How popular is the baby name Nicole 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 Nicole.

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Popularity of the baby name Nicole


Posts that mention the name Nicole

Popular twin names in the U.S., 2005 to 2011

twins

Once upon a time, the U.S. Social Security Administration put out annual twin name rankings (that is, rankings of the pairs of baby names given most frequently to sets of U.S. twins).

It all started in 2005 with simple, single-list rankings. Things got more interesting in 2009, when the SSA began splitting the rankings into gender-specific sub-rankings. Then in 2012, nothing. The updates stopped coming.

Now we have seven years’ worth of official twin name data from the U.S. government…and that’s it.

I used to keep these rankings in my directory, but they are so out-of-date now that I think it’s best to archive them in a single blog post, for easy reference. So, without further ado, here are the top baby names for twins born in the United States from 2005 to 2011 (in reverse order):

Top twin names, 2011

Girl-girl twins, 2011Boy-boy twins, 2011Girl-boy twins, 2011
1. Olivia, Sophia (50 sets)
2. Gabriella, Isabella (39)
3. Ella, Emma (33)
4. Faith, Hope (33)
5. Makayla, Makenzie (31)
6. Heaven, Nevaeh (29)
7. Isabella, Sophia (29)
8. Mackenzie, Madison (24)
9. Hailey, Hannah (18)
10. Abigail, Olivia (17)
11. Ava, Emma (17)
12. Ava, Olivia (17)
13. Ava, Mia (16)
14. Emma, Olivia (16)
15. Addison, Avery (15)
16. Ava, Ella (15)
17. Arianna, Brianna (14)
18. Isabella, Olivia (14)
19. London, Paris (14)
20. Madison, Makenzie (14)
21. Faith, Grace (13)
22. Haylee, Kaylee (13)
23. Samantha, Sophia (13)
24. Abigail, Emily (12)
25. Anna, Emma (12)
26. Chloe, Zoey (12)
27. Elizabeth, Emma (12)
28. Emily, Evelyn (12)
29. Reagan, Riley (12)
30. Abigail, Emma (11)
31. Abigail, Sophia (11)
32. Sarah, Sophia (11)
33. Elizabeth, Katherine (10)
34. Emily, Olivia (10)
35. Emma, Sophia (10)
36. Jayla, Kayla (10)
37. Madison, Mckenzie (10)
38. Madison, Morgan (10)
39. Mia, Mya (10)
40. Natalie, Nicole (10)
41. Serenity, Trinity (10)
42. Abigail, Isabella (9)
43. Addison, Olivia (9)
44. Autumn, Summer (9)
45. Ava, Sophia (9)
46. Ella, Olivia (9)
47. Emma, Sophie (9)
48. Gabriella, Sophia (9)
49. Mackenzie, Makayla (9)
50. Valentina, Valeria (9)		1. Daniel, David (58 sets)
2. Jacob, Joshua (55)
3. Isaac, Isaiah (47)
4. Jayden, Jordan (41)
5. Ethan, Evan (39)
6. Elijah, Isaiah (38)
7. Matthew, Michael (33)
8. Jayden, Jaylen (26)
9. Ethan, Nathan (25)
10. Jayden, Kayden (25)
11. Landon, Logan (25)
12. Logan, Lucas (24)
13. Caleb, Joshua (23)
14. James, John (23)
15. Jeremiah, Josiah (21)
16. Logan, Luke (21)
17. Alexander, Benjamin (20)
18. Andrew, Matthew (20)
19. Chance, Chase (20)
20. Hayden, Hunter (20)
21. Alexander, Nicholas (19)
22. Gabriel, Michael (19)
23. Jacob, Joseph (19)
24. Andrew, Benjamin (18)
25. Andrew, Anthony (17)
26. Benjamin, Samuel (17)
27. Ayden, Jayden (16)
28. Christian, Christopher (16)
29. Brandon, Bryan (15)
30. Jacob, Lucas (15)
31. Liam, Logan (15)
32. Nathan, Noah (15)
33. Alexander, Andrew (14)
34. Alexander, Anthony (14)
35. Elijah, Ethan (14)
36. Nathan, Nicholas (14)
37. Aiden, Ethan (13)
38. Aiden, Noah (13)
39. Jason, Justin (13)
40. Logan, Mason (13)
41. Maddox, Mason (13)
42. Nicholas, Noah (13)
43. Benjamin, William (12)
44. Garrett, Gavin (12)
45. Henry, William (12)
46. Jayden, Joshua (12)
47. Jeremiah, Jeremy (12)
48. Jonah, Noah (12)
49. Jordan, Justin (12)
50. Matthew, Nathan (12)		1. Madison, Mason (50 sets)
2. Olivia, Owen (18)
3. Jayda, Jayden (17)
4. Emma, Ethan (14)
5. Isabella, Isaiah (14)
6. Addison, Aiden (13)
7. Emily, Ethan (13)
8. Ava, Aiden (12)
9. Ella, Ethan (12)
10. Jada, Jaden (12)
11. Taylor, Tyler (12)
12. Abigail, Andrew (11)
13. Landon, London (11)
14. Mason, Morgan (11)
15. Olivia, Oliver (11)
16. Zoey, Zachary (11)
17. Isabella, Alexander (10)
18. Olivia, Ethan (10)
19. Madison, Michael (10)
20. Abigail, Benjamin (9)
21. Sophia, Alexander (9)
22. Emily, Matthew (9)
23. Emma, John (9)
24. Mackenzie, Mason (9)
25. Michelle, Michael (9)
26. Adriana, Adrian (8)
27. Charlotte, Henry (8)
28. Elizabeth, William (8)
29. Isabella, Isaac (8)
30. Jayla, Jayden (8)
31. Sophia, Samuel (8)
32. Addison, Jackson (7)
33. Emma, Andrew (7)
34. Ava, Jackson (7)
35. Brooklyn, Blake (7)
36. Chloe, Caleb (7)
37. Chloe, Colton (7)
38. Chloe, Connor (7)
39. Emma, Jack (7)
40. Emma, Jacob (7)
41. Isabella, Jacob (7)
42. Jada, Jordan (7)
43. Natalie, Nathan (7)
44. Sophia, Robert (7)
45. Trinity, Tristan (7)
46. Zoey, Zane (7)
47. Abigail, Alexander (6)
48. Abigail, Jacob (6)
49. Abigail, Zachary (6)
50. Addison, Austin (6)

Similarities in the 2011 rankings:

  • #5 and #49 on the girl-girl list are “Makayla, Makenzie” and “Mackenzie, Makayla.”
  • #8, #20 and #37 on the girl-girl list are “Mackenzie, Madison,” “Madison, Makenzie” and “Madison, Mckenzie.”
  • #3 and #10 on the girl-boy list are “Jayda, Jayden” and “Jada, Jaden.”

