Friday, April 15, 2005

The Name Game


Windows
Originally uploaded by StefZ.


Thank you Noel for sending me this link which plots a graph of the historical popularity of babies' names since 1900:


I think it needs Java to run. I also think it is based on American data, and Anglo Saxon American data at that; given that names like Jesus and Osama don't appear to figure in the results at all.

In addition to being a welcome distraction from the political mania that has overtaken me and my blog (well, it's better than shouting at people on the bus) I have also learned a few things ...

  • Nobody has been christened Mavis since 1960
  • Doreen production ceased in 1980
  • A disturbingly high number of boy childes have been christened Tracy over the last 50 years
  • If you meet someone called Dickie he is at least 45 years old
  • There are no real Jezebels out there (boo!)
By the way Noel, what are you doing surfing baby names pages? Do you have some news you'd like to share? If so, and it's a boy, my vote goes to Cleetus every time.
.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

My favourite is the complete halt to the tradition of naming you baby son "Gaylord" by the 1960s. However parents persisted with "Gay" for girls up to 1970. Another name of interest is the complete absence of that much overlooked christian name "Judas", but encouragingly there has been an introduction of "Juda" since 2000.

Stef said...

... and, surprisingly, no Barts since 1990

Hello Noel. First rule of insomniac blogging - know people in New Zealand.

BTW I notice you haven't answered my question

James said...

I liked it too.

It's American, based on data from the Social Security Administration. Hispanic names may be under-represented as illegal aliens are unlikely to be applying for social security numbers -- although Jesus does appear, ranked 67 in 2003.

The SSA data doesn't go below rank 1000, so there may well be some Jezebels, just not enough to appear in the statistics.

James said...

"Gaylord"

See also "Pansy".

Stef said...

Golly, you're right about the Jesus thing. I must have mistyped the entry. I've just rechecked my other research results and they, fortunately, seem sound.

Thanks for the pointer on Jezebel as well. There's hope yet ...

Anonymous said...

This is just a link I got sent buy my ISP. There the rumors are put to rest. I'm still impressed by "Gaylord".

Anonymous said...

Also all "Fanny"s your are see are over 60!

comradewo1f said...

hey saw you dropped by my blog i think? Wow you have nice photos. I like taking photos too, well of Singapore. But anyhoo, was just dropping by. Takecare* (:

Stef said...

Noel, speak for yourself ...

Okapi said...

Ezekiel is suddenly popular again after a 30 year disappearance. Weird.

Stef said...

Zeke is short for Ezekiel isn't it?

No Zeke's in the Deep South for 30 years?

No way ...