The top 1000 baby names for 2019 are out, and the naming community is buzzing! After so much build-up for this data due to the postponement caused by Covid-19, I am thrilled to be able to write a series about it. The first part of this five article series is a brief review of our new victors: the elite top ten. Although there weren’t any massive changes this year, there’s still a new queen bee over on team pink, a surprising swap for #10 on the boys’ side, and some not-so shocking shifting within the top ten squad.
And the Winners are... The Top Three
I wasn’t doubting that Emma and Liam would remain name royalty in 2019 data, since the two have held the #1 spot together for 2017 and 2018, but I was proven wrong. Following in the footsteps of the name stats across the pond, Emma was replaced by Olivia. With Olivia belonging to just over one percent of the baby girls born in 2019 while Emma was used for just under that amount, the nickname-rich O- name defeated the British literary moniker this year. Just 1349 babies separated Olivia from her opponent, but in the end, she prevailed and snatched the crown from the previous monarch. Olivia takes her place besides Liam, who remains in the #1 spot (though I don’t doubt that he’ll fall next year, probably to Oliver).
Again, the boys remain untouched for the second rank as well, with biblical Noah still accepting #2. With Olivia pushing Emma back, she was forced to take a fall, but not a hard one. Emma dropped to #2 and now sits alongside Noah. I doubt either of the second place names are going anywhere but down next year, although anything can happen. William took a fall from his last position of #3 to land at #4 this year and was replaced by the fast-climbing Oliver, who I can easily see jumping all the way to #1 in a few years, flanked by Liam and Noah at second and third. Oliver’s already earned #1 status in Britain and has done nothing but leap up the charts for the past few years. To get to #3, Oliver hopped over James at #4, who has now fallen to #6. To my surprise, Ava maintained her #3 spot, contrary to my prediction. However, I still stand by my initial thought that she won’t last much longer in the top three.
Changes Within the 2018 Top Ten and the Fight for #10
This year’s top ten wasn’t exactly the most riveting in terms of replacements, with the same 10 names occupying the girls’ top ten and only one change within the boys’ list, but there was some activity within the top ten we had last year. As I said before, William, Benjamin, and James, three top ten classics, took quite the fall this year while Oliver soared past. Elijah jumped to take Oliver’s spot and claimed #5, thanks to the nickname Eli and the growing appreciation for softer boy names that end in -a. For the girls, there was Olivia and Emma’s swap as well as a shift between #5 and #6. Previously, Isabella held the #5 spot, but Sophia snagged it this year, pushing her rival down to #6. Unsurprisingly, Amelia, one of the hottest girl names today, jumped ahead of sound-alike Mia. The “A” beginning and feminine sound has been propelling Amelia up the charts for the past few years, and 2019 hasn’t proved any different.
While there wasn’t much competition deeper into the top ten, the names on the edge were fighting to keep their spot. Namely, Logan, 2018’s #10. Logan plummeted to #16 this year, and I would’ve never predicted the name that would take his place: Ethan. Because of Ethan’s popularity in the 2000s, I thought that Ethan would fall, looked at as a dated choice. Instead, Ethan jumped two spots to claim his place in the top ten once again.
My Favorites: Personal Top Three (Of The Top Ten)
For boys, I find myself quite torn. None of the names in the top ten for team blue are my usual style, but I admire the charm of Oliver and would give him second place in my book. James is a lovely classic, so I would probably put him just below Oliver, at #3. Elijah would have to be my #1, just because of my love for Eli and the sweet and soft ending. For girls, I think that Charlotte has to be first because I love her British flavor and timeless but spunky feel. After Charlotte would come Evelyn, which I am quite torn about. On one hand, I despise the -lyn ending in most cases, but Evelyn feels very established and kind, so I would give her #2. Although Amelia is a little frilly for me, I do think it’s a lovely name with a great namesake in Earhart and the adorable nickname Millie. This new data has certainly proven to have some lovely names so far, so stick around to see the next article in this series!
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
Look out for more articles in the series in the future!
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