Top twin names, 2010

Girl-girl twins, 2010Boy-boy twins, 2010Girl-boy twins, 2010
1. Ella, Emma (44 sets)
2. Olivia, Sophia (42)
3. Gabriella, Isabella (34)
4. Faith, Hope (32)
5. Ava, Emma (28)
6. Isabella, Sophia (25)
7. Madison, Morgan (24)
8. Ava, Ella (21)
9. Ava, Olivia (21)
10. Mackenzie, Madison (21)
11. Abigail, Isabella (20)
12. Abigail, Emma (19)
13. Hailey, Hannah (19)
14. Makayla, Makenzie (19)
15. Addison, Avery (17)
16. Elizabeth, Emily (17)
17. Ava, Mia (16)
18. Heaven, Nevaeh (16)
19. Abigail, Emily (14)
20. Emma, Olivia (14)
21. London, Paris (14)
22. Chloe, Claire (13)
23. Mia, Mya (13)
24. Anna, Emma (12)
25. Arianna, Brianna (12)
26. Isabella, Olivia (12)
27. Abigail, Lillian (11)
28. Addison, Ava (11)
29. Emma, Isabella (11)
30. Samantha, Sophia (11)
31. Ella, Olivia (10)
32. Emma, Hannah (10)
33. Emma, Mia (10)
34. Faith, Grace (10)
35. Madison, Makenzie (10)
36. Madison, Olivia (10)
37. Abigail, Olivia (9)
38. Anabella, Isabella (9)
39. Chloe, Zoe (9)
40. Elizabeth, Isabella (9)
41. Elizabeth, Victoria (9)
42. Jada, Jade (9)
43. Julia, Sophia (9)
44. Kayla, Kylie (9)
45. Madison, Megan (9)
46. Mia, Sophia (9)
47. Natalie, Olivia (9)
48. Paige, Payton (9)
49. Serenity, Trinity (9)
50. Valentina, Valeria (9)		1. Jacob, Joshua (69 sets)
2. Ethan, Evan (54)
3. Jayden, Jordan (52)
4. Daniel, David (50)
5. Matthew, Michael (35)
6. Landon, Logan (32)
7. Elijah, Isaiah (31)
8. Jacob, Joseph (30)
9. Jayden, Jaylen (27)
10. Isaac, Isaiah (26)
11. Caleb, Joshua (25)
12. Andrew, Matthew (22)
13. James, John (22)
14. Alexander, Nicholas (21)
15. Jeremiah, Josiah (21)
16. Joseph, Joshua (21)
17. Nathan, Nicholas (21)
18. Jonathan, Joshua (20)
19. Logan, Lucas (20)
20. Ethan, Nathan (19)
21. Aiden, Ethan (18)
22. Jeremiah, Joshua (18)
23. Alexander, Andrew (17)
24. Alexander, Benjamin (17)
25. Logan, Luke (17)
26. Jacob, Lucas (16)
27. Jonathan, Joseph (16)
28. Nathan, Noah (16)
29. Andrew, Anthony (15)
30. Brandon, Bryan (15)
31. Daniel, Michael (15)
32. Daniel, Samuel (15)
33. Isaiah, Jeremiah (15)
34. Jaden, Jordan (15)
35. Jayden, Kayden (15)
36. John, Joseph (15)
37. Matthew, Ryan (15)
38. Aiden, Austin (14)
39. Benjamin, Samuel (14)
40. Christopher, Nicholas (14)
41. Taylor, Tyler (14)
42. Benjamin, William (13)
43. Hayden, Hunter (13)
44. Santiago, Sebastian (13)
45. Alexander, Anthony (12)
46. Alexander, William (12)
47. Brandon, Brian (12)
48. Carter, Cooper (12)
49. Evan, Owen (12)
50. Evan, Ryan (12)		1. Madison, Mason (32 sets)
2. Emma, Ethan (28)
3. Taylor, Tyler (26)
4. Madison, Michael (19)
5. Jayda, Jayden (17)
6. Madison, Matthew (17)
7. Sophia, Samuel (17)
8. Addison, Aiden (14)
9. Olivia, Owen (13)
10. Zoe, Zachary (13)
11. Addison, Jackson (12)
12. Ava, Aiden (12)
13. Emily, Ethan (12)
14. Emma, Ryan (12)
15. Isabella, Isaac (12)
16. Natalie, Nathan (12)
17. Abigail, Benjamin (11)
18. Emma, Andrew (11)
19. Isabella, Isaiah (11)
20. Jada, Jaden (11)
21. Brianna, Brian (10)
22. Emma, Jack (10)
23. Emma, Aiden (9)
24. Ella, Eli (9)
25. Olivia, Jacob (9)
26. Lily, Logan (9)
27. Michelle, Michael (9)
28. Naomi, Noah (9)
29. Abigail, Alexander (8)
30. Abigail, Andrew (8)
31. Brianna, Brandon (8)
32. Chloe, Christian (8)
33. Elizabeth, William (8)
34. Emily, Matthew (8)
35. Emma, Jacob (8)
36. Emma, William (8)
37. Sarah, Jacob (8)
38. Lilly, Logan (8)
39. Sophia, Nicholas (8)
40. Sophia, Noah (8)
41. Olivia, Oliver (8)
42. Sophia, William (8)
43. Abigail, Jacob (7)
44. Addison, Austin (7)
45. Sophia, Alexander (7)
46. Ella, Jackson (7)
47. Emma, Evan (7)
48. Emma, James (7)
49. Jayla, Jaylen (7)
50. Zoey, Zachary (7)

Similarities in the 2010 rankings:

  • #10 and #35 on the girl-girl list are “Mackenzie, Madison” and “Madison, Makenzie.”
  • #3 and #34 on the boy-boy list are “Jayden, Jordan” and “Jaden, Jordan.”
  • #30 and #47 on the boy-boy list are “Brandon, Bryan” and “Brandon, Brian.”
  • #5 and #20 on the girl-boy list are “Jayda, Jayden” and “Jada, Jaden.”
  • #10 and #50 on the girl-boy list are “Zoe, Zachary” and “Zoey, Zachary.”
  • #26 and #38 on the girl-boy list are “Lily, Logan” and “Lilly, Logan.”

