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Baby name trends come and go, but there are a handful of names that are basically timeless. The Social Security Administration has been recording name popularity since way back in 1880, and six names have remained in the top 50 every year.
Dr. Hannah Emery, a sociologist and self-described “colossal name nerd,” explains that names are “expressions of identity that vary based on social groups, gender, culture and socioeconomic background.” But despite all of those variables, these six have stayed at the top of the chart for all 145 years:
- David
- James
- John
- Joseph
- William
- Elizabeth
Emery points out that three of the names - John, James and William - have been in the top 20 for the entire time.
Why are there so many boy names and just one girl name? According to this expert, boys are more likely to be named after relatives, so “boy names are going to wiggle around a lot less.” Plus, she says there are just fewer boy options to choose from. But with girls, parents felt like they could choose a name they liked instead of using a “legacy” family name, so girl names have risen and fallen in popularity more frequently.
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