Top one-hit wonder baby names in the U.S. data, 1880 to today

single flower

The Social Security Administration’s annual baby name list only includes names given to 5 or more U.S. babies, of either one gender or the other, per year.

Most rare names never make the list, but a select group have appeared a single time. I like to call these the one-hit wonder baby names.

One-hit wonders tend to pop up with a relatively low number of babies — 5 or 6 — but a handful are given to dozens of babies…only to disappear again the next year! Pretty intriguing, right?

Below are the highest-charting, gender-specific, one-hit wonder names since 1880. The format is: “Girl name(s), number of baby girls; Boy name(s), number of baby boys.”

  • 1880: none; Merida, 5
  • 1881: Zilpah, 9; Roll, 5
  • 1882: none; none
  • 1883: none; none
  • 1884: none; none
  • 1885: Lelie, 5; Ng & Sip, 5
  • 1886: Ottillie, 5; none
  • 1887: none; Pembroke, 5
  • 1888: Etelka & Pantha, 5; Bengiman, 5
  • 1889: Litta & Roxa, 5; Edw & Profit, 5
  • 1890: Modeste, 8; none
  • 1891: Dorilla & Euphemie, 5; Navajo, 5
  • 1892: none; Whitelaw & Wint, 5
  • 1893: Hedwige, 7; Pomp, 5
  • 1894: Onezia, 5; Bess, 5
  • 1895: Isal, 7; none
  • 1896: Phenie, 5; none
  • 1897: Phronie, 5; Rhoda, 7
  • 1898: Maine, 9; Schley, 10
  • 1899: Pellie, 5; none
  • 1900: Henrettia & Ursule, 6; Bruster, 5
  • 1901: Kinnie, 5; none
  • 1902: Azema & Lelea, 5; none
  • 1903: Pheobie, 7; none
  • 1904: Berthal, 6; none
  • 1905: Mintha, 5; Pioet, 5
  • 1906: Nellda, Ocey & Clevia, 5; none
  • 1907: Leecy, Odra & Oklahoma, 5; Lanham, 6
  • 1908: Artena, Essye, Malvie & Oshie, 5; none
  • 1909: Argatha, 5; none
  • 1910: Leneve, 7; Capus, 5
  • 1911: Gaither, 6; Caro & Lavette, 5
  • 1912: Gustina, Iras, Leavy & Senona, 6; Edlow, 7
  • 1913: Nixola & Oleane, 6; Gaillard & Rumsey, 6
  • 1914: Vica, 8; Secondo, 9
  • 1915: Desda & Vonie, 8; Zygmond, 10
  • 1916: Alvene, Bleeker, Cloteen, Deelda, Duffie, Iota, Maggielean, Matrona, Mealie, Mishie, Ortrude, Sirkka, Truma, Valasta, Valesta, Valrea & Ysobel, 6; Hafford, 9
  • 1917: Florenz & Lutrelle, 9; Annis, Clermont, Loddie, Onslow, Rosswell & Runar, 7
  • 1918: Theophila, 10; Hobby, 9
  • 1919: Johnniemae, 9; Lorrain, 10
  • 1920: Dardenella, 9; Mosby, 9
  • 1921: Garnelle, 11; Ive, 9
  • 1922: Donaldine, 12; Crafton, 9
  • 1923: Giovina & Varena, 8; Arbon, Birchel & Wolcott, 7
  • 1924: Klyda, 10; Modell, 9
  • 1925: Ivaline & Valoyce, 8; Evell & Walford, 8
  • 1926: Narice, 13; Lafon & Nola, 9
  • 1927: Genena, Milarain & Seroba, 8; Dalhart, Junor, Maclyn & Mutsuo, 8
  • 1928: Boneva, Geane, Lenard, Loeda & Louvene, 7; Dormon, Hearman, Hover & Shoso, 7
  • 1929: Miladeen, 9; Edsol, 8
  • 1930: Earnease, Lunelle, Magnola & Rhoena, 6; Elice, 7
  • 1931: Dixianna & Vergean, 7; Leroyce, 7
  • 1932: Dolorese, 9; Mannon, 7
  • 1933: Garnieta, 8; Vondal, 7
  • 1934: Delaris, Derene, Ervene, Myrline & Rheata, 6; Cardis, Carloss, Cleophes, Dockie, Exie, Pettus & Shelvie, 6
  • 1935: Nerita, 14; Deuel, 8
  • 1936: Arolyn & Verilea, 7; Rolyn, 8
  • 1937: Noreda, 17; Seavy, 6
  • 1938: Clione, 16; Dall & Vallee, 6
  • 1939: Melsa, 9; Karrol, 7
  • 1940: Lindola, 13; Willkie, 13
  • 1941: Shirey, 7; Saford, 11