Top twin names, 2009

Girl-girl twins, 2009Boy-boy twins, 2009Girl-boy twins, 2009
1. Isabella, Sophia (41 sets)
2. Faith, Hope (40)
3. Olivia, Sophia (29)
4. Ella, Emma (28)
5. Hailey, Hannah (27)
6. Ava, Emma (25)
7. Heaven, Nevaeh (25)
8. Madison, Morgan (24)
9. Mackenzie, Madison (23)
10. Ava, Olivia (21)
11. Isabella, Olivia (20)
12. Makayla, Makenzie (20)
13. Ava, Ella (19)
14. Faith, Grace (17)
15. Gabriella, Isabella (16)
16. Abigail, Olivia (15)
17. Emma, Sophia (15)
18. London, Paris (15)
19. Elizabeth, Emily (14)
20. Valeria, Vanessa (14)
21. Emily, Emma (12)
22. Emma, Grace (12)
23. Gabriella, Isabella (12)
24. Abigail, Allison (11)
25. Abigail, Emma (11)
26. Addison, Ava (11)
27. Anna, Emma (11)
28. Ava, Mia (11)
29. Ava, Sophia (11)
30. Abigail, Emily (10)
31. Addison, Emma (10)
32. Chloe, Sophie (10)
33. Grace, Hope (10)
34. Natalie, Nicole (10)
35. Savannah, Sierra (10)
36. Allison, Ashley (9)
37. Ella, Lily (9)
38. Emily, Natalie (9)
39. Emily, Olivia (9)
40. Emma, Hannah (9)
41. Emma, Lily (9)
42. Haylee, Kaylee (9)
43. Jennifer, Jessica (9)
44. Madison, Mckenzie (9)
45. Abigail, Elizabeth (8)
46. Addison, Avery (8)
47. Adriana, Andrea (8)
48. Alexandra, Elizabeth (8)
49. Ashley, Emily (8)
50. Ava, Grace (8)		1. Jacob, Joshua (55 sets)
2. Matthew, Michael (52)
3. Daniel, David (50)
4. Jayden, Jordan (41)
5. Jayden, Jaylen (38)
6. Elijah, Isaiah (36)
7. Isaac, Isaiah (36)
8. Ethan, Evan (31)
9. Logan, Lucas (31)
10. Logan, Luke (27)
11. Caleb, Joshua (24)
12. Landon, Logan (24)
13. Andrew, Matthew (23)
14. Nathan, Nicholas (23)
15. Brandon, Bryan (22)
16. Alexander, Benjamin (21)
17. Hayden, Hunter (21)
18. Alexander, Nicholas (20)
19. Gabriel, Michael (20)
20. Christian, Christopher (19)
21. Jordan, Justin (19)
22. Benjamin, Samuel (18)
23. James, John (18)
24. Jeremiah, Joshua (18)
25. John, Joseph (18)
26. Joseph, Joshua (18)
27. Jeremiah, Josiah (17)
28. Aiden, Ethan (16)
29. Jacob, Noah (16)
30. Alexander, Anthony (15)
31. Caleb, Jacob (15)
32. Ethan, Noah (15)
33. Jacob, Joseph (15)
34. James, William (15)
35. Andrew, Anthony (14)
36. Jacob, Zachary (14)
37. Nathan, Noah (14)
38. Aiden, Ashton (13)
39. Alexander, Michael (13)
40. Andrew, William (13)
41. Christopher, Nicholas (13)
42. Dylan, Logan (13)
43. Michael, Nicholas (13)
44. Thomas, William (13)
45. Aidan, Ethan (12)
46. Aiden, Jayden (12)
47. Alexander, Alexis (12)
48. Benjamin, Jacob (12)
49. Chance, Chase (12)
50. Jayden, Kayden (12)		1. Madison, Mason (34 sets)
2. Taylor, Tyler (30)
3. Addison, Aiden (18)
4. Emily, Ethan (16)
5. Emma, Evan (16)
6. Ella, Ethan (15)
7. Emma, Ethan (14)
8. Jayda, Jayden (13)
9. Jada, Jaden (12)
10. Aidan, Nadia (11)
11. Aiden, Ava (11)
12. Emma, William (11)
13. Madison, Matthew (11)
14. Anna, William (10)
15. Emily, Evan (10)
16. Emma, Jacob (10)
17. Emma, Noah (10)
18. Isabella, Isaiah (10)
19. Madison, Michael (10)
20. Addison, Andrew (9)
21. Chloe, Connor (9)
22. Emma, Jack (9)
23. Nicholas, Sophia (9)
24. Noah, Sophia (9)
25. Olivia, Owen (9)
26. Zachary, Zoe (9)
27. Zachary, Zoey (9)
28. Brian, Brianna (8)
29. Caleb, Chloe (8)
30. Ethan, Isabella (8)
31. Grace, John (8)
32. Isabella, Michael (8)
33. Jacob, Jillian (8)
34. Jada, Jayden (8)
35. James, Julia (8)
36. Landon, London (8)
37. Lily, Luke (8)
38. Olivia, William (8)
39. Samuel, Sophia (8)
40. Sophia, William (8)
41. Abigail, Alexander (7)
42. Abigail, Benjamin (7)
43. Alexander, Ava (7)
44. Andrea, Andrew (7)
45. Andrew, Emily (7)
46. Ava, John (7)
47. Ava, Noah (7)
48. Emily, Ryan (7)
49. Emma, James (7)
50. Hannah, Noah (7)

Observations on the 2009 rankings:

  • #9 and #44 on the girl-girl list are “Mackenzie, Madison” and “Madison, Mckenzie.”
  • #15 and #23 on the girl-girl list are both “Gabriella, Isabella.” There was probably supposed to be a spelling difference somewhere, but the SSA had the pairings listed identically.
  • #8, #9 and #34 on the girl-boy list are “Jayda, Jayden,” “Jada, Jaden” and “Jada, Jayden.”
  • #10 on the girl-boy list is “Aidan, Nadia” — the only pair of anagram names I’ve spotted on these twin lists (besides Heaven/Nevaeh, of course).
  • #26 and #27 on the girl-boy list are “Zachary, Zoe” and “Zachary, Zoey.”

