Top Baby Names of 2002

[Cindy]

(from Netscape.net):

The Year's Most Popular Baby Names
The most popular baby names for 2002, according to research conducted by BabyNames.com, are: Madison, Ethan, Bailey, Caleb, and Hannah.

Notice anything unusual in this lineup?

Two of the five names--Madison and Bailey--are unisex names. If you're paying attention to baby-naming trends, this one is big. Parents seem to be giving their babies, especially girls, non-gender-specific names or names that have traditionally been used for males or as surnames, such as Jordan or Taylor. "I believe this trend comes from the desire to give power to our female offspring," says Jennifer Moss, BabyNames' senior partner. "The mothers of today grew up in the 1970s, a time when they were influenced by the women's movement. We want our daughters to start out on equal ground."

Parents are also seeking a unique name. The first and foremost reason for not choosing a name is overpopularity. So say good-bye to the old favorites of Michael and Jennifer. They're so...last year.

The top 25 names for 2002 as compiled by BabyNames.com are as follows. The unisex names are followed by an asterisk*.

1. Madison*
2. Ethan
3. Bailey*
4. Caleb
5. Hannah
6. Alexis
7. Aiden
8. Jordan*
9. Chloe
10. Mackenzie*
11. Jacob
12. Taylor*
13. Emma
14. Abigail
15. Dylan
16. Jaden*
17. Logan
18. Cameron
19. Riley*
20. Tyler*
21. Isabella
22. Morgan*
23. Paige
24. Austin
25. Aaron

Note from Cindy : I have an adorable little niece named Channing. I don't think my brother and his wife named her that to "empower" her,though ...they just wanted an unusual name.

 

[Gina B]

VERY confusing...my daughter has two Jordan's in her class, one girl and one boy.
I don't like not being able to tell when they talk whether it's a boy or girl. If the name is unusual enough that you'd have to ask anyhow that's ok, but for the rest I just get confused.
Doesn't explain why I tried to name one of my kids Morgan...
Gina

 

[Sherrie]

Yeah Cindy...My daughter named my Grandbaby Taylor. She is a girl. It had nothing to do with power...she just liked the name. It was different and not everyone had it. Now seems like it is very popular.

Sherrie

 

[donnA]

I'm actually glad to see that most of the names and those older sounding names, instead of the more modern names that you can't pronounce.
I wonder, by giving boys names or 'unisex' names to girls, is that like a confusing of the sexes kind of thing.

 

[stubbornkelly]

Well, I was given the name "Kelly" in 1977. It was more unisex then than it is now, but still . . . I had no gender problems growing up.

If anything, kids with unisex names can prove to be even more representative of their gender's characteristics than those with traditionally gender appropriate names.

Personally, I like the trend.

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

My adult Bible class teachers two daughters names are "Taylor" and "McKinley" not gender specific...and are presidents names...

And my son's name is Jordan....which was unique when I named him...and is overly popular now...poor kid...was trying to give him a unique name...and it didn't happen.

But one of my daughters names is Haven...which is more unique...and the littlest ones middle name is Ashlyn...which is slightly different.

One thing I am really greatful to my parents for is giving me a name that when it was called...there was no question of who was being called.

I like the names Ian, Grant, Corbin (which means gift of God), Braden, Justin, & Honor...can you tell I wanted to have more boys?

Girls: Lillian, Libby; short for Elizabeth, Hope, Faith.

Makes me wish I could have had more children...just to be able to use all the names I like.

As far as the world likeing unisex names...hey they like unisex people...so not a shocker to me.

 

[Multimom]

I always went for something that would be more than just a monicre for the child.

My children are

Zachariah Michael(14)
Gabrielle Elizabeth(9)
Mikaela Noel (8 this Saturday)
Hannah Michelle(6)
Faith Danielle(3)
Canaan Josiah(2 in January)

You know you're in trouble when 3 of your children all have forms of the name Michael

 

[Wisdom Seeker]

I love the name Michael...in fact too men that I felt I was truly in love with were called Michael...which is why I didn't name any of my kids Michael...those relationships always ended with me loving them completely...and them saying...next.

 

[jonmagee]

Is there a tendency in America to call children after numbers e.g. George Hamilton the fourth.

( only Joking )

yours, Jon.

 

[rsr]

Jon, that's really not fair, given that the Brits have already had eight Henrys and eight Edwards and the current prince -- Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor -- is rumored to want to be George No. 7.

At least they had more imagination than the French.

Besides, George Hamilton is a Scot -- that's George Hamilton the Forth.

[ December 17, 2002, 07:43 PM: Message edited by: rsr ]

 

[jonmagee]

rsr, thats fair comment, except with us it is only the royalty who keep calling there children after numbers

yours, Jon.

 

[Sherrie]

lol.....he got you jonmagee!

Sherrie

 

[jonmagee]

George Hamilton the Forth ?

He didnt seem to be all that Wet when he came to our church a couple of years ago

yours, Jon.

 

[jonmagee]

What was that Sherrie? I thought you were my friend lol

yours, Jon.

 

[rsr]

But many that are firth shall be last; and the last shall be firth.

 

[Sherrie]

I am your friend jonmagee! I also can see where you wouldn't want to claim George Hamilton too. let alone the forth!

Sherrie

[ December 17, 2002, 07:59 PM: Message edited by: Sherrie ]

 

[Sherrie]

Now what about the name Sean? Doesn't that name sound good.

Sherrie

 

[jonmagee]

Sherrie, isn't that the name you gave to me once?

yours, Jon.

 

[rsr]

Please, parents, whatever you do, please pick a spelling that makes some sense. Otherwise, it's an open invitation to a lifetime of misspelling. I know, and mine isn't even hard to spell.

 

[Gina B]

It's 3 letters, how can you mess THAT up?
Gina