Personal names are becoming more and more imaginative as years go by. It is now quite common to be named after a celebrity, or even a place but there are a handful of names for boys and girls that remain popular.
A survey on given names showed some remarkable similarities and contrasts.
The Five Most Popular Boys' Names for 2006
USA
- Jacob
- Michael
- Joshua
- Ethan
- Matthew
UK
- Jack
- Thomas
- Joshua
- Oliver
- Harry
Canada
- Ethan
- Joshua
- Matthew
- Jacob
- Nathan
France
- Enzo
- Lucas
- Theo
- Thomas
- Hugo
Australia
- Jack
- Joshua
- William
- Lachlan
- Thomas
Chile
- Benjamin
- Matthias
- Vincente
- Martin
- Sebastian
This shows an increase in the use of "Biblical" names and a move away from modern "designer names" like Trey, Zander and Camden, Keeghan and Kai (for example.) Joshua seems to be the most popular choice for a boy. Girl's names have followed a similar pattern.
The Five Most Popular Girls' Names for 2006
USA
- Emily
- Emma
- Madison
- Isabella
- Ava
UK
- Olivia
- Grace
- Jessica
- Ruby
- Emily
Canada
- Emma
- Emily
- Olivia
- Hannah
- Madison
France
- Leo
- Emma
- Manon
- Clara
- Chloe
Australia
- Chloe
- Charlotte
- Ella
- Emily
- Olivia
Chile
- Constanza
- Catalina
- Valentina
- Javiera
- Martina
Names like Luna, Liberty and Quinn have fallen right to bottom of naming charts, while Emma and Emily seem to be the most popular. Ten years ago Michael, Jacob and Matthew were the most popular boys names (in these countries) and the girl's names that topped the list were Emily, Jessica and Ashley.
If you are interested in this subject you will find lots of statistics and meanings for different names here.