Top twin names, 2008

(Gender combinations not specified.)

1. Jacob, Joshua (69 sets born in 2008)
2. Daniel, David (59)
3. Jayden, Jordan (56)
4. Ethan, Evan (50)
5. Taylor, Tyler (43)
6. Gabriella, Isabella (42)
7. Isaac, Isaiah (40)
8. Madison, Morgan (38)
9. Elijah, Isaiah (36)
10. Ella, Emma (35)
11. Landon, Logan (34)
12. Logan, Lucas (34)
13. Matthew, Michael (33)
14. Faith, Hope (29)
15. Isabella, Sophia (28)
16. Olivia, Sophia (28)
17. James, John (27)
18. Madison, Mason (27)
19. Brandon, Bryan (25)
20. Hailey, Hannah (25)
21. Mackenzie, Madison (25)
22. Nathan, Nicholas (25)
23. Addison, Aiden (24)
24. Caleb, Joshua (24)
25. Christian, Christopher (24)
26. Emma, Ethan (24)
27. Jayden, Jaylen (24)
28. Ava, Emma (23)
29. Ava, Olivia (23)
30. Joseph, Joshua (23)
31. Andrew, Matthew (22)
32. Makayla, Makenzie (22)
33. Benjamin, Samuel (21)
34. Brandon, Brian (21)
35. Abigail, Emma (20)
36. Jacob, Matthew (20)
37. Jordan, Justin (20)
38. Nathan, Noah (20)
39. Alexander, Andrew (19)
40. Emily, Ethan (19)
41. Ethan, Nathan (19)
42. Gabriel, Michael (19)
43. Hayden, Hunter (19)
44. Jacob, Joseph (19)
45. Addison, Avery (17)
46. Faith, Grace (17)
47. Jayda, Jayden (17)
48. Joshua, Justin (17)
49. Joshua, Matthew (17)
50. Alexander, Nicholas (16)
51. Emma, Sophie (16)
52. Jada, Jaden (16)
53. Logan, Luke (16)
54. Aaron, Andrew (15)
55. Andrew, Anthony (15)
56. Anna, Emma (15)
57. Autumn, Summer (15)
58. Isabella, Olivia (15)
59. Jacob, Jordan (15)
60. Jacob, Lucas (15)
61. Kyle, Ryan (15)
62. Nicholas, Noah (15)
63. Valeria, Vanessa (15)
64. Abigail, Benjamin (14)
65. Aiden, Ava (14)
66. Alexander, Benjamin (14)
67. Alexander, Christopher (14)
68. Ashley, Emily (14)
69. Benjamin, William (14)
70. Christopher, Matthew (14)
71. Daniel, Michael (14)
72. Dylan, Tyler (14)
73. Emma, Sophia (14)
74. Hannah, Sarah (14)
75. Heaven, Nevaeh (14)
76. Jake, Luke (14)
77. Jennifer, Jessica (14)
78. Mackenzie, Makayla (14)
79. Matthew, William (14)
80. Natalie, Nathan (14)
81. Ryan, Tyler (14)
82. Samuel, Sophia (14)
83. Samuel, William (14)
84. Addison, Emma (13)
85. Adrian, Adriana (13)
86. Aiden, Austin (13)
87. Alexander, Alexis (13)
88. Ava, Mia (13)
89. Benjamin, Jacob (13)
90. Benjamin, Matthew (13)
91. Caleb, Christian (13)
92. Caleb, Jacob (13)
93. Elijah, Ethan (13)
94. Jada, Jayden (13)
95. James, William (13)
96. John, William (13)
97. Lily, Logan (13)
98. Mark, Matthew (13)
99. Matthew, Nicholas (13)
100. Maxwell, Samuel (13)

Similarities in the 2008 rankings:

  • #19 and #34 are “Brandon, Bryan,” and “Brandon, Brian.”
  • #32 and #78 are “Makayla, Makenzie” and “Mackenzie, Makayla.”
  • #47, #52 and #94 are “Jayda, Jayden,” “Jada, Jaden” and “Jada, Jayden.”

Top twin names, 2007

(Gender combinations not specified.)

1. Jacob, Joshua (69 sets born in 2007)
2. Matthew, Michael (55)
3. Daniel, David (52)
4. Isaac, Isaiah (39)
5. Ella, Emma (38)
6. Madison, Morgan (36)
7. Taylor, Tyler (36)
8. Landon, Logan (35)
9. Brandon, Bryan (34)
10. Christian, Christopher (33)
11. Gabriella, Isabella (33)
12. Andrew, Matthew (32)
13. Faith, Hope (32)
14. Joseph, Joshua (31)
15. Ethan, Evan (30)
16. Jacob, Joseph (30)
17. Mackenzie, Madison (29)
18. Alexander, Benjamin (27)
19. Caleb, Joshua (26)
20. Hailey, Hannah (26)
21. Isabella, Sophia (26)
22. Madison, Matthew (26)
23. Emily, Ethan (25)
24. Joshua, Matthew (25)
25. Nathan, Nicholas (25)
26. Andrew, Anthony (24)
27. Jayden, Jordan (24)
28. Madison, Mason (24)
29. Elijah, Isaiah (23)
30. Alexander, Nicholas (22)
31. Jeremiah, Joshua (22)
32. Emma, Ethan (21)
33. Olivia, Sophia (21)
34. Ava, Emma (20)
35. Haley, Hannah (20)
36. Hayden, Hunter (20)
37. Jacob, Zachary (20)
38. Logan, Luke (20)
39. Natalie, Nathan (20)
40. Benjamin, Samuel (19)
41. Christopher, Nicholas (19)
42. Nathan, Noah (19)
43. Alexander, Christopher (18)
44. James, John (18)
45. John, William (18)
46. Jordan, Justin (18)
47. Megan, Morgan (18)
48. Alexander, Anthony (17)
49. Andrew, William (17)
50. Christopher, Matthew (17)
51. Isabella, Olivia (17)
52. Jacob, Jordan (17)
53. Joseph, Michael (17)
54. Alexander, Andrew (16)
55. Andrew, Jacob (16)
56. Elijah, Ethan (16)
57. Jacob, Matthew (16)
58. Jacob, Samuel (16)
59. James, Joseph (16)
60. Jordan, Joshua (16)
61. Matthew, Ryan (16)
62. Nicholas, Noah (16)
63. Ava, Olivia (15)
64. Emma, Grace (15)
65. Emma, Hannah (15)
66. Jason, Justin (15)
67. Jennifer, Jessica (15)
68. Makayla, Makenzie (15)
69. Natalie, Nicole (15)
70. Zachary, Zoe (15)
71. Ava, Sophia (14)
72. Benjamin, Jacob (14)
73. Emma, Olivia (14)
74. Ethan, Nathan (14)
75. Gabriel, Michael (14)
76. Grace, Olivia (14)
77. Jacob, Justin (14)
78. Jacob, Tyler (14)
79. Jaden, Jordan (14)
80. Jonathan, Joshua (14)
81. Jose, Juan (14)
82. Logan, Lucas (14)
83. Mark, Matthew (14)
84. Robert, William (14)
85. Samuel, Sophia (14)
86. Abigail, Emily (13)
87. Abigail, Emma (13)
88. Alexander, William (13)
89. Anna, Emma (13)
90. Ashley, Emily (13)
91. Ava, Ella (13)
92. Cameron, Christian (13)
93. Emily, Sarah (13)
94. Emma, Jacob (13)
95. Emma, William (13)
96. Grace, Hannah (13)
97. Hannah, Sarah (13)
98. Jayden, Jaylen (13)
99. Joseph, Nicholas (13)
100. Joshua, Zachary (13)
101. Madison, Megan (13)
102. Parker, Preston (13)