  • 1942: Arvina, Floranne, Kaaran & Roine, 6; Macarther, 10
  • 1943: Jerdine, 7; Deming, Dilworth, Eugne, Keener, Rhodell, Rothwell & Sammul, 5
  • 1944: Carolsue, 11; Condy, Hennry, Lemmon & Persell, 5
  • 1945: Diedri, 10; Kermon, 6
  • 1946: Darlia, 13; Cotis, Dowl, Lohn, Rouldph, Royace, Sherryl, Speedy & Trudy, 5
  • 1947: Junellen, 12; Brookie; 7
  • 1948: Gwyned, 9; Beasley, 6
  • 1949: Jerrilyne, 9; Bradbury, Bradfield, Buckey, Hubie, Jubentino, Kurth, Nickola, Varnum & Waynne, 5
  • 1950: Gladystine, 9; Cresenciano, Frosty & Thurnell, 6
  • 1951: Glenalee & Lynnis, 9; Bronnie & Marvine, 8
  • 1952: Charliss, 7; Gevan, 12
  • 1953: Judalon, 11; Credell, Larrey & Uldis, 7
  • 1954: Lilette & Ufemia, 7; Corneall, Danail, Derf, Luann & Michie, 6
  • 1955: Dainette, 14; Christophel, 9
  • 1956: Tirrell, 13; Auddie & Naymon, 7
  • 1957: Theonita, 17; Melivn, 7
  • 1958: Deedy & Lanor, 8; Brete, 7
  • 1959: Carmelyn, 8; Tomm, 8
  • 1960: Devy, 27; Andamo, 15
  • 1961: Shurla, 17; Jefre, 21
  • 1962: Perette, 16; Daphne & Schell, 7
  • 1963: Chrysanne, 12; Darrayl & Daryell, 8
  • 1964: Deeneen, 12; Deneen & Kenndy, 7
  • 1965: Timolyn, 9; Alfonson & Marichal, 8
  • 1966: Agena, 15; Alfy, 15
  • 1967: Malette, 20; Antal, 8
  • 1968: Ondina, 15; Berto, Christoopher, Deith, Mardi, Redginald & Yoram, 6
  • 1969: Dameron, 15; Shoan, 9
  • 1970: Dardi, 14; Cosmos, 9
  • 1971: Anjanet, 9; Demea, 12
  • 1972: Tyhessia, 17; Christerphor, 8
  • 1973: Desheila, 18; Chandar, 13
  • 1974: Charnissa, 32; Sirica, 8
  • 1975: Russchelle, 24; Darweshi, Tchalla & Unborn, 8
  • 1976: Norlisha, 16; Lebrone, 8
  • 1977: Kashka, 16; Ebay, 12
  • 1978: Kushana, 23; Quarterrio & Travolta, 11
  • 1979: Kitzie, 27; Dilanjan & Terdell, 13
  • 1980: Nykeba, 26; Kimario, 13
  • 1981: Tijwana, 18; Cetric & Dharmesh, 8
  • 1982: Ebelina, 11; Chachi & Chezarae, 9
  • 1983: Shadava, 25; Tio, 12
  • 1984: Meghaan, 36; Quisto & Ragene, 9
  • 1985: Miceala, 16; Sophan, 8
  • 1986: Shaquenta, 13; Sarith, 11
  • 1987: Condola & Shayeeda, 12; Calbe, 9
  • 1988: Armisha, 16; Nattiel, 10
  • 1989:
    • Alexandr, 301; Christop, 1082 (glitch names)
    • Cesilie, 10; Madeleine, 10 (non-glitch names)
  • 1990: Jakkia & Shawnic, 16; Pajtim, 13
  • 1991: Deangelis & Jeniqua, 13; Quaysean, 11
  • 1992: Caleesha, 17; Kendrae, 11
  • 1993: Solmaira, 15; Shanquille, 9
  • 1994: Mccaela, 20; Dontonio, 11
  • 1995: Shieda, 14; Jamiroquan, 13
  • 1996: Sidea, 13; Jervontae, 12
  • 1997: Jachai, 10; Asbiel & Daytwon, 9
  • 1998: Rosisela, 14; Tamija, 14
  • 1999: Ukari, 16; Tyreace, 9
  • 2000: Daebreon & Jadakiss, 13; Zaykeese, 13
  • 2001: Joharis, 12; Kya, 13
  • 2002: Eshanti, 27; Albieri, 12
  • 2003: Saribel, 22; Amareion, 12
  • 2004: Janayra, 12; Mikayla & Quanye, 11
  • 2005: Milenka, 13; Johnbenedict, 14
  • 2006: Sarela, 26; Sunel, 14
  • 2007: Aidsa & Madelis, 30; Joset, 11
  • 2008: Yaindhi, 29; Jometh, 23
  • 2009: Shastelyn, 34; Tyten, 11
  • 2010: Rossibell, 17; Coopar, 14
  • 2011: Jocell, 31; Maurkice, 13
  • 2012: Jeiza, 12; Chander, Drexton, Dristan, Elimelec, Hadeed, Khodee & Vardhan, 8
  • 2013: Jennicka, 15; Jaiceion, 11
  • 2014: Hannaley, 21; Zacardi, 11
  • 2015: Nadyalee, 17; Jersen, 21

