each

Boy Names

  1. William, 119 baby boys
  2. Samuel, 116
  3. Logan, 115
  4. Ethan, 101
  5. Jacob, 95
  6. Aiden, 92
  7. Mason, 89
  8. Noah, 82
  9. Alexander, 81
  10. James, 79

Now on to the bizarre stuff!

In the report, Idaho included a selection of unique names:

Unique Boy Names (2010)Unique Girl Names (2010)
Bear, Character, Dagger, Freighter, Genghis, Hatchet, Hemi, Ice-T, Jethreaux, Justify, King Tiberius, Laugh, Nightsky, Permisius, Raysyn, Ripken, Saw, Scythe, Skeeter, Sourish, Theory, Truth, W’dbin, Wisdom, ZytareonArrehli, Aoife, Balou, Bronwyn, Dawnlight, Dixi, Espn, Hickory, Kalifornia, Koal, Legacy, Little Noah, Meeka Bella, Mhyrrauzhe, Moneeq, Moserratt, Omolola, Oo, Rootsy, Saphron, Sparkle, Sunset, Tietsie, Virtue, Xoko

Some thoughts:

Since Idaho’s annual reports for 2003-2010 are all available online, lets look at the selections of unique names from years past, shall we?

2009:

Unique Boy Names (2009)Unique Girl Names (2009)
“Champion” Reese, Civic, Cougar, Domonique, Eleven, Evol, Hopper, Huckleberry, Irish, Jah Kobi, Jaxxon, Kastle, K-Den, Major Jack, Nixon, Noall, Oz, Pledger, Reef, Sabyr, Shade, Shadow, Skeet, Taft, ZebedeeArlington, August Star, Beatriz, Byrkli, Charm, Clarixxa, Daiquiri, Fayte, Goldie-Moon, Gyzzelle, Jubilee, Kanyon, Lala, Love, Montana, Nirvana, Pepper, Prairie, Poppy, Soul, Tottie, Tundra, Zipporah

Yes, those quotation marks were included.

2008:

Unique Boy Names (2008)Unique Girl Names (2008)
Adjrick, Andronicus, Arrow, Blazer, Brayke, Buzz, Casino, Chamillionaire, Dacx, Driggs, Gamble, Heman, Klete, Kodiak, Kroten, Krue, Link, Mitt, Pheonix, Ransom, Rodee, Silynce, Summit, ZzyzxAngelic, Beautifull, Boisen, Byainett, Calloway, Celestial, Ecstacy, Eeleceya, Hadies, Heaven, Infiniti, Integrity, Jewleah, Kaskade, Kozmo, Maplejo, Mishalyn, Remmington, Season, Symphony, Thyme, Ugonna, Xerenity, Zepplyn

2007:

Unique Boy Names (2007)Unique Girl Names (2007)
Aodhan, Braestyn, Buell, Champ, Dazryn, Elisjsha, Enveus, Grimsley, Hayze, Holdem, Kamero, Kay-Sin, Khonnerk, Lowgin, Makaijden, Mickyle, Nykolaus, Painter, Praze, Sander, Shadrack, Solo, Space, Tlaloc, TrackinArbor, Auktober, Blessin, Brizzbin, Brookenzie, Cabella, Clarity, Denym, Eos, Epiphany, Honesty, Kwincee, Lavender, Lybburtie, Miami, Modiesty-Star, Mysticque, Peaches, Perfect, Rebel-Ann, Seattle, Shy, Uneike, Vegas, Zoigh

Casino and Gamble in 2008, Holdem and Vegas in 2007…do I detect a pattern here?

2006:

Unique Boy Names (2006)Unique Girl Names (2006)
Akhilles, Backtash, Blend, Bronco, Chalk, College, Colquohn, Daily, Gid, Hampton, Howdy, Jameraquoi, Karona, Lake, Packer, Polo, Razor, Rythmik, Sacramento, Spur, Trask, Tucson, Winn, Wracer, XzavvyerAllyvia, Anakalia, Aptisam, Aveda, Blayde, Bristol, Cedee, Dorcas, Fall, Heziachiah, Kalispell, Klowie, Lexington, Little Summers, Navy, Northstar, Nutaliay Harmoney, Pennilane Meadow, Phaedra, Russia, Tacheranai, Tragen, Tsunami, Viktoriya, Yochabelle

2005:

