50+ Lifestyles

Social Security’s Most Popular Baby Names List

There’s a new queen of baby names. Isabella took the crown from last year’s winner, Emma, to claim the top girl baby name of 2009. Jacob continued his remarkable run by holding onto the top boy name for the 11th year in a row over a new number two for boys, Ethan. New to the top 10 this year for boys are Jayden and Noah, and for girls, Mia.

To see all the top baby names for 2009, go to Social Security’s
website www.socialsecurity.gov. Here are the top 10 boys and girls names for 2009:

Boys:
1) Jacob
2) Ethan
3) Michael
4) Alexander
5) William
6) Joshua
7) Daniel
8) Jayden
9) Noah
10) Anthony

Girls:
1) Isabella
2) Emma
3) Olivia
4) Sophia
5) Ava
6) Emily
7) Madison
8) Abigail
9) Chloe
10) Mia

Baby Jacob and Baby Isabella issued a joint statement thanking Americans for “their support and good taste.” They also urged fans to “check out www.socialsecurity.gov to learn about a new ‘twist’ in the law that may help an older relative or neighbor get an average of almost $4,000 of extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs.”

A favorite feature of Social Security’s baby names website is the “Change in Name Popularity” page. This year’s winner for the biggest jump is Maliyah, which undoubtedly is related to the popularity of the First Family. Malia (the spelling used by the First Daughter), also is one of the top 10 fastest risers among girls names.