Boys Names 1960-2012
Last week, I noted a post from Jezebel showing the popularity of girls names over the past 52 years. Today, they’ve done something similar for boys names.
It starts in 1960 with David at the top of the list:
It appears that this was the end of the run for David, though, because within a mere five years Michael was dominating the land:
Michael’s dominance continued for some 30 years until Jacob started to take over, although his dominance hasn’t lasted for long as a slew of other names seem to be taking hold in various parts of the country, although Michael still seems to have a redoubt in New York, New Jersey, and Delaware:
As with last week’s post, there is a pretty cool animated GIF at the link showing all of this.
I was a Michael when it was cool, now my son is a Jacob when that’s cool. Always on top of the trends, man. Ridin’ the cool wave.
Just look at all the states that have gone “Mason” and of course Florida goes “Jayden.”
I think Michael has a deeper foothold in NY and NJ because it’s a very popular name for people of Italian ancestry. My family, for example, where my grandfather, uncle, cousin, and I are Michael, and a female cousin married a Michael. Calling out “Hey Mike” at a family gathering results in several simultaneous affirmative responses.
It’s fascinating to watch the spread from the initial point of infection. Epidemiology in action.
I’m reminded of Connie Willis’s novel Bellwether.
During my childhood Michael and James were the most popular but I didn’t have a single Michael in my class and there was only one James.
My sons are supposed to be surrounded by Jacobs but there aren’t that many. Would love to see a county by county map-in our town Devin and Kyle would he king.
I have yet to meet a Liam.
What ever happened to Junior, Bubba, and Buddy? Those used to be popular around here.
“My name is Bocephus” (Hank Willliams Jr.)
“My name is Sue” (Cash)
Where on earth did Lliam come from in your Pacific Northwest?
What “Quatswaddle” didn’t make the list?