"Unisex" Names--SSA 2013

I know, I know--the 2014 SSA list is coming in less than 2 weeks. But surely the names won't change that much, right?
Anyway, I've refined my method a bit more than last time, taking alternate spellings into account (well, trying to, anyway). I looked at the percentage of kids given each name rather than ranking or number of babies, since a) more boys tend to be given the top names each year, and b) more boys are born each year than girls for some reason. Anyway, enjoy!

The most unisex names that appear in the Top 2000 for both genders:
(only the top spelling for each gender is listed, however, all were taken into account)

1. Merritt
2. Sonny (b) / Sunny (g)
3. Salem
4. Layton (b) / Leighton (g)
5. Rebel
6. Britton
7. Justice
8. Ever
9. Milan
10. Alexi
11. Perry
12. Storm
13. Armani
14. Lennon
15. Francis (b) / Frances (g)
16. Anay (b) / Anai (g)
17. Brylan (b) / Brilynn (g)
18. Ocean
19. Palmer
20. Dakota

Of course, even in the Top 2000, we're mostly still talking about names only given to about 100 kids (of each gender). Here are the most unisex names in both Top 1000s:

1. Sonny (b) / Sunny (g)
2. Layton (b) / Leighton (g)
3. Justice
4. Milan
5. Armani
6. Lennon
7. Francis (b) / Frances (g)
8. Brylan (b) / Brilynn (g)
9. Dakota
10. Jasiah (b) / Jaziyah (g)
11. Phoenix
12. Dominique
13. Landry
14. Jael
15. Kamari
16. Rene (b) / Renee (g)
17. Oakley
18. Amari
19. Rhys (b) / Reese (g)
20. Remy (b) / Remi (g)

And just for funsies, here are all the unisex names in both Top 1000s, from most masculine to most feminine:

• Aiden (b) / Ayden (g) - 81x more common for boys
• Mason - 54x more common for boys
• Noah (b) / Noa (g) - 52x more common for boys
• Christian - 49x more common for boys
• Evan - 35x more common for boys
• Tyler - 32x more common for boys
• Hunter - 31x more common for boys
• Carter - 22x more common for boys
• Tristan (b) / Tristyn (g) - 20x more common for boys
• Kayden - 19x more common for boys
• Austin (b) / Austyn (g) - 19x more common for boys
• Alex - 16x more common for boys
• Logan - 15x more common for boys
• Bentley - 14x more common for boys
• Grayson (b) / Gracyn (g) - 13x more common for boys
• Jayden - 13x more common for boys
• Dylan - 12x more common for boys
• Camden (b) / Camdyn (g) - 12x more common for boys
• Adrian (b) / Adrienne (g) - 11x more common for boys
• Cody (b) / Kodi (g) - 10x more common for boys
• Blake - 9x more common for boys
• Ryan - 8x more common for boys
• Keegan - 8x more common for boys
• Kai - 7x more common for boys
• Lane (b) / Layne (g) - 7x more common for boys
• Carson (b) / Karsyn (g) - 6x more common for boys
• Ashton (b) / Ashtyn (g) - 6x more common for boys
• Micah - 6x more common for boys
• Devin (b) / Devyn (g) - 5x more common for boys
• Angel - 5x more common for boys
• Aaron (b) / Erin (g) - 5x more common for boys
• Drew - 5x more common for boys
• Zion - 4x more common for boys
• Parker - 4x more common for boys
• Sawyer - 4x more common for boys
• Jesse (b) / Jessie (g) - 4x more common for boys
• Elliot - 4x more common for boys
• Ali - 4x more common for boys
• Andy (b) / Andi (g) - 3x more common for boys
• Remington - 3x more common for boys
• Chandler - 3x more common for boys
• Kyrie - 3x more common for boys
• Colby (b) / Colbie (g) - 3x more common for boys
• Arian (b) / Ariane (g) - 3x more common for boys
• Cameron (b) / Kamryn (g) - 3x more common for boys
• Kylan (b) / Kylin (g) - 3x more common for boys
• Danny (b) / Dani (g) - 2x more common for boys
• Corey (b) / Kori (g) - 2x more common for boys
• Quincy - 2x more common for boys
• Ellis - 2x more common for boys
• Lennox  - 2x more common for boys
• Dallas - 2x more common for boys
• Aven - 2x more common for boys
• Rylan - 2x more common for boys
• Daylen (b) / Daylin (g) - 2x more common for boys
• Jordan (b) / Jordyn (g) - 2x more common for boys
• Hayden - 1.5x more common for boys
• River - 1.5x more common for boys
• Rowan - 1.5x more common for boys
• Rory - 1.5x more common for boys
• Amari - 1.5x more common for boys
• Kamari - 1.5x more common for boys
• Dominique - 1.5x more common for boys
• Phoenix - about even
• Jasiah (b) / Jaziyah (g) - about even
• Francis (b) / Frances (g) - about even
• Lennon - about even
• Armani  - about even
• Sonny (b) / Sunny (g) - about even
• Layton (b) / Leighton (g) - about even
• Justice - about even
• Milan - about even
• Brylan (b) / Brilynn (g) - about even
• Dakota - about even
• Landry - 1.5x more common for girls
• Jael - 1.5x more common for girls
• Rene (b) / Renee (g) - 1.5x more common for girls
• Oakley - 1.5x more common for girls
• Rhys (b) / Reese (g) - 1.5x more common for girls
• Remy (b) / Remi (g) - 1.5x more common for girls
• Finley - 2x more common for girls
• Sutton - 2x more common for girls
• Casey - 2x more common for girls
• Taran (b) / Taryn (g) - 2x more common for girls
• Taylen (b) / Taylin (g) - 2x more common for girls
• Tatum - 2x more common for girls
• Shea - 2x more common for girls
• Azariah (b) / Azaria (g) - 2x more common for girls
• Charlie - 2x more common for girls
• Emerson - 2x more common for girls
• Shiloh - 3x more common for girls
• Skyler (b) / Skylar (g) - 3x more common for girls
• Jamie - 3x more common for girls
• Quinn - 3x more common for girls
• Sage - 3x more common for girls
• Raylan (b) / Raelynn (g) - 4x more common for girls
• Peyton - 4x more common for girls
• Teagan - 4x more common for girls
• Riley - 4x more common for girls
• Lyric - 4x more common for girls
• Alexis - 4x more common for girls
• Eden - 5x more common for girls
• Emery - 5x more common for girls
• Avery - 5x more common for girls
• Taylor - 5x more common for girls
• Kendall - 7x more common for girls
• Morgan - 9x more common for girls
• Ariel - 11x more common for girls
• Marley - 13x more common for girls
• London - 13x more common for girls
• Sidney (b) / Sydney (g) - 16x more common for girls
• Reagan - 17x more common for girls
• Harper - 24x more common for girls
• Aryeh (b) / Aria (g) - 32x more common for girls