See anything interesting?

Some of the above — Narice (1926), Saford (1941), Gevan (1952) and Jefre (1961) — are also on the top debuts list.

P.S. I’ll come back every few years and update this list with the most recent pairs of names. In the meanwhile, for more one-hit wonder content, check out this list of interesting one-hit wonder baby names…

Image: Adapted from Solitary Poppy by Andy Beecroft under CC BY-SA 2.0.

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]

Fastest-rising girl names of all time in the U.S. baby name data

hot air balloons

Yesterday we looked at the fastest-rising boy names of all time, so today let’s look at the fastest-rising girl names.

Here are all the girl names that increased in popularity by more than 10,000 babies in a single year:

  1. Linda, +46,978 baby girls from 1946 to 1947
  2. Shirley, +19,514 baby girls from 1934 to 1935
  3. Ashley, +18,435 baby girls from 1982 to 1983
  4. Deborah, +12,954 baby girls from 1950 to 1951
  5. Mary, +12,842 baby girls from 1914 to 1915
  6. Jennifer, +12,455 baby girls from 1969 to 1970
  7. Amanda, +11,406 baby girls from 1978 to 1979
  8. Linda, +11,239 baby girls from 1945 to 1946
  9. Brittany, +10,969 baby girls from 1988 to 1989
  10. Michelle, +10,937 baby girls from 1965 to 1966
  11. Debra, +10,866 baby girls from 1950 to 1951
  12. Jennifer, +10,626 baby girls from 1970 to 1971
  13. Patricia, +10,452 baby girls from 1945 to 1946
  14. Cindy, +10,268 baby girls from 1956 to 1957
  15. Debra, +10,015 baby girls from 1952 to 1953

Linda is clearly the winner here.