Similarities in the 2007 rankings:

  • #20 and #35 are “Hailey, Hannah” and “Haley, Hannah.”
  • #27 and #79 are “Jayden, Jordan” and “Jaden, Jordan.”

Top twin names, 2006

(Gender combinations not specified.)

1. Jacob, Joshua (67 sets born in 2006)
2. Matthew, Michael (54)
3. Daniel, David (52)
4. Ella, Emma (38)
5. Isaac, Isaiah (38)
6. Madison, Morgan (36)
7. Landon, Logan (35)
8. Taylor, Tyler (35)
9. Brandon, Bryan (34)
10. Christian, Christopher (33)
11. Gabriella, Isabella (33)
12. Andrew, Matthew (32)
13. Faith, Hope (31)
14. Ethan, Evan (30)
15. Jacob, Joseph (30)
16. Joseph, Joshua (29)
17. Mackenzie, Madison (29)
18. Alexander, Benjamin (27)
19. Hailey, Hannah (27)
20. Madison, Matthew (26)
21. Caleb, Joshua (25)
22. Emily, Ethan (25)
23. Isabella, Sophia (25)
24. Joshua, Matthew (25)
25. Nathan, Nicholas (25)
26. Andrew, Anthony (24)
27. Jayden, Jordan (24)
28. Madison, Mason (24)
29. Elijah, Isaiah (22)
30. Jeremiah, Joshua (22)
31. Alexander, Nicholas (21)
32. Emma, Ethan (21)
33. Olivia, Sophia (21)
34. Ava, Emma (20)
35. Hayden, Hunter (20)
36. Logan, Luke (20)
37. Natalie, Nathan (20)
38. Christopher, Nicholas (19)
39. Haley, Hannah (19)
40. Jacob, Zachary (19)
41. John, William (19)
42. Nathan, Noah (19)
43. Benjamin, Samuel (18)
44. James, John (18)
45. Jordan, Justin (18)
46. Megan, Morgan (18)
47. Alexander, Anthony (17)
48. Isabella, Olivia (17)
49. Jacob, Jordan (17)
50. Joseph, Michael (17)
51. Nicholas, Noah (17)
52. Alexander, Andrew (16)
53. Alexander, Christopher (16)
54. Andrew, Jacob (16)
55. Christopher, Matthew (16)
56. Elijah, Ethan (16)
57. Jacob, Samuel (16)
58. James, Joseph (16)
59. Matthew, Ryan (16)
60. Ava, Olivia (15)
61. Emma, Grace (15)
62. Emma, Hannah (15)
63. Jacob, Matthew (15)
64. Jaden, Jordan (15)
65. Jason, Justin (15)
66. Jordan, Joshua (15)
67. Makayla, Makenzie (15)
68. Zachary, Zoe (15)
69. Abigail, Emily (14)
70. Andrew, William (14)
71. Benjamin, Jacob (14)
72. Emma, Olivia (14)
73. Ethan, Nathan (14)
74. Gabriel, Michael (14)
75. Hannah, Sarah (14)
76. Jacob, Justin (14)
77. Jacob, Tyler (14)
78. Jennifer, Jessica (14)
79. Jonathan, Joshua (14)
80. Jose, Juan (14)
81. Mark, Matthew (14)
82. Natalie, Nicole (14)
83. Samuel, Sophia (14)
84. Abigail, Emma (13)
85. Alexander, William (13)
86. Anna, Emma (13)
87. Ashley, Emily (13)
88. Ava, Sophia (13)
89. Cameron, Christian (13)
90. Emily, Sarah (13)
91. Emma, Jacob (13)
92. Grace, Hannah (13)
93. Grace, Olivia (13)
94. Jayden, Jaylen (13)
95. Joseph, Nicholas (13)
96. Joshua, Zachary (13)
97. Logan, Lucas (13)
98. Madison, Megan (13)
99. Parker, Preston (13)
100. Robert, William (13)

Similarities in the 2006 rankings:

  • #19 and #39 are “Hailey, Hannah” and “Haley, Hannah.”
  • #27 and #64 are “Jayden, Jordan” and “Jaden, Jordan.”

Top twin names, 2005

(Gender combinations not specified.)