No Alternates Allowed! (boys, 2013)

Boys' turn! Here are the names from the Top 1000 with no spelling variants, from most to least common.
Enjoy!
(can't believe how many more there are for boys than girls! Well, no....maybe I can. :/ )

• Hunter
• Charles
• Thomas
• Robert
• Parker
• Juan
• Vincent
• Jesus
• Sawyer
• Richard
• Edward
• Harrison
• Jude
• Alejandro
• Grant
• Abraham
• Paul
• Peter
• Seth
• Travis
• Manuel
• Fernando
• Mario
• Martin
• Edgar
• August
• Roberto
• Joaquin
• Walter
• Pedro
• Grady
• Archer
• Walker
• Gideon
• Dexter
• Porter
• Keith
• Pablo
• Ronald
• Raul
• Enzo
• Julio
• Rodrigo
• Donald
• Bruce
• Albert
• Jaime
• Hugo
• Saul
• Trent
• Davis
• Randy
• Gustavo
• Nash
• Moses
• Alberto
• Larry
• Warren
• Yahir
• Jonas
• Marvin
• Arjun
• Alfredo
• Sullivan
• Royce
• Ahmed
• Mauricio
• Maurice
• Aldo
• Sam
• Moshe
• Joe
• Channing
• Orlando
• Lance
• Alvin
• Nelson
• Salvador
• Terry
• Amare
• Harvey
• Rodney
• Hank
• Ernesto
• Rex
• Memphis
• Santino
• Joey
• Bruno
• Harper
• Flynn
• Theo
• Chad
• Lee
• Bobby
• Reginald
• Guillermo
• Augustus
• Tomas
• Otto
• Valentino
• Harry
• Duke
• Chaim
• Vicente
• Urijah
• Wayne
• Rene
• Amos
• Eugene
• Brent
• Atlas
• Fletcher
• Abdiel
• Craig
• Duncan
• Gibson
• Maximo
• Alvaro
• Rolando
• Heath
• Ramiro
• Vance
• Yael
• Santos
• Steve
• Marley
• Valentin
• Mike
• Salvatore
• Gilbert
• Turner
• Hezekiah
• Anders
• Harold
• Royal
• Rodolfo
• Bridger
• Briggs
• Hugh
• Clinton
• Xavi
• Foster
• Gilberto
• Miller
• Stetson
• Truman
• Castiel
• Magnus
• Yair
• Todd
• Alfred
• Santana
• Pierre
• Yadiel
• Dario
• Thatcher
• Abner
• Ross
• Ralph
• Howard
• Gordon
• Elvis
• Jean
• Sutton
• Avi
• Benicio
• Ignacio
• Ford
• Sheldon
• Octavio
• Clarence
• Humberto
• Mariano
• Milton
• Lyle
• Bernard
• Ledger

No Alternates Allowed! (girls, 2013)

Yay! I can't guarantee all these names are immune from "um, how do you spell that?", but they at least have no spelling variants currently in use (well, none that were given to 5 or more girls, anyway).
(Top 1000 only, from most to least common)

• Harper
• Hope
• Iris
• Parker
• Amanda
• Ruth
• June
• Elle
• Alejandra
• Sawyer
• Guadalupe
• Maeve
• Eve
• Fernanda
• Gloria
• Virginia
• Hattie
• Regina
• Beatrice
• Brenda
• Juniper
• Paola
• Willa
• Alma
• Paloma
• Monroe
• Martha
• Salma
• Joyce
• Paulina
• Heather
• Paula
• Abril
• Lara
• Dixie
• Luz
• Ingrid
• Belen
• Shannon
• Liv
• Meadow
• Estelle
• Magnolia
• Princess
• Astrid
• Charity
• Judith
• Tess
• Esperanza
• Louisa
• Antonia
• Joelle
• Clementine
• Milagros
• Beatrix
• Etta
• Pamela
• Cordelia
• Louise
• Alessia
• Ariadne

I've Got a Bad Feelyn' about This (2013)

Time for all the -lyns of 2013!

Only the most common spelling is listed, but all the alternate spellings were combined (as best as I could guess, anyway), and then ranked most --> least common. Enjoy!

