Parents can select from an almost limitless number of names when deciding upon one for their newborn. With all these options available, it may seem improbable that some names would happen to reign supreme for extended periods of time; however, there are some names that top the charts repeatedly. These names, for some unknown reason, hold special appeal and filter to the top of many parents’ lists of potential baby names.
Mary
The biblically inspired Mary is the most popular girls’ name ever, reports the Social Security Administration, or SSA. According to SSA records, Mary was the most popular name for an impressive 36 years, spanning from 1910 to 1946, and then again for another eight, from 1953 to 1961. Along with serving as a popular first name, the short nature of this also makes it a popular middle name choice.
Patricia
The feminine favorite Patricia took the number 2 spot on the TopBabyNamer.com survey of the top 100 baby names of all time. This name does not rest in the SSA’s current list of top girls’ names, but it is a classic favorite that often experiences a resurgence in popularity, keeping it on the top of many moms’ potential names lists.
Jennifer
A more modern feminine name favorite is Jennifer, which the SSA reports topped the list of most popular names for 14 years from 1970 to 1984. Since its fall from the top, this name has still proven popular, commonly resting in the top five on the popularity charts.
Michael
In the world of boys’ names, Michael reigns supreme, taking the top seat for an impressive 42 years, total. This name sat in the number one spot from 1954 to 1959 and again from 1961 to 1998, reports the SSA. When this name took its fall from the top in 1960, it only fell to the number two spot with the name David snapping up the number one crown.
Jacob
Modern moms appear to be fond of the name Jacob, as the name held the top boy name spot on the SSA’s list from 1999 to 2009. Prior to its string as the front runner, this name was consistently in the top 10, with many moms selecting it and its related nickname Jake as a good name for their babies.
James
James is a popular boy name, taking the number one spot in the TopBabyNamer.com list of top 100 names of all time. This classic name makes a popular first and middle name and, in many families, is a generational favorite connecting modern babies to the generations prior.
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