1. Jacob, Joshua (78 sets born in 2005)
2. Matthew, Michael (70)
3. Daniel, David (63)
4. Faith, Hope (49)
5. Ethan, Evan (43)
6. Taylor, Tyler (42)
7. Isaac, Isaiah (37)
8. Joseph, Joshua (37)
9. Nathan, Nicholas (37)
10. Madison, Mason (33)
11. Hailey, Hannah (32)
12. Madison, Morgan (32)
13. Alexander, Andrew (29)
14. Elijah, Isaiah (28)
15. Jordan, Justin (28)
16. Mackenzie, Madison (27)
17. Alexander, Nicholas (25)
18. Caleb, Joshua (25)
19. Emma, Ethan (25)
20. Jonathan, Joshua (25)
21. Emily, Ethan (24)
22. Alexander, Benjamin (23)
23. Andrew, Matthew (23)
24. Benjamin, Samuel (23)
25. James, John (23)
26. Matthew, Nicholas (23)
27. Brandon, Brian (22)
28. Ella, Emma (22)
29. Alexander, Zachary (21)
30. Dylan, Tyler (21)
31. Hannah, Sarah (21)
32. Madison, Matthew (21)
33. Christian, Christopher (20)
34. Faith, Grace (20)
35. Jacob, Jordan (20)
36. Jacob, Matthew (20)
37. Jaden, Jordan (20)
38. Alexander, Anthony (19)
39. Brandon, Bryan (19)
40. Emily, Sarah (19)
41. Ethan, Nathan (19)
42. Jacob, Joseph (19)
43. Jordan, Joshua (19)
44. Landon, Logan (19)
45. Olivia, Sophia (19)
46. Ashley, Emily (18)
47. Elizabeth, Emily (18)
48. Elizabeth, Katherine (18)
49. Jeremy, Joshua (18)
50. John, Joseph (18)
51. Nathan, Noah (18)
52. Nicholas, Noah (18)
53. Nicholas, Zachary (18)
54. Alexander, Christopher (17)
55. Christopher, Michael (17)
56. Jacob, Zachary (17)
57. Jason, Justin (17)
58. Abigail, Allison (16)
59. Amy, Emily (16)
60. Andrew, Nicholas (16)
61. Benjamin, William (16)
62. Christopher, Nicholas (16)
63. Ella, Ethan (16)
64. Gabriella, Isabella (16)
65. Isabella, Sophia (16)
66. Jeremiah, Joshua (16)
67. Megan, Morgan (16)
68. Samuel, Sophia (16)
69. Aidan, Ava (15)
70. Alexander, Alexis (15)
71. Andrew, Anthony (15)
72. Andrew, Ethan (15)
73. Andrew, William (15)
74. Ava, Olivia (15)
75. Caleb, Jacob (15)
76. Jacob, Nicholas (15)
77. Jacob, Ryan (15)
78. Jake, Luke (15)
79. Jayden, Jordan (15)
80. John, William (15)
81. Mark, Matthew (15)
82. Natalie, Nathan (15)
83. Nathaniel, Nicholas (15)
84. Ryan, Tyler (15)
85. Abigail, Emily (14)
86. Anna, Emma (14)
87. Anthony, Michael (14)
88. Anthony, Nicholas (14)
89. Austin, Justin (14)
90. Benjamin, Jacob (14)
91. Brian, Brianna (14)
92. Christopher, Matthew (14)
93. Daniel, Samuel (14)
94. Gabriel, Michael (14)
95. Haley, Hannah (14)
96. Jada, Jaden (14)
97. Jayden, Jaylen (14)
98. Jonathan, Joseph (14)
99. Kyle, Ryan (14)
100. Logan, Lucas (14)
101. Logan, Luke (14)
102. Matthew, Ryan (14)
103. Parker, Payton (14)
104. Parker, Peyton (14)
105. Reagan, Riley (14)
106. Tanner, Tyler (14)

Similarities in the 2005 rankings:

  • #11 and #95 are “Hailey, Hannah” and “Haley, Hannah.”
  • #27 and #39 are “Brandon, Brian” and “Brandon, Bryan.”
  • #37 and #79 are “Jaden, Jordan” and “Jayden, Jordan.”
  • #103 and #104 are “Parker, Payton” and “Parker, Peyton.”

Sources:

Image: Adapted from FraternalTwins by MultipleParent under CC BY-SA 3.0.

[Latest update: Mar. 2024]

Popular baby names in Ireland, 2012

Flag of Ireland
Flag of Ireland


The most popular baby names in Ireland came out a few days ago.

According to the Central Statistics Office, the country’s top names are Emily for girls and Jack for boys.

Here are the top 100 girl names and top 100 boy names of 2012:

Girl Names

  1. Emily
  2. Sophie
  3. Emma
  4. Grace
  5. Lily
  6. Mia
  7. Ella
  8. Ava
  9. Lucy
  10. Sarah
  11. Aoife
  12. Amelia
  13. Hannah
  14. Katie
  15. Chloe
  16. Caoimhe
  17. Saoirse
  18. Kate
  19. Holly
  20. Ruby
  21. Sophia
  22. Anna
  23. Lauren
  24. Leah
  25. Amy
  26. Isabelle
  27. Molly
  28. Ellie
  29. Jessica
  30. Olivia
  31. Roisin
  32. Ciara
  33. Kayla
  34. Julia [tie]
  35. Zoe [tie]
  36. Laura
  37. Niamh
  38. Abbie
  39. Erin
  40. Rachel
  41. Robyn
  42. Aisling
  43. Faye
  44. Rebecca
  45. Eva [tie]
  46. Layla [tie]
  47. Ellen
  48. Cara
  49. Freya
  50. Abigail [tie]
  51. Eve [tie]
  52. Isabella [tie]
  53. Megan
  54. Aine [tie]
  55. Clodagh [tie]
  56. Aoibhinn
  57. Millie
  58. Nicole
  59. Aoibheann
  60. Maja
  61. Sadhbh
  62. Eabha
  63. Charlotte
  64. Amber [tie]
  65. Caitlin [tie]
  66. Sofia [tie]
  67. Alannah
  68. Zara
  69. Alice
  70. Maria
  71. Elizabeth [tie]
  72. Lena [tie]
  73. Mary [tie]
  74. Emilia
  75. Aimee [tie]
  76. Lilly [tie]
  77. Hollie
  78. Aoibhe
  79. Victoria
  80. Eimear [tie]
  81. Maya [tie]
  82. Isabel [tie]
  83. Orla [tie]
  84. Evie
  85. Kayleigh
  86. Brooke [tie]
  87. Clara [tie]
  88. Meabh
  89. Lexi
  90. Tara
  91. Daisy [tie]
  92. Katelyn [tie]
  93. Ailbhe [tie]
  94. Amelie [tie]
  95. Natalia [tie]
  96. Sara [tie]
  97. Hanna [tie]
  98. Laoise [tie]
  99. Ruth [tie]
  100. Madison [tie]
  101. Maeve [tie]
  102. Maisie [tie]
  103. Rose [tie]