• Madelyn
• Adalynn
• Brooklyn
• Evelyn
• Kaitlyn
• Jocelyn
• Kaelyn
• Jaelyn
• Ashlyn
• Jacqueline
• Raelynn
• Emmalyn
• Jazlyn
• Braelyn
• Gracelyn
• Aylin
• Roselyn
• Evangeline
• Marilyn
• Ellen
• Rilynn
• Helen
• Taylin
• Gwendolyn
• Avalyn
• Maylin
• Carolyn
• Sherlyn
• Aaralyn
• Shaelyn
• Yoselin
• Angeline
• Aislynn
• Skylynn
• Daylin
• Jacelyn
• Breelyn
• Annalynn
• Kylin
• Jesslyn
• Brilynn
• Jadelyn
• Haylen
• Jessalyn
• Marlen
• Irelynn
• Kimberlyn
• Fallyn
• Zaelynn
• Emberlynn
• Azlynn
• Katlyn
• Krislyn
• Keylin
• Amberlyn
• Berlin
• Carlyn
• Coralyn
• Lakelyn
• Arlyn
• Lynn
• Makailyn
• Scotlyn
• Jolynn
• Baelyn
• Kendalyn
• Locklyn
• Courtlyn
• Kellyn
• Kashlyn
• Harlyn
• Andelyn
• Blakelyn
• Natalyn
• Hollyn
• Faithlynn
• Faylinn
• Brecklyn
• Jerilyn
• Rosslyn
• Yailin
• Yazlin
• Darlyn
• Deklynn
• Dilynn
• Danilynn
• Magdalen
• Joshlynn
• Kristalyn
• Lailynn
• Pailynn
• Anberlin
• Oaklynn
• Naydelin
• Caselyn
• Edelyn
• Joycelyn
• Breslyn
• Selin
• Hartlyn
• Milynn
• Jamielynn
• Quinlyn
• Starlynn
• Kathlyn
• Vaelyn
• Callyn
• Flynn
• Saralynn
• Ayslin
• Devlynn
• Graelyn
• Nadalyn
• Tylynn
• Allyn
• Everlynn
• Jennalynn
• Sharlyn
• Deslyn
• Emlyn
• Graclyn
• Joplin
• Leelynn
• Maryellen
• Preslyn
• Collyn
• Lauralynn
• Yakelin
• Brycelynn
• Katielynn
• Mayalen
• Naylin
• Brenlyn
• Ilyn
• Kenlyn
• Adlyn
• Paislyn
• Yanilen
• Chaselynn
• Veralyn
• Gracielynn
• Hazelyn
• Jezlyn
• Macelyn
• Macklyn
• Novalynn
• Anyelin
• Kallyn
• Macilyn
• Talin
• Zoelyn
• Blen
• Hadlyn
• Joylynn
• Rocklyn
• Summerlynn
• Aubreelynn
• Brandalyn
• Brinlyn
• Kaithlyn
• Keslyn
• Mialynn
• Timberlyn
• Yarelin
• Mandalyn
• Maydelyn
• Merlin
• Paitlyn
• Yeslin
• Cherlyn
• Kaalyn
• Kaslyn
• Chaslyn
• Lovelyn
• Tatelyn
• Teslyn
• Daralyn
• Sophialynn
• Yilin
• Avlynn
• Cullen
• Icelynn
• Ivylynn
• Weslynn
• Dallyn
• Kiralyn
• Nolyn
• Noralynn
• Sadielynn
• Sherilyn
• Ceylin
• Dublin
• Emerlynn
• Gemmalynn
• Joclynn
• Joeylynn
• Kamlyn
• Mabelyn
• Maryhelen
• Mazlyn
• Reeselynn
• Waylynn
• Yerlin
• Yexalen
• Zilin
• Abilyn
• Amylynn
• Averylynn
• Bilen
• Brendalynn
• Caoilinn
• Chloelynn
• Copelyn
• Crosslyn
• Drelynn
• Ettalyn
• Gatlynn
• Hopelyn
• Islynn
• Jerlyn
• Jialin
• Josielynn
• Kierslyn
• Kinlyn
• Kirklyn
• Kreelynn
• Lacelyn
• Lexilynn
• Lillyn
• Maybeline
• Nevaehlynn
• Portlyn
• Riverlyn
• Teralyn
• Yeicelyn
• Zeppelin

The Tribulations of Alexander & Xavier

While browsing the full SSA lists, I've noticed an interesting phenomenon: Alexander and/or Xavier-based smash-names. Smash-names, contractions, portmanteaus--whatever you prefer to call them--have been accepted on girls for a while (Annelise, Marilyn, Rosanna, etc), but have never really caught on for boys. Times, they are a changing--wonder if any of these have a chance?

• Alexavier
• Alexsandro
• Alexiel
• Alexson
• Alekai
• Alxavier
• Xaviel
• Xavian
• Xaven
• Axavier
• Azavion
• Alessander
• Elisandro

Playing with Popularity

It seems conventional wisdom--if you don't want your child to be 1 of 5 in a class, avoid a Top 10 name! Growing up in classrooms of multiple Jennifers, Jessicas, Ashleys, and/or Amandas, our generation is more determined than ever to give our children unique names. But does ranking really mean that much anymore?
There are more names in use than ever before, and more and more people are opting for uncommon names. To compare, about 5% of girls in 1937 were named the #1 name (Mary). In 1974, it was 4.1% (Jennifer). In 2012: 1.6%, including alternate spellings (Sophia).

To see it graphically:

Yes, it's in logarithmic scale to make the difference more apparent. The top names used to be significantly more common than the rest, but over time, the difference between each rank has gotten smaller. As you might have noticed, there is a point where the lines cross--where ranks in 2013 are actually more common than in 1937 (it's #193 to be exact).

The leveling of the naming pool, so to speak, means you're more likely to run into uncommon names than ever before. The Top 10 names comprised 8.8% of girls born in 2012 (combined-spelling lists); the Top 1000, 81.7%. That means you're over twice as likely to meet a girl with a name below the Top 1000 than you are to meet one with a Top 10 name! Of course, each individual Top 10 name is more likely than each individual below-the-Top-1000 name, but still--wow!
As you can probably guess, the numbers are bit more conservative for boys--9.2% getting a Top 10 name, and 85.8% getting a Top 1000. But still, you're more likely to meet a boy with a rare name than a Top 10 name.

