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Boy Name Pronunciation PopularityComparison of Baby Names Ranked by Spelling and Pronunciation
Common top baby name lists only rank names by how they are spelled. This name list takes into consideration that names can be spelled differently but pronounced the same.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) releases their top 1,000 baby names from the previous year each May, sometime around Mother's Day. This list is a great tool for stumped expectant parents to get an ideas. Some parents look to the list so that they may avoid a popular or common name. The problem with doing that is that the SSA list is somewhat limited because it ranks each variant spelling separately. It does not account for names with alternate spellings but similar pronunciations. The ranking that follows attempts to do that. Social Security Top Baby Names for 2007When parents glance at the SSA list, they will find these top ten names. Over the past ten years, there has been little change in this list from year to year. These classic names have dominated the popularity charts.
Top 10 Boys' Names for 2007 Based on PronunciationHowever, when the names are compiled so that names that are spelled differently but pronounced the same are grouped together, the rank changes. William and Andrew are bumped off the list, and two completely new names claim the numbers 1 and 2 spots. AidenAiden took a huge leap from its first appearance at 27 on the SSA chart all the way to number one. Aiden, Aidan, Ayden, Aden, Adan, Aydan, Aydin, Aedan, Aidyn, and Adin group together to account for 29,175 baby boy births in 2007 (names listed in order of popularity). Of note, Aiden is the only name in the top 10 where the traditional spelling, Aidan, did not carry the majority of boys with the name. JaydenSecond on the list of most popular names based on pronunciation was Jayden. Not only is Jayden similar to Aiden in sound, but also in the fact that it had 10 different variations in spelling. Interestingly, no other names on either the boy or girl charts can claim that many variants. Jayden, Jaden, Jaiden, Jaydon, Jadon, Jaeden, Jadyn, Jaydin, Jaidyn, and Jaydan united to pull in 25,925 male births. JacobThe SSA number one name only managed to catch the number 3 spot on the pronunciation popularity name ranking. Jacob accounted for nearly 96% of the boys with spelling. Paired with the German spelling variant, Jakob, 24,980 baby names were given the name. MichaelMichael, a name that can hold the claim of making the SSA top 10 list since Franklin Delano Roosevelt's last term in office, fell from position 2 to position 4 on the compiled pronunciation chart. Michael was by far the most popular spelling, but Micheal and Mikel scraped together to amount for slightly under 4% of those baby boys. All together 22,445 baby boys born in 2007 bear the name. ChristopherChristopher, Kristopher, Cristopher, and Cristofer worked together to eek up one spot on the chart to the number 5 position. The pack amassed 21,303 births with a majority of them given the traditional spelling, Christopher. EthanEven though Ethan buddied up with the spelling Ethen, they still fell three spots on the new chart. Coming in at number 6, Ethan and Ethen totaled 20,992 births. Joshua and DanielParents opted to keep the spelling of Joshua and Daniel simple, and these two names are the only ones in the top 10 based on pronunciation that did not have spelling variants. Joshua, having 20,254 births, fell from the number 4 spot to the number 7 spot. Daniel (19,869 births) dropped from number 5 to number 8 ranking. AnthonyAnthony and Antony bring some old-world charm to the top ten list. Anthony (99%) was vastly more popular than Antony, but together 19,579 baby boys born in 2007 are graced with the classic name. MatthewIn the final spot stands the Matthew/Mathew duo. The pair fell one position when compared to the SSA popularity charts. 19,332 boys were given the name last year. It should be noted that there are limitations to pronunciation popularity charts. It is impossible to know what the intended pronunciation of any name is without speaking to the parent. There is some margin of error when calculating pronunciation baby name charts. Although most of the names appearing on the top 10 list of both the spelling and pronunciation charts are on both, comparing the lists can reveal some interesting trends in baby naming. Future parents might use both lists to help them choose the right name for their baby. See Girl Name Pronunciation Popularity for more information.
The copyright of the article Boy Name Pronunciation Popularity in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Jennifer White. Permission to republish Boy Name Pronunciation Popularity in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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