Unique Boy Names (2005)Unique Girl Names (2005)
Anthem, Ayerik, Candyladio, Cotton, Dodger, Drizzt, Havoc, Izik, Kaschus, Khargo, Kleveland, Kryzstian, Kudter, Lucky, Nickel, Perrigrine, Quirt, Rook, Salad, Snuepy, Tearin, Trapper, Troix, Truth, WesternAlaska, Alpine, Aquilla, Autumn Hunnie, Cascade, Chili, England, Graceland, Happy, Holland, Itali, Juniper, Jynnjer, Kahlua, Khlover, Kronic, Libbertie, Lixy, Mali, Manhattan, Oyuky, Saoirse, Tanaquil, Wyntre, Zipaya

2004:

Unique Boy Names (2004)Unique Girl Names (2004)
Audi, Boulder, Cairo, Carpenter, Catcher, Cohl, Craeton, Fynyxx, Gairimiah, Honniscrave, Kahlvyn, Kaimbridge, Koa, Ledg, Nike, Qwydion, Nation, Racin, Rhoamen, Sagedricht, Stouffer, Stryker, Tayo, Tracer, WongfeiAmericus, Braenwynne, Cachet, Creedance, Fennel, Freedom, Indyana, Innocence, Libertyann, Mavity, McCall, Mem’Ree, Memphis, Octayvia, Olive, Remedy, Sativalyn, Secret-Destiny, Serendipity, Sicily, Sublym, Surreal, Tennessee, Tuesday-Rain, Zuzu

2003:

Unique Boy Names (2003)Unique Girl Names (2003)
Barnaby, Birch, Boone, Bruin, Cage, Camas, Carbon, Coupe, Dooley, Drakeland, Dutch, Future, Gryphon, Hatch, Huckle, Jex, Kross, Kutter, Magnus, Mir, Pantaleon, Tazyn, Treznor, Tugg, TukerAlastrionna, Ambrosia, Amnesty, Berlyn, Brittanica, Calypso, Capreece, Catalina, Celtic, Crimson, Daytona, Diligence, Divinity, Dublin, Hermyanie, Icelynn, Kazpyr, Kezzi, Lotus, Magnolia, Otila, Payshence, Pranaleyadri, Rainger, Starlit

In Idaho’s 2003-2009 annual reports, the heading of the unique names section was “Selected Unique Names, Yewneek Spellings.” For 2010, it was lengthened to “Selected Unique Baby Names, Yewneek Baybee Spellings.” Aren’t these a bit snarky for an official state document…?

Source: Idaho Vital Statistics – Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Image: Adapted from Flag of Idaho (public domain)

[Latest update: June 2023]

Some baby names new to the top 1,000 in 2009

Over 40 baby names (25 girl names, 16 boy names) were new to the top 1,000 in 2009. The highest debuts for girls were Analia, Bristol and Brinley. For boys, Maximiliano, Sylas and Kayson.

Analia comes from the telenovela El Rostro de Analía. The lead character’s name is Ana Lucia, but other characters know her as Analía.

Maximiliano might be another TV reference. Argentinian actor/athlete Maximiliano Palacio was featured on The Real Housewives of New York City last year.

Bristol was influenced by teen mom Bristol Palin, daughter of former VP nominee Sarah Palin.

Other newbies, and likely sources, are: Taraji (actress Taraji Henson), Juelz (rapper Juelz Santana), Maliah (presidential daughter Malia Obama).

Sarah Palin’s grandson (via Bristol) named Tripp

Bristol Palin

Bristol Palin, 18-year-old daughter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and boyfriend Levi Johnston welcomed a son over the weekend.

(Bristol’s pregnancy had been publicly announced on September 1st, the opening day of the 2008 Republican National Convention. This was several days after John McCain announced that he’d chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate.)

Bristol’s baby’s full name is Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston.

My first impression? Tripp is awfully close to Trig, the name of Tripp’s 8-month-old uncle. This could cause some confusion.

What do you think of the name?

Update, 6/2020: Both Bristol and Tripp saw sizeable increases in usage in 2009 thanks to the focus on Bristol and her son.

  • Tripp’s initial boost came in 2006, thanks to the movie Failure to Launch, which featured Matthew Matthew McConaughey as a character named Tripp.
  • Bristol’s usage remained high for several years, likely thanks to her many TV appearances in the early 2010s.

Sources: Sarah Palin’s Daughter Delivers, Palin’s unmarried daughter is pregnant