Okay, that's enough nerdy numbers for now. Next post will have more fun names, I promise. ;)

Rare but Real (2013)

Yes, I do milk the SSA lists for all they're worth; thank you. :)

A few of the gems down at the very bottom of the SSA lists--given to only 5 babies last year.
(I left off the ones that had appeared on previous Rare but Reals--2010, 2011, 2012)

Boys:

• Avidan (ah-vee-DAN, Hebrew)
• Cleon (KLEE-on, KLEH-on, [ancient] Greek)--"glory"
• Durante (doo-RAHN-teh, Italian)--"enduring". The original long form of Dante.
• Gershom (GUR-sham, English; gehr-SHOHM, Hebrew)
• Howell (HOW-ell, Welsh)--anglicization of Hywel, "eminent"
• Inigo (IN-ih-go, English; EE-nee-goh, Italian); Iñigo (ee-NYEE-goh, Spanish, Basque)--from Basque, "my little one"
• Jove (JOHV, [anglicized] Latin)
• Nikodem (NEE-koh-dem, Polish; nee-KOH-dem, Croatian)
• Taliesin (tal-YES-in, Welsh)
• Xanthus (ZAN-thus, KSAHN-thoos, [Ancient] Greek)--masculine of Xanthe, "yellow, blond"
• Zalman (ZAHL-man, Yiddish)--form of Solomon

Girls

• Amadea (ah-mah-DEH-ah, Latin)--"love of God"
• Archana (ar-chah-NAH, Hindi)--"honoring"
• Briony (BRYE-oh-nee, English)
• Cassiopeia (kas-see-oh-PEE-ah, kahs-see-oh-PAY-ah, [ancient] Greek)
• Daciana (dah-CHYAH-nah, Romanian)
• Dionysia (dee-oh-NEE-see-ah, Latin)--original form of Denise
• Elodia (el-OH-dee-ah, Spanish)--form of Elodie
• Jessamy (JES-sah-mee, English)--form of Jasmine/Jessamine
• Kinneret (kee-NEH-ret, Hebrew)--"harp" [Hebrew name for the Sea of Galilee]
• Liadan (LEE-uh-dan, Irish)
• Nyota (NYOH-tah, Swahili)--"star"
• Zoraida (soh-RYE-dah, Spanish)

Bemusedly, I Relay.... (2013)

Did I skip 2012? Huh. Anyway, all the girls' -lee-sounding names from 2013 (most common spelling of each only. I doubt I have the space to list all 1500+!).
Enjoy!

• Adalee
• Adley
• Aheli
• Ailey
• Aimsley
• Ainsley
• Aisley
• Akili
• Aleli
• Allie
• Amarely
• Amarley
• Amberly
• Amelie
• Amiley
• Anaily
• Anayeli
• Anjali
• Annabellee
• Annalee
• Annlee
• Ansley
• Anyeli
• Aquetzalli
• Araceli
• Arayeli
• Areli
• Ariely
• Arleigh
• Ashley
• Asli
• Atalie
• Atley
• Atoli
• Aurelie
• Avalee
• Avenly
• Averly
• Avonlea
• Azalee
• Bailey
• Baxley
• Benelli
• Bentley
• Berkley
• Beverly
• Bexley
• Billie
• Blakely
• Bradley
• Brantley
• Braylee
• Brenley
• Brentley
• Brindley
• Brinkley
• Brinsley
• Brooklee
• Brylee
• Brynlee
• Callie
• Carly
• Cecily
• Celie
• Chanley
• Charlie
• Chesley
• Citali
• Citlali
• Coley
• Conley
• Connelly
• Coralie
• Corley
• Crosley
• Cylee
• Dallie
• Daly
• Danely
• Darely
• Darly
• Dashley
• Delali
• Denali
• Dianely
• Dolly
• Early
• Eisley
• Elie
• Ellie
• Emberly
• Emerly
• Emily
• Emsley
• Endsley
• Ensley
• Esli
• Eulalie
• Evalee
• Everly
• Eztli
• Finley
• Francely
• Gabrielly
• Gali
• Galilee
• Gianelly
• Graceleigh
• Graylee
• Greenlee
• Hadley
• Hailey
• Haisley
• Halle
• Hanley
• Hannalee
• Harley
• Hartley
• Hatley
• Hazley
• Heavenly
• Hendley
• Henley
• Hensley
• Hiley
• Hinley
• Hinsley
• Holly
• Hulali
• Huntley
• Hurley
• Huxley
• Idali
• Ily
• Isaly
• Italy
• Jadalee
• Jakaylee
• Janeli
• Jareli
• Jarely
• Jashley
• Jasly
• Jaylee
• Jazlee
• Jehieli
• Jemily
• Jennalee
• Jeslie
• Jessalee
• Jiali
• Jolie
• Josely
• Jubilee
• Julie
• Kahli
• Kaisley
• Kamali
• Kamili
• Karalee
• Katelee
• Kaylee
• Keeley
• Kekeli
• Kelly
• Kemberly
• Kemily
• Kenley
• Kensley
• Kentleigh
• Kentley
• Kesley
• Kialee
• Kimberly
• Kingsley
• Kinley
• Kinsley
• Knightley
• Kylie
• Lakely
• Lali
• Langley
• Layali
• Laylee
• Leigh
• Leslie
• Lily
• Linley
• Lively
• Loralee
• Lovely
• Loxley
• Madalee
• Magaly
• Mahaley
• Maisley
• Makaylee
• Makylee
• Mali
• Manali
• Mariely
• Marilee
• Marley
• Matalie
• Mattingly
• Mayeli
• Mayerly
• Maylee
• Mckenlee
• Mckinley
• Mckinsley
• Melly
• Merly
• Metzli
• Miley
• Millie
• Mirely
• Molly
• Myalee
• Nahely
• Nailea
• Naraly
• Nashly
• Nasly
• Natalie
• Nayeli
• Nazli
• Neely
• Nefeli
• Neftali
• Nellie
• Nesly
• Nicolee
• Nili
• Noely
• Nollie
• Noraleigh
• Novalee
• Nyahlee
• Nylee
• Oakley
• Ollie
• Orly
• Ottilie
• Pailey
• Paisley
• Pasleigh
• Pearly
• Pemberley
• Polly
• Presley
• Quetzali
• Quinley
• Radley
• Raleigh
• Rayleigh
• Remley
• Renley
• Ridley
• Riley
• Ripley
• Romilly
• Rosalie
• Saheli
• Sally
• Sayali
• Saylee
• Seeley
• Shanley
• Sharlee
• Shaylee
• Shelly
• Shirley
• Shivali
• Shylee
• Sicily
• Siddalee
• Skylee
• Soley
• Sonali
• Staley
• Starlee
• Suheily
• Suli
• Sully
• Summerlee
• Taisley
• Tali
• Taylee
• Tenley
• Tensley
• Thaily
• Thessaly
• Tigerlily
• Tilly
• Timberly
• Tinley
• Tinsley
• Trinley
• Truly
• Tully
• Tylee
• Vaishali
• Valley
• Wakely
• Waverly
• Weatherly
• Wesley
• Whitley
• Willie
• Wrigley
• Wylie
• Yaheli
• Yaneli
• Yardley
• Yareli
• Yaresly
• Yeily
• Yesli
• Yetzali
• Yoali
• Yorley
• Yuli
• Zaylee
• Zellie
• Zoely
• Zuly
• Zylee

