2007 Most Popular Baby Names

[Christine]

Emily, Jacob most popular baby names

Only one name — Elizabeth — is new to the top-10 list, agency says

Emily, Jacob most popular baby names - Kids and parenting - MSNBC.com

The Associated Press

updated 2:17 p.m. ET, Sat., May. 10, 2008

WASHINGTON - Emily again topped the list of most popular baby girl names last year, registering as No. 1 for the 12th straight time. Jacob led among names for boys for the ninth year in a row.

 

New parents didn't stray far from past habits in 2007 when naming their babies. Only one name — Elizabeth — is new to the top-10 list, returning after a two-year absence. Samantha, which previously ranked 10th, dropped to No. 12, according to the latest list released Saturday by the Social Security Administration.

 

Biblical names continued to dominate the boys' list. Besides Jacob, other top picks for boys were Michael, Joshua and Matthew.

 

For girls, Isabella, Emma and Ava came after Emily, which has been the most popular female name since 1996.

 

Rounding out the top 10 for girls, in order, were Madison, Sophia, Olivia, Abigail, Hannah and Elizabeth.

 

The list for boys also includes Ethan, Daniel, Christopher, Anthony, William and Andrew.

 

Name experts have said the staying power of the top names may have something to do with appealing to multiple ethnic or religious groups and having no widespread negative connotations. Emily also has literary associations, including Emily Dickinson, evoking images of a woman who is both beautiful and smart, professors say.

 

Twin picks

For male twins, parents were most likely to combine Jacob with Joshua, Matthew with Michael and Daniel with David. The most popular combination for female twins was Ella and Emma.

 

 

Also popular in 2007 were names for girls that were based on spiritual and philosophical concepts. Rising to No. 31 was Nevaeh, or "heaven" spelled backwards; it previously ranked 43rd. Also represented in 2007 were Destiny at 41; Trinity at 72; Serenity at 126; Harmony at 315 and Miracle at 461. Cutting against the trend was Armani at 971.

 

Parents were less likely to name their sons based on spiritual concepts, although the 2007 list includes Sincere at 622 and Messiah at 723.

 

Social Security began compiling the name lists in 1997.

 

 

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[Christine]

I love the name Elizabeth but my Hubby was really set on Ainsleigh, how funny that I love all the popular names.

[Jackie]

Oh Christine I have to agree with your hubby on this one. I love the name Ainsleigh. I dont love Elizabeth at all but aparently I'm in the minority on that one.

[Christine]

oh I always liked Ainsleigh, I just hope she doesn't spend a lifetime correcting people since its such a different name.

[Jackie]

She might but it will be worth it because its such a pretty name.

Do you think she will have any nicknames like Leigh or anything? I also like Leigh, how do you feel about the posible nicknames?

[Christine]

that's what my mom asked me, I think she could go by Leigh, but I think it all depends on her personality. I was named Christine so I could have tons of nicknames and never went by anything else so I figure I will stick with Ainsleigh until something just sorta comes about-if it ever does.

[Jackie]

Your right I could never imagine you being a Chrissy or Chirsty or Chirs you are definitly a Christine. Good idea to just wait and see what will eventually fit her personality.

[NHPT]

i love ainsleigh.........my husband totally loved that character on west wing!

[Christine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NHPT i love ainsleigh.........my husband totally loved that character on west wing!

that's where he got it from, which is funny because my hubby is very very liberal and she was the only republican main character, but I guess her hottness takes away from her conservative nature...

[JennyK]

The girls names ring true. I know MANY Sofia's born last year.. I'm not really a fan of the name but it's become SO popular.