Emma, William top baby names in Alabama
Published 3:24 pm Thursday, May 15, 2014
The most popular baby names in Alabama in 2013 were slightly different from the nation’s top picks.
The Social Security Administration Wednesday announced the most popular baby names in Alabama for 2013. Emma and William topped the state list, while Noah and Sophia were the most popular names in America.
In Alabama, the top five boys’ names (in order) for 2013 were William, Mason, James, John and Elijah. Alabama’s top two boy names also were in the top five for the nation
In Alabama, the top five girls’ names (in order) for 2013 were Emma, Ava, Olivia, Madison and Isabella. Three of those also are on the nation’s top five list, which includes Sophia, Emma, Olivia, Isabella and Ava.
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.