The Biggest Losers (2013)

Time to see what on it's way out (or perhaps just suffering a temporary setback):

Biggest drops in ranking (Top 500):

Girls:

1. Perla (#452--> 668)
2. Angelique (#389--> 539)
3. Fernanda (#376--> 510)
4. Jaelyn (#471--> 580)
5. Breanna (#403--> 509)
6. Dayana (#441--> 546)
7. Tiana (#444--> 545)
8. Elisa (#366--> 465)
9. Imani (#386--> 483)
10. Caylee (#497--> 594)
11. Madalyn (#450--> 536)
12. Crystal (#384--> 464)
13. Cynthia (#419--> 499)
14. Hayley (#463--> 542)
15. Bridget (#453--> 523)
16. Sierra (#278--> 347)
17. Allyson (#255--> 323)
18. Monica (#434--> 502)
19. Jayden (#380--> 447)
20. Guadalupe (#391--> 456)

Boys:

1. Jamari (#420--> 537)
2. Amare (#495--> 600)
3. Orlando (#461--> 562)
4. Ramon (#497--> 598)
5. Tristen (#359--> 452)
6. Brenden (#500--> 591)
7. Gianni (#449--> 532)
8. Braydon (#398--> 472)
9. Dane (#477--> 551)
10. Lance (#496--> 570)
11. Alexis (#227--> 294)
12. Payton (#458--> 525)
13. Bryant (#484--> 549)
14. Colby (#341--> 401)
15. Trent (#380--> 440)
16. Kellen (#337--> 395)
17. Dustin (#377--> 433)
18. Alijah (#454--> 509)
19. Drake (#231--> 285)
20. Armani (#432--> 486)

Biggest percentage decreases of 2013:

Girls:

1. Isabella (0.9852%--> 0.9161%)
2. Sophia (1.1531%--> 1.1039%)
3. Lily (0.4106%--> 0.3632%)
4. Alyssa (0.2630%--> 0.2184%)
5. Hailey (0.3059%--> 0.2616%)
6. Chloe (0.4993%--> 0.4564%)
7. Sophie (0.2358%--> 0.1943%)
8. Ashley (0.2434%--> 0.2050%)
9. Madison (0.5891%--> 0.5515%)
10. Brianna (0.2396%--> 0.2026%)

Boys:

1. Ethan (0.8731%--> 0.8062%)
2. Jayden (0.7968%--> 0.7326%)
3. Aiden (0.7354%--> 0.6762%)
4. Mason (0.9383%--> 0.8793%)
5. Brayden (0.4205%--> 0.3691%)
6. Ryan (0.5405%--> 0.4903%)
7. Tyler (0.3796%--> 0.3294%)
8. Justin (0.2908%--> 0.2413%)
9. Christopher (0.5860%--> 0.5381%)
10. Anthony (0.6521%--> 0.6081%)

The biggest drops in relative frequency (how much more common a name was in 2012):

Girls:

1. Litzy (3.018x)
2. Adley (1.71x)
3. Perla (1.61x)
4. Taraji (1.60x)
5. Geraldine (1.55x)
6. Marisa (1.51x)
7. Maritza (1.51x)
8. Kenia (1.48x)
9. Jazzlyn (1.47x)
10. Angelique (1.45x)
11. Jaidyn (1.41x)
12. Abagail (1.41x)
13. Fernanda (1.40x)
14. Kayden (1.40x)
15. Abbie (140x)
16. Yazmin (1.39x)
17. Jaylyn (1.39x)
18. Izabelle (1.39x)
19. Jaqueline (1.38x)
20. Jaiden (1.38x)

Boys:

1. Masen (1.69x)
2. Bently (1.62x)
3. Austyn (1.58x)
4. Brennen (1.53x)
5. Trevon (1.50x)
6. Jaidyn (1.46x)
7. Osvaldo (1.45x)
8. Bode (1.45x)
9. Jeramiah (1.43x)
10. Daylen (1.41x)
11. Jarrett (1.40x)
12. Braiden (1.40x)
13. Keanu (1.39x)
14. Brendon (1.39x)
15. Jaydin (1.39x)
16. Dashawn (1.38x)
17. Teagan (1.37x)
18. Jagger (1.37x)
19. Jaeden (1.37x)
20. Jordon (1.36x)

Overall, I can't help but notice that again, -aiden names are decreasing almost across the board. They partially seem to be getting replaced by -ason (and -aceon?).
As for the girls' Top 10: Sophia & Isabella are slowly losing ground--Emma, Elizabeth, and Ava saw almost no change, though, and Emily, Madison, & Abigail also lost %. Will Olivia & Mia be top next year? Or will something come up from further down the rankings--Charlotte? Avery? Harper?

What Does 'Change' Mean? Part 3 (2013)

And now for my favorite part. Ranking is a relatively simple, straight-forward system, but it doesn't really tell you that much about how the mid-range names are changing. The most common names stay at about the same level of usage (you about equally likely to meet a Sophia as an Olivia or Emma, and it was about the same last year), and the more uncommon names tend to bounce around in rank. But it's the names in-between, which mostly avoid notice, that are going to seem to seemingly randomly burst into the Top 100 in a few short years.
Percentage analysis is the best way to find those names, IMO. I look at what percentage of babies in a year are given a certain name, and compare how that changes between years. Just look at Jackson--in 2012 it ranked #22, but jumped to #17 in 2013. However, its percentage of all total births didn't really change: 0.62%. About 6 of every 1000 boys was named Jackson both years.
Sadie, however, in its jump from #119 to #50, when from being used about 13 times for every 10000 babies to being used 24 times for every ten thousand babies. Your chance of meeting a baby Sadie nearly doubled between 2012 & 2013! And yet Sadie didn't show up in any of the ranking-jump analyses.

Biggest change in %:

Girls:

1. Sadie (0.1338%-->0.2417%)
2. Aria (0.1671%-->0.2663%)
3. Charlotte (0.3860%-->0.4836%)
4. Penelope (0.1306%-->0.2230%)
5. Sofia (0.4042%-->0.4771%)
6. Olivia (0.8923%-->0.9562%)
7. Mia (0.6214%-->0.6844%)
8. Harper (0.3723%-->0.4307%)
9. Mila (0.1366%-->0.1918%)
10. Scarlett (0.2092%-->0.2635%)
11. Kendra (0.0415%-->0.0897%)
12. Avery (0.4305%-->0.4777%)
13. Ariana (0.1849%-->0.2296%)
14. Amelia (0.3742%-->0.4179%)
15. Evelyn (0.3558%-->0.3989%)
16. Nicole (0.1372%-->0.1742%)
17. Paisley (0.1511%-->0.1877%)
18. Jaylah (0.0351%-->0.0712%)
19. Violet (0.1692%-->0.2040%)
20. Valentina (0.0986%-->0.1331%)

Boys:

1. Jase (0.0555%-->0.2266%)
2. Jace (0.2324%-->0.3170%)
3. Jayceon (0.0089%-->0.0919%)
4. Liam (0.8303%-->0.8999%)
5. Oliver (0.2919%-->0.3604%)
6. Camden (0.1285%-->0.1934%)
7. Jaxon (0.3111%-->0.3739%)
8. Lincoln (0.1434%-->0.2005%)
9. Noah (0.8559%-->0.9043%)
10. Hunter (0.3964%-->0.4442%)
11. Silas (0.1224%-->0.1683%)
12. Lucas (0.5283%-->0.5724%)
13. Grayson (0.2324%-->0.2749%)
14. Sebastian (0.3326%-->0.3747%)
15. Henry (0.3984%-->0.4400%)
16. Ryker (0.0817%-->0.1231%)
17. Josiah (0.2705%-->0.3111%)
18. Jaxson (0.1808%-->0.2208%)
19. Jayce (0.0948%-->0.1321%)
20. Mateo (0.1402%-->0.1773%)

Related to percentage analysis is the idea of relative frequency. It's great for pinning down the trendy names. Relative frequency shows just how likely you are to meet a baby born with a certain name now than you were last year (such as with Sadie--almost 2x as likely!). Quite often, this does overlap with a high jump in ranking, but not always.

The largest increases in relative frequency (from 2013's Top 1500):

Girls:

1. Daleyza (11.81x)
2. Janney (10.74x)
3. Eiza (7.59x)
4. Korie (4.28x)
5. Mavis (3.84x)
6. Ariane (3.08x)
7. Everly (2.83x)
8. Cambree (2.20x)
9. Kendra (2.16x)
10. Marjorie (2.16x)
11. Alanis (2.11x)
12. Lennon (2.10x)
13. Jaylah (2.03x)
14. Allisson (1.93x)
15. Meera (1.91x)
16. Jurnee (1.85x)
17. Everleigh (1.82x)
18. Sadie (1.81x)
19. Marlowe (1.79x)
20. Henley (1.78x)

Boys:

1. Jaceon (12.14x)
2. Jayceon (10.32x)
3. Jaycion (8.86x)
4. Jase (4.08x)
5. Milan (3.24x)
6. Atlas (2.42x)
7. Bane (2.36x)
8. Thiago (2.31x)
9. Duke (2.09x)
10. Jordi (2.09x)
11. Jasen (2.07x)
12. Deacon (1.88x)
13. Ledger (1.88x)
14. Jayse (1.85x)
15. Kendrick (1.84x)
16. Brixton (1.79x)
17. Kyrie (1.78x)
18. Zayn (1.76x)
19. Harlem (1.70x)
20. Castiel (1.70x)

