The Social Security Administration announced the 1000 most popular baby names in 2006 today. The top three baby names for girls and boys remained unchanged from 2005’s list:
Girls:
1. Emily
2. Emma
3. Madison
Boys:
1. Jacob
2. Michael
3. Joshua
The top 10 lists are pretty standard when it comes to names. But the lists definitely got me thinking about my own name. I haven’t known many other Heathers in real life, although it seems to be a popular name for Hollywood and fiction.
So where does my name rank in the top 1000? This year, it’s No. 341. Heather made its debut on the SS list in 1935 at 871. It was in the top 10 1972 through 1987, except for a No. 12 showing in 1982, and was up to No. 3 in 1975.
Pretty cool for my name, but what about that other name that my mom tells me could have been mine? I could have been a Tiffany. No offense to all the Tiffanys out there, but it’s just not me. This year, Tiffany ranks No. 210. It first appeared at No. 784 in 1962.
Now, what about that name I wish I had? I had to have had a Disney fetish growing up, because I would have loved to have been named Jasmine. Maybe it’s because that’s the only Disney princess I identified with. All the variations in spellings have a place on the list, but the princess spelling is holding steady at No. 29.
What about the OMC office? Andrew ranks in the top 10 for boy's names, as it has for the last 20 years. This year it’s No. 8. Andy is No. 204 and Drew is right behind at No. 205. Julie ranks No. 296 while Molly’s on the upswing at No. 105. Robert dropped 10 spots since 2005, and now comes in at No. 47; Bobby is No. 480.
Looking up names is quite addicting, and a bit frightening. There are some names that just raise eyebrows, like Fabiola. It’s ranked No. 980 this year, but it’s been in the top 1000 since 1986. The only time I’ve ever heard the name was in the Duff sisters’ movie “Material Girls” and I’m quite ashamed that I even watched it.
Then there are the names that saw a boost after celebrity babies were born. Gwen Stefani’s baby name, Kingston, made its debut on the charts at No. 941 this year. Britney Spears’ bundles Preston (No. 114) and Jayden (No. 50) both made a jump.
And what about TV names? “Grey’s Anatomy” may have had an affect on the name Addison, which made a large jump from No. 106 in 2005 to No. 27 in 2006.
As for state names, Wisconsin’s top name for boys is Ethan and for girls it’s Ava, but the top U.S. names are still near the top of that list as well.
Originally from Des Plaines, Ill., Heather moved to Milwaukee to earn a B.A. in journalism from Marquette University. With a tongue-twisting last name like Leszczewicz, it's best to go into a career where people don't need to say your name often.
However, she's still sticking to some of her Illinoisan ways (she won't reform when it comes to things like pop, water fountain or ATM), though she's grown to enjoy her time in the Brew City.
Although her journalism career is still budding, Heather has had the chance for some once-in-a-lifetime interviews with celebrities like actor Vince Vaughn and actress Charlize Theron, director Cameron Crowe and singers Ben Kweller and Isaac Hanson of '90s brother boy band Hanson.
Heather's a self-proclaimed workaholic but loves her entertainment. She's a real television and movie fanatic, book nerd, music junkie, coffee addict and pop culture aficionado.