Boy Names

  1. Jack
  2. James
  3. Daniel
  4. Sean
  5. Conor
  6. Adam
  7. Harry
  8. Ryan
  9. Dylan
  10. Michael
  11. Luke
  12. Charlie
  13. Liam
  14. Oisin
  15. Cian
  16. Jamie
  17. Thomas
  18. Alex
  19. Noah
  20. Darragh
  21. Patrick
  22. Aaron
  23. Cillian
  24. Matthew
  25. John
  26. Nathan
  27. David [tie]
  28. Fionn [tie]
  29. Evan
  30. Ethan
  31. Jake
  32. Kyle
  33. Rian
  34. Ben [tie]
  35. Max [tie]
  36. Eoin
  37. Tadhg
  38. Finn
  39. Callum
  40. Samuel
  41. Joshua
  42. Rory
  43. Jayden
  44. Joseph
  45. Tyler
  46. Sam
  47. Shane
  48. Mark [tie]
  49. Robert [tie]
  50. Aidan
  51. William
  52. Ronan
  53. Eoghan
  54. Alexander [tie]
  55. Leon [tie]
  56. Cathal
  57. Mason
  58. Tom
  59. Oliver
  60. Andrew
  61. Oscar
  62. Ciaran
  63. Bobby
  64. Jacob
  65. Senan
  66. Rhys
  67. Scott
  68. Benjamin [tie]
  69. Cormac [tie]
  70. Kevin
  71. Lucas
  72. Alan
  73. Donnacha [tie]
  74. Jakub [tie]
  75. Christopher
  76. Filip [tie]
  77. Killian [tie]
  78. Josh
  79. Alfie
  80. Tommy
  81. Ruairi
  82. Odhran
  83. Oran
  84. Leo
  85. Isaac
  86. Dara [tie]
  87. Jason [tie]
  88. Zach
  89. Martin [tie]
  90. Peter [tie]
  91. Brian
  92. Danny
  93. Niall [tie]
  94. Tomas [tie]
  95. Edward [tie]
  96. Stephen [tie]
  97. Logan
  98. Kacper
  99. Anthony
  100. Billy

New to the top 100 list are Isaac, Danny and Logan for boys and Evie, Amelie, Hanna, Maisie and Rose for girls.

Some of the specifically Irish names in the top 100 are…

  • Girls: Aoife, Caoimhe, Saoirse, Roisin, Ciara, Niamh, Aisling, Aine, Clodagh, Aoibhinn, Aoibheann, Sadhbh, Eabha, Aoibhe, Eimear, Meabh, Ailbhe, Laoise, Maeve
  • Boys: Liam, Oisin, Cian, Darragh, Cillian, Fionn, Rian, Eoin, Tadhg, Finn, Callum, Rory, Ronan, Eoghan, Cathal, Ciaran, Senan, Cormac, Donnacha, Ruairi, Odhran, Niall

Sources: Jack and Emily most popular baby names, Irish Babies’ Names – CSO

Image: Adapted from Flag of Ireland (public domain)

How did Alex Haley’s “Roots” influence baby names in 1977?

The character Kunta Kinte (played by LeVar Burton) from the TV miniseries "Roots" (1977)
Kunta Kinte from “Roots“

In late 1976, Alex Haley’s best-selling novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family was published.

The book — which tells a sweeping, multi-generational tale that lasts from the mid-1700s to the mid-1800 — begins with the story of Kunta Kinte, a Mandinka teenager who was captured in Africa, transported via slave ship to North America, and sold to a Virginia plantation owner.

In January of 1977, an 8-episode miniseries based on the novel aired on television for 8 consecutive nights (on ABC).

The televised version of Roots was wildly popular, earning 9 Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, a Peabody, and some of the highest Nielsen ratings of all time.

It also had an unprecedented influence on baby names, inspiring thousands African-American parents to name their babies after Roots characters and actors. Below are some examples.

Kizzy, Levar, Kunta & Kinte

The characters Kizzy (played by Leslie Uggams) and Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton) from the TV miniseries "Roots" (1977).
Kizzy and Kunta Kinte from “Roots“

According to the U.S. baby name data, the top debut names of 1977 were Kizzy and Levar.

Kizzy came from the character Kizzy, daughter of Kunta Kinte, who was featured during the middle episodes of the series.

  • 1979: 269 baby girls named Kizzy [rank: 648th]
  • 1978: 456 baby girls named Kizzy [rank: 439th]
  • 1977: 1,115 baby girls named Kizzy [rank: 223rd] [debut]
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: unlisted

So far, Kizzy’s 1977 debut is the highest baby name debut ever.

During the scene in which the newborn Kizzy is named, Kunta Kinte says, “Girl, your name is Kizzy. […] Your name means ‘stay put,’ but it don’t mean ‘stay a slave.’ It will never mean that!”

Here’s how one Florida couple, who welcomed a baby girl in early 1977, decided to name their daughter Kizzy:

“I identified with Kunta Kinte, and I thought the name Kizzy was a way I could express that,” said Willie Parker of Carol City, a Miami suburb.

His wife, Carrie, initially wanted to name their new daughter Nicole. But Parker said he was especially moved by the scene from the television series in which Kinte names his child and then raises her to the stars and tells her to behold the only thing greater than herself. So, he persuaded his wife to name their child Kizzy.

The names Kizzie, Kizzi, Kizzey, Lakizzy and Kizi also got a boost in 1977. (The last four were debuts.)

Levar came from actor LeVar Burton, who played the young version of protagonist Kunta Kinte in the first two episodes of the miniseries.

  • 1979: 175 baby boys named Levar [rank: 645th]
  • 1978: 254 baby boys named Levar [rank: 512th]
  • 1977: 523 baby boys named Levar [rank: 343rd] [debut]
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: unlisted

The names Lavar, Levarr, Lavarr and Lavare also got a boost in 1977. (The last three were debuts.)

