The TV series “Bones” was on the air from 2005 to 2017, though the most popular years were 2008-2011 (seasons four, five and six).
I’ve never seen the show, but the first names of the two main characters — Seeley Booth (male) and Temperance'”Bones” Brennan (female) — are intriguing, and they made me wonder: did Bones inspire parents to use these names more often for their babies?
Yup, it would seem so!
Here are the numbers for Seeley since 2005:
- 2018: 38 baby boys and 7 baby girls named Seeley
- 2017: 36 baby boys and 14 baby girls named Seeley
- 2016: 40 baby boys and 15 baby girls named Seeley [peak]
- 2015: 37 baby boys and 15 baby girls named Seeley
- 2014: 28 baby boys and 7 baby girls named Seeley
- 2013: 38 baby boys and 8 baby girls named Seeley
- 2012: 36 baby boys and 11 baby girls named Seeley
- 2011: 32 baby boys and 12 baby girls named Seeley
- 2010: 34 baby boys and 9 baby girls named Seeley
- 2009: 10 baby boys and 8 baby girls named Seeley
- 2008: unlisted
- 2007: 7 baby girls named Seeley
- 2006: unlisted
- 2005: unlisted
And here are the numbers for Temperance since 2005:
- 2018: 163 baby girls named Temperance
- 2017: 190 baby girls named Temperance
- 2016: 233 baby girls named Temperance
- 2015: 250 baby girls named Temperance
- 2014: 322 baby girls named Temperance [rank: 854th]
- 2013: 289 baby girls named Temperance [rank: 889th]
- 2012: 320 baby girls named Temperance [rank: 835th]
- 2011: 274 baby girls named Temperance [rank: 943rd]
- 2010: 213 baby girls named Temperance
- 2009: 165 baby girls named Temperance
- 2008: 88 baby girls named Temperance
- 2007: 76 baby girls named Temperance
- 2006: 20 baby girls named Temperance
- 2005: 8 baby girls named Temperance
I’m a bit surprised by Temperance. Short virtue names like Faith, Grace, Hope and Joy are alive and well, but most of the long virtue names — especially those like Temperance (e.g., Abstinence, Experience, Deliverance, Diligence, Innocence, Obedience, Perseverance, Providence, Reliance, Repentance, Silence) — are not. Only Patience, Constance and Prudence are still around, and they aren’t exactly stylish right now.
How do you feel about the name Temperance?
Sources: Bones (TV series) – Wikipedia, SSA
[Latest update: June 2020]