So.....how about those Jase-names? My goodness. I'm flabbergasted. I'm guessing Janney is because of Jenni Rivera or her daughter Janney Marin. And Eiza is thanks to Eiza Gonzales. Not to mention Daleyza Hernandez. And Lennon, Alanis, Ledger, Castiel....
Is it just me, or is baby-naming getting waaaaaay more pop-culture driven? Or is it just the trendier names, and I've not really been aware of it until now? (I freely admit to much Googling)

What Does 'Change' Mean? Part II (2013)

Boys' turn! The fastest-risers from #2500 up:

• Bane, +1051 (2432-->1381)
• Jasen, +898 (2377-->1479)
• Jayceon, +845 (1051-->206)
• Brixton, +658 (2089-->1431)
• Milan, +651 (1193-->542)
• Jordi, +642 (1656-->1014)
• Atlas, +617 (1406-->789)
• Ledger, +617 (1727-->1110)
• Tiberius, +579 (2495-->1916)
• Chael, +574 (2165-->1591)
• Hamilton, +573 (2286-->1713)
• Caspian, +565 (2312-->1747)
• Henley, +532 (2373-->1841)
• Zephyr, +527 (2191-->1664)
• Beaux, +525 (2342-->1817)
• Link, +523 (2450-->1927)
• Cylas, +504 (2438-->1934)
• Harlem, +497 (1629-->1132)
• Abbas, +497 (2427-->1930)
• Jayse, +493 (1467-->974)

Some weighty options--Atlas (no pun intended), Tiberius, Caspian, Zephyr...

And from the Top 1500+:

• Jayceon, +845 (1051-->206)
• Milan, +651 (1193-->542)
• Atlas, +617 (1406-->789)
• Jayse, +493 (1467-->974)
• Duke, +455 (1173-->718)
• Castiel, +414 (1370-->956)
• Zayn, +405 (1305-->900)
• Thiago, +377 (862-->485)
• Forrest, +336 (1177-->841)
• Finnley, +334 (1391-->1057)
• Ayan, +325 (1399-->1074)
• Kent, +321 (1446-->1125)
• Jacen, +320 (1410-->1090)
• Jaxx, +317 (1356-->1039)
• Bryden, +300 (1489-->1189)
• Zaylen, +296 (1471-->1175)
• Kyrie, +276 (866-->590)
• Sebastien, +265 (1425-->1160)
• Mccoy, +264 (1350-->1086)
• Lochlan, +261 (1199-->938)

Jayceon....is a new one for me! Any other reference besides "The Game", I wonder? My nerdy fangirl side kind of smiles to see Castiel, as well as Kent and McCoy.


And completely new to the Top 1000:

• Ares
• Azariah
• Brantlee
• Castiel
• Grey
• Jayceon
• Jayse
• Jericho
• Kannon
• Lachlan
• Langston
• Lochlan
• Magnus
• Thatcher
• Zayn

What Does 'Change' Mean? Part 1 (2013)

Yaaaaaaayyyyy!!!!

The fastest jumping girls' names from #2500+:

1. Allisson, +901 (#2384-->1483)
2. Alanis, +878 (#2169-->1291)
3. Cambree, +873 (#2046-->1173)
4. Meera, +844 (#2283-->1439)
5. Alessa, +819 (#2500-->1681)
6. Rosalynn, +758 (#2477-->1719)
7. Marjorie, +731 (#1641-->910)
8. Lennon, +707 (#1630-->923)
9. Mona, +682 (#2495-->1813)
10. Shae, +676 (#2313-->1637)
11. Marlowe, +638 (#1925-->1287)
12. Lennox, +601 (#2053-->1452)
13. Oaklee, +596 (#2429-->1833)
14. Waverly, +575 (#2453-->1878)
15. Asiya, +568 (#2457-->1889)
16. Jurnee, +567 (#1463-->896)
17. Aiza, +559 (#2359-->1800)
18. Violette, +549 (#1910-->1361)
19. Ariadne, +538 (#1762-->1224)
20. Everleigh, +533 (#1398-->865)

I admit, I like this list much better than last years' (although I am kind of sad to not see Hattie for a third year). Ariadne also appeared in my 2011 list.
It's interesting to note that two of these are less-prominent Game of Thrones characters--Shae (Shay ranked #24) and Meera. Wonder if they could reach the heights of Khaleesi, or even Aria? Meera seems more likely to me.

And of course, I missed the highest jumping name again thanks to my cutoff at 2500 (last year it was Khaleesi, followed by Cataleya): Daleyza, jumping 3130 spots from #3715-->585. Wow!


The fastest jumping names from #1500+:

1. Jurnee, + 567 (1463-->896)
2. Everleigh, +533 (1398-->865 )
3. Everly, + 524 (907-->383)
4. Henley, +476 (1307-->831)
5. Kensington, + 396 (1489-->1093)
6. Freya, + 393 (1301-->908)
7. Neriah, + 391 (1345-->954)
8. Remington, +391 (1427-->1036)
9. Naya, +365 (1388 -->1023)
10. Mabel, +344 (1051 -->707)
11. Oakley, +338 (1266-->928)
12. Marlie, +330 (1426-->1096)
13. Hadlee, +327 (1216-->889)
14. Gwyneth, +293 (1179-->886)
15. Emerie, +293 (1233-->940)
16. Dallas, +291 (901-->610)
17. Iyana, +284 (1487-->1203)
18. Saige, +283 (932-->649)
19. Azalea, +275 (906-->631)
20. Kaidence, +271 (1250-->979)

Ooh! Mabel! Freya! Naya! Azalea! Azalea and Everly in particular I'd keep my eye on--they were new to the Top 1000 last year.