The characters Omoro and Kunta Kinte from the TV miniseries "Roots" (1977)
Omoro and baby Kunta Kinte from “Roots“

Kunta not only debuted in 1977, but it popped into the top 1,000 for the first and only time that year as well.

  • 1979: 16 baby boys named Kunta
  • 1978: 52 baby boys named named Kunta
  • 1977: 215 baby boys named Kunta [rank: 572nd] [debut]
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: unlisted

Kinte also reached the top 1,000 for the first and only time in 1977, after debuting the year before.

  • 1979: 6 baby boys named Kinte
  • 1978: 38 baby boys named Kinte
  • 1977: 104 baby boys named Kinte [rank: 839th]
  • 1976: 5 baby boys named Kinte [debut]
  • 1975: unlisted

The New York Times reported in March of 1977 that a young couple from Harlem, John and Nefhertiti Reid, had welcomed a baby boy on February 18 and named him Kunta Kinte Reid. He was “one of 20 newborn black boys and girls in New York City last month who were given the names Kunta Kinte or Kizzy.”

Officials in the health departments of several cities reported that 15 babies last month had been named Kunta Kinte or Kizzy in Los Angeles, 10 in Detroit and eight in Atlanta. In Cleveland, male and female twins were named after the two characters.

Related 1977 baby name debuts include Kuntakinte, Kinta, Quinte, and Kunte.

Fanta, Jitu, Kairaba, Lamin, Omoro & Yaisa

Here are some other Roots-related debuts I’ve noticed.

Fanta, the name of a woman captured and enslaved along with Kunta Kinte (in the miniseries, not in the book):

  • 1979: 31 baby girls named Fanta
  • 1978: 34 baby girls named Fanta
  • 1977: 66 baby girls named Fanta [debut]
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: unlisted

Jitu, from Ji-Tu Cumbuka, the name of the actor who played a wrestler in the miniseries:

  • 1979: unlisted
  • 1978: unlisted
  • 1977: 7 baby boys named Jitu [debut & one-hit wonder]
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: unlisted

Kairaba, the name of Kunta Kinte’s grandfather:

  • 1979: unlisted
  • 1978: unlisted
  • 1977: 8 baby boys named Kairaba [debut & one-hit wonder]
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: unlisted

Lamin, the name of Kunta Kinte’s brother:

  • 1979: unlisted
  • 1978: 7 baby boys named Lamin
  • 1977: 12 baby boys named Lamin [debut]
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: unlisted

Omoro, the name of Kunta Kinte’s father:

  • 1979: 8 baby boys named Omoro
  • 1978: 11 baby boys named Omoro
  • 1977: 19 baby boys named Omoro [debut]
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: unlisted

Yaisa, the name of Kunta Kinte’s grandmother:

  • 1979: 6 baby girls named Yaisa
  • 1978: 11 baby girls named Yaisa
  • 1977: 17 baby girls named Yaisa [debut]
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: unlisted

Binta, Haley & Toby

These names, already seeing enough usage nationally to appear in the U.S. baby name data, were influenced by Roots as well. Two got a boost, but the third did not…

Binta, the name of Kunta Kinte’s mother:

  • 1979: 10 baby girls named Binta
  • 1978: 11 baby girls named Binta
  • 1977: 16 baby girls named Binta
  • 1976: unlisted
  • 1975: 5 baby girls named Binta

Haley, from Alex Haley, the name of the author:

  • 1979: 512 baby girls named Haley [rank: 414th]
  • 1978: 516 baby girls named Haley [rank: 398th]
  • 1977: 462 baby girls named Haley [rank: 442nd]
  • 1976: 117 baby girls named Haley
  • 1975: 110 baby girls named Haley

Toby, the name given to Kunta Kinte by the plantation owner:

  • 1981: 458 baby boys named Toby [rank: 375th]
  • 1980: 648 baby boys named Toby [rank: 304th]
  • 1979: 666 baby boys named Toby [rank: 299th]
  • 1978: 884 baby boys named Toby [rank: 239th]
  • 1977: 1,060 baby boys named Toby [rank: 209th]
  • 1976: 1,095 baby boys named Toby [rank: 201st]

The usage of Toby declined quickly after Roots aired. Was it already on its way out? Was it pulled down by the slave-name association? Both?

Vereen

And finally, the name Vereen.

Though it did not return to the data when Roots aired, “[o]ne family in Detroit named their child Vereen, apparently for actor Ben Vereen, who in the television show portrayed Kizzy’s son, Chicken George.”

Sources:

Images: Two screenshots of Roots and a clipping from Ebony magazine (Jun. 1977)

Popular baby names in Jamaica, 2008

Flag of Jamaica
Flag of Jamaica

According to the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) of Jamaica, these were the island’s most popular baby names in 2008:

Girl names

  1. Brihanna
  2. Rhianna
  3. Ashley
  4. Gabrielle
  5. Abigail

Boy names

  1. Daniel
  2. Joshua
  3. Jordan
  4. Ricardo
  5. Anthony

Why am I posting rankings from 2008? Well, this is the most recent set of rankings I could track down at the Jamaican Government’s website.

But the site does contain a few interesting facts. For instance, I didn’t know that adding “Ann” to girl names was once trendy in Jamaica:

In studying the naming patterns of Jamaicans, information from the RGD’s database reveal that more families between the period 1950’s to the mid 90’s gave their children traditional Anglo-Saxon names. It should be noted however that most of these female names included the name Ann.

For instance in the United States and the UK where Lisa, Nicole, Kimberly and Carrie are names which dominated the late 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s, the Jamaican twist to these names are Nicole-Ann, Kerry Ann and Lisa Ann.

The site also mentions that…

  • At least 48 babies were named Charlie in the three months following Hurricane Charlie, which hit Jamaica in August of 1951.
  • 10 babies were named Gilbert in the nine months following Hurricane Gilbert, which hit Jamaica in September of 1988. (This includes two babies born on the day of the hurricane.)
  • At least 20 babies were named Usain following “the historic performance of Usain Bolt at the Olympics and the recently concluded World Games.”
  • Babies started being named Obama following “the historic election of the first African American President in the United States.”

Source: Naming Your Child the Jamaican Way – RGD – Government of Jamaica

Image: Adapted from Flag of Jamaica (public domain)