Most Popular Baby Names of 2009

The Most Popular Baby Names of 2009: The Triumph of Isabella

by The Name Lady (Subscribe to The Name Lady’s posts) May 7th 2010 12:00PM

The U.S. government has announced the nation’s most popular baby names. America, here’s your Top 10:

Boys:

1. Jacob

2. Ethan

3. Michael

4. Alexander

5. William

6. Joshua

7. Daniel

8. Jayden

9. Noah

10 Anthony

Girls:

1. Isabella

2. Emma

3. Olivia

4. Sophia

5. Ava

6. Emily

7. Madison

8. Abigail

9. Chloe

10. Mia

The big news is Isabella, ending a 13-year run of Em- names — Emily and Emma — at the top of the girls’ charts. It’s not a surprising development. Isabella has ranked in the top 10 since 2004, with countless other -bella names trailing in its wake. The Twilight phenomenon can’t hurt, either. (Team Edward can’t be pleased seeing Jacob and Isabella as king and queen of the baby name prom.) And Isabella has been one of the hottest names for Hollywood babies, too.

So the name itself isn’t a surprise. The amazing part is the way it took the crown: with a huge surge up to 22,000 babies born, thousands more than the year before. As a rule, mega-hit names just don’t do that. For decades, the popularity of the top names has been dropping, as modern parents try to make their kids’ names stand out. Even more amazing, Isabella beat out Jacob to become America’s true #1 name. That makes it the first female champion since Linda edged James all the way back in 1940. You go, girl.

What do you think of America’s favorite names?

1. LauraLast says:

   May 10, 2010 at 6:57 pm

   I do know a TON of baby Isabellas… and most are named Isabella Grace.
2. Holly, NMO Founder says:

   May 10, 2010 at 8:50 pm

   These lists played a huge part in the selection of my daughters name and no doubt will be influential in choosing my next childs name. I don’t want my child to have to be referred to as Jacob W. =)

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