And completely new to the Top 1000 this year:

• Amia
• Ariya
• Ariyah
• Avalyn
• Carter
• Daleyza
• Elliott
• Ellison
• Emerie
• Everleigh
• Freya
• Giavanna
• Hadlee
• Henley
• Jurnee
• Kaidence
• Kailani
• Lennon
• Neriah
• Oakley
• Remi
• Saylor
• Sutton
• Wren
• Wynter
• Zainab

Aidens Gonna Aid (2013)

SSA LIST WHOOOOO!

And again the easy stats are first.
Yes, some of these names could be imported (Adán, Raiden, & Nayden for instance, as well as others I may have missed) or poorly spelled, and thus not actually rhyme with Aiden, but unfortunately, there's no way to know for sure, and I imagine both pronunciations are in use in the US.

A

• Aadan
• Aaden
• Aadin
• Aadon
• Aadyn
• Aaiden
• Aaidyn
• Aayden
• Adan
• Aden
• Adin
• Adon
• Adyn
• Adynn
• Aedan
• Aeden
• Aedin
• Aedon
• Aedyn
• Aidan
• Aiden
• Aidenn
• Aidin
• Aidon
• Aidyn
• Aidynn
• Aydan
• Ayden
• Aydenn
• Aydin
• Aydon
• Aydyn

B

• Baden
• Baiden
• Bayden
• Bladen
• Bladyn
• Blaiden
• Blaidyn
• Blayden
• Bradan
• Braden
• Bradin
• Bradon
• Bradyn
• Braedan
• Braeden
• Braedin
• Braedon
• Braedyn
• Braidan
• Braiden
• Braidon
• Braidyn
• Braydan
• Brayden
• Braydin
• Braydon
• Braydyn
• Breaden
• Breiden
• Breydan
• Breyden
• Breydon

C

• Cadan
• Caden
• Cadin
• Cadyn
• Caedan
• Caeden
• Caedon
• Caedyn
• Caidan
• Caiden
• Caidyn
• Caydan
• Cayden
• Caydin
• Caydon
• Chaden
• Chayden
• Clayden

D

• Daiden
• Dayden
• Draden
• Draeden
• Draedyn
• Draiden
• Drayden
• Draydon
• Dreyden
• Dreydon

E

• Eaden
• Eidan
• Eiden
• Eydan
• Eyden

F: none

G

• Graden
• Gradyn
• Graeden
• Graiden
• Grayden
• Graydon
• Greyden
• Greydon

H

• Haden
• Hadyn
• Haeden
• Haedyn
• Haiden
• Haidyn
• Haydan
• Hayden
• Haydin
• Haydon
• Haydyn
• Heiden
• Heyden

I: none

J

• Jadan
• Jaden
• Jadin
• Jadon
• Jadyn
• Jaedan
• Jaeden
• Jaedin
• Jaedon
• Jaedyn
• Jaidan
• Jaiden
• Jaidenn
• Jaidin
• Jaidon
• Jaidyn
• Jaidynn
• Jaydan
• Jayden
• Jaydenn
• Jaydin
• Jaydon
• Jaydyn
• Jaydynn
• Jeiden
• Jeydan
• Jeyden
• Jeydon
• Jhaiden
• Jhayden

K

• Kaaden
• Kadan
• Kaden
• Kadin
• Kadon
• Kadyn
• Kaedan
• Kaeden
• Kaedin
• Kaedon
• Kaedyn
• Kaidan
• Kaiden
• Kaidenn
• Kaidin
• Kaidon
• Kaidyn
• Kaidynn
• Kaydan
• Kayden
• Kaydenn
• Kaydin
• Kaydon
• Kaydyn
• Keaden
• Keidan
• Keiden
• Keidyn
• Keydan
• Keyden
• Keydon
• Khaden
• Khadyn
• Khaiden
• Khaidyn
• Khayden
• Khaydin

L

• Ladon
• Laiden
• Layden
• Laydon

M

• Madon

N

• Naiden
• Nayden

O: none

P

• Paden
• Paiden
• Payden
• Peydon

Q: none

R

• Raden
• Radin
• Raeden
• Raedyn
• Raidan
• Raiden
• Raidon
• Raidyn
• Raydan
• Rayden
• Raydin
• Raydon
• Raydyn
• Reiden
• Reyden

S

• Shaden
• Shayden
• Sladen
• Slayden

T

• Taden
• Tadyn
• Taedyn
• Taiden
• Taidyn
• Tayden
• Taydon
• Thaden
• Thaiden
• Thayden
• Traeden
• Trayden
• Treyden

U: none

V

• Vaden
• Vayden

W

• Waden
• Wayden

X

• Xaden
• Xadyn
• Xaiden
• Xayden
• Xhaiden
• Xzaiden
• Xzayden

Y

• Yaden
• Yadon
• Yaiden
• Yeiden

Z

• Zaden
• Zadin
• Zadyn
• Zaeden
• Zaedyn
• Zaidan
• Zaiden
• Zaidin
• Zaidon
• Zaidyn
• Zaydan
• Zayden
• Zaydenn
• Zaydin
• Zaydon
• Zaydyn
• Zeiden
• Zhaiden
• Zhayden

3-syllable mash-ups:

• Dakayden
• Jacaden
• Jacaiden
• Jacayden
• Jakaden
• Jakaiden
• Jakayden
• Makaden
• Makaiden
• Makayden
• Markayden

And again, this is fewer than last year! 273 -aiden names, comprising 4.24% of boys. In 2012, there were 294 -aidens names, given to 4.55% of boys.