Linda’s spike in 1947 is like the perfect storm of spikes. The name was already on the rise, and then the song “Linda” (1946) became a huge hit in mid-1947 — at the beginning of the post–WWII baby boom.

Several performers recorded the song, but the most successful rendition was the one sung by Buddy Clark (backed by Ray Noble’s orchestra):

If the song had been released just one year earlier — which is theoretically possible, as it was written in 1942 — the Linda spike might have been even bigger, as the largest one-year increase in births in U.S. history happened between 1945 and 1946.

The song “Linda” was created by songwriter Jack Lawrence at the request of his attorney, Lee Eastman, who wanted a song written for his 5-year-old daughter.

Being a good friend, I obliged and wrote a song for five-year-old Linda. When I made the rounds of publishers I met with frustration. Most of them like everything about the song but the name Linda. “Why Linda?” they would ask. “That’s not a popular name”. One guy said: “Call it Ida — after my mother-in-law and I’ll publish it”. I had to remind him there already was an “Ida — Sweet as Apple Cider!” Another maven suggested the name Mandy. He felt that had a more musical ring than Linda. I reminded him that Irving Berlin had thought so too, years ago he had written: “Mandy, There’s A Minister Handy”, etc.

Jack Lawrence stuck with Linda, and the song made musical (and baby name) history.

And 5-year-old Linda Eastman also made musical history, in a sense, by marrying Beatle Paul McCartney in the late 1960s.

Trivia question of the day: Only one girl name ever decreased in popularity by more than 10,000 baby girls over a one-year period. Can you guess the name?

P.S. One of the fastest-rising names of 1947, Jolinda, was no doubt riding on the coattails of Linda.

Sources: Linda – Jack Lawrence, Songwriter, List of Billboard number-one singles of 1947 – Wikipedia, SSA

Image: Adapted from Turkey-2036 by Dennis Jarvis under CC BY-SA 2.0.

[Latest update: May 2023]

Fastest-rising boy names of all time in the U.S. baby name data

hot air balloons

Every year, when I get the latest batch of baby name data, one of the things I check out is popularity change. And every year, as I do that analysis, I say to myself, “I wonder what the biggest popularity jumps of all time are…”

But I kept putting off the analysis. Mainly because it involved manipulating a large amount of data, and…I’m lazy.

Finally, a few weeks ago, I took a look. And I came up with a list of the all-time biggest (raw number, single-year) popularity increases of all time.

Today we’ll look at the boys’ list, and tomorrow we’ll look at the girls’ list.

Before we get into it, though, let me tell you why these lists aren’t so great. The raw numbers (which I’ve become used to focusing on) just don’t work well in this sort of analysis. The top names, as you’ll see, are simply popular names that got a lot more popular. Not very insightful.

I’ll post the lists anyway, but I’m already planning a do-over that focuses on percentage of increase. That ought to be a lot more interesting.

So, now that that’s out of the way, here are all the boy names that jumped by more than 10,000 babies in a single year:

  1. Robert, +14,194 baby boy from 1945 to 1946
  2. John, +13,131 baby boy from 1945 to 1946
  3. James, +12,993 baby boy from 1945 to 1946
  4. Richard, +12,828 baby boy from 1945 to 1946
  5. David, +11,381 baby boy from 1946 to 1947
  6. Michael, +11,268 baby boy from 1945 to 1946
  7. John, +11,140 baby boy from 1911 to 1912
  8. Jason, +10,788 baby boy from 1969 to 1970
  9. James, +10,450 baby boy from 1941 to 1942
  10. Nicholas, +10,274 baby boy from 1977 to 1978

Notice how neatly the top six correlate to the post-WWII baby boom.

Do you have any theories about the other four?

Trivia question of the day: Only one boy name ever decreased in popularity by more than 10,000 baby boys over a one-year period. Can you guess the name?

Image: Adapted from Turkey-2036 by Dennis Jarvis under CC BY-SA 2.0.