Choosing a name for your baby can be a difficult task, especially if you and your partner can’t agree! Many people take inspiration from names in their family or even great works of literature. Trends come and go with new names popping up on the 'most popular' lists. Sometimes, a very traditional baby name that has gone out of favor inexplicably becomes popular again. Celebrity names also influence popularity. One wonders how many babies will be named Harry, Ron, or Hermione in the near future, given the success of the Harry Potter books and films.
The Top 10 Names in the USA of 2008 are as follows:
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Baby Names For Boys:
- Aiden
- Jayden
- Ethan
- Jacob
- Caden
- Jackson
- Noah
- Jack
- Logan
- Matthew
There are some good old Biblical names there. Aiden, the number one choice, is Gaelic in origin and the meaning is ‘Little Fire’. Caden is Welsh in origin and means 'Battle'. The appearance of Jayden may have something to do with Britney Spears’ son, who was born in 2006. Five of the names on the list are Hebrew in origin.
Baby Names For Girls:
- Emma
- Sophia
- Madison
- Isabella
- Olivia
- Ava
- Madeline
- Addison
- Haley
- Lily
Emma, the number one choice, is German in origin and the meaning is 'Universal'. Madison, at number three, was virtually unknown as a name before 1985 and its popularity since then is thought to be because of the mermaid character in the movie, 'Splash', starring Daryl Hannah. Madeline derives from Saint Mary Magdalene.
The most popular baby names 100 years previously, in 1908, were John and Mary. Other boys’ names in the top ten include Walter, Albert, and Clarence. The girls’ list includes Mildred, Florence, Ethel, Edna, and Gertrude. These names may come back some day, you never can tell!
Finally, just spare a thought for the children of some celebrities. The actor, Nicholas Cage named his child, Kal-El, the Krypton name for Superman. Zowie Bowie is the offspring of David Bowie (he prefers to be known as Duncan!) Bob Geldof, the musician and campaigner, has three daughters, named Fifi-Trixibelle, Peaches Honeyblossom, and Pixie. It’s a far cry from Gertrude and Ethel!