50+ Lifestyles

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY – Rock Island, Illinois Office

By Cristina Vital
Manager
Rock Island Social Security office

Noah Floats to the Top; Jacob Had Held Top Spot Since 1999

Noah and Sophia are America’s most popular baby names for 2013. First time atop the list is Noah, the first new boy’s name at number one since 1960 other than Jacob or Michael, and the third straight year for Sophia. This is huge news in the world of baby names, with Noah rising to the top, unseating Jacob. Proving to be America’s favorite before the 2014 Russell Crowe movie Noah climbed atop the box office charts! There is only one new name in the top 10 this year—Daniel, but he has been there before. Also, be on the lookout for another Sophia crawling up the list—Sofia with an “f” has reached her highest spot ever at number 13.

Here are the top 10 boys and girls names for 2013:

Boys: Girls:
1) Noah 1) Sophia
2) Liam 2) Emma
3) Jacob 3) Olivia
4) Mason 4) Isabella
5) William 5) Ava
6) Ethan 6) Mia
7) Michael 7) Emily
8) Alexander 8) Abigail
9) Jayden 9) Madison
10) Daniel 10) Elizabeth

For all the top baby names of 2013, go to Social Security’s website, www.socialsecurity.gov.

The birth of a child is a wonderful time for families. While having fun with the baby names list, Acting Commissioner Carolyn. W. Colvin encourages everyone to visit the agency’s website and create a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov.

The agency began compiling the baby name list in 1997, with names dating to back to 1880. At the time of a child’s birth, parents supply the name to the agency when applying for a child’s Social Security card, thus making Social Security America’s source for the most popular baby names.

Each year, the list reveals the effect of pop-culture on naming trends. This year’s winners for biggest jump in popularity in the Top 1,000 are Jayceon and Daleyza. The fastest riser for boys, Jayceon, gained popularity as it is the birth name of VH1’s cable reality series “Marrying The Game” star and award-winning rapper “The Game.” The show follows the life of Jayceon “The Game” Taylor, as a rapper and father of three. The show premiered in late 2012 and obviously had its effect on naming trends throughout 2013.

On the girls’ side, Daleyza, may have been influenced by a popular Spanish-language cable TV series, “Larrymania,” which airs on mun2. Daleyza is the young daughter of Larry Hernandez, an American regional Mexican singer and reality TV star. The name increased in popularity by more than 3,000 spots, so the show undoubtedly had an influence.

The second fastest riser for boys was Milan, and for girls, Marjorie. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov to view the entire list.