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Girl Name Pronunciation PopularityComparison of Baby Names Ranked by Spelling and Pronunciation
The Social Security Administration ranks popularity of baby names by spelling. However, many names have variant spellings. This list bases rank on pronunciation.
Every May, shortly after Mother's Day, the Social Security Administration (SSA) releases its list of the top 1,000 baby names for the preceding year. The drawback to the SSA list is that it can only take into consideration popularity by spelling. It fails to recognize that many names are pronounced the same but spelled differently. This ranking attempts to account for variant spellings. Limitations of Pronunciation RankingThe greatest limit to this type of ranking is that the person compiling the name list really does not know for certain how a parent intends on pronouncing the name. One of the biggest trends in baby naming is to deviate from the traditional spelling. In an attempt to make the name "more original," parents swap letters, add in letters, and get rid of letters to make the spelling their own. In the process, sometimes the rules of phonics are thrown out the window in hopes of making a name "more unique." A good example of this can be seen in the all the variations of the number one name by spelling, Emily. Variant spellings that made the top 1,000 list include Emily, Emely, Emilee, Emilie, and Emmalee. Top 10 Girls' Names for 2008 Based on SpellingParents will find when comparing the SSA top ten baby girl names by spelling to the top ten baby girl names by pronunciation there are some notable differences. A quick glance at the SSA 2008 list reveals this top 10.
Top 10 Girls' Names for 2008 Based on PronunciationWhen parents scrutinize the SSA data and look how names might possibly be pronounced, they find that the ranking changes. Names listed in the 1-8 positions rearrange popularity order, and Hannah and Elizabeth fall off the top ten list and are replaced with variations of the spelling of Hailey and Kaitlyn. SophiaSophia and her variant spelling Sofia combined to jump from the number 6 ranking to the number 1 spot. Together, they accounted for 22,778 baby girls. Just about 75% of the parents who chose this name opted for the traditional spelling of Sophia. EmilyEmily only was bumped down one peg on the list. Emily, which has held the number one spot on the SSA charts for over ten years, was accompanied by the spellings Emely, Emilee, Emilie, and Emmalee. After the numbers were crunched, the Emily variants just missed the number one spot on this ranking by 105 births. IsabellaIsabella united with Izabella and Isabela to grab the number 3 spot on the pronunciations chart. The trio pulled in 20,974 births, with Isabella being the powerhouse with 18,874 births. MadisonPerhaps the oddest names in the top 10 list for girls are the Madison variants (Madison, Madyson, Maddison, Madisyn). Madison, which means "son of Maude," had never appeared on the SSA lists until 1985. The female character in the popular film Splash the year before likely influenced the trend. Madison and groupies carried the number of 20,326 births in 2007. OliviaOlivia, Alivia, and Alyvia shared the number 5 rank on the pronunciation lists. This combination of names was the first group not to crack the 20,000 mark, only cranking in a total of 18,233. Olivia also did most of the work for her group accounting for nearly 90% of the baby girls with the pronunciation. Emma and AvaEmma and Ava claimed the sixth and seventh rank respectively. Each name fell from its original position (Emma-3, Ava-4). If parents could possibly figure out a different way to spell the names, maybe they could have moved up slightly on the charts. But for 2007, Emma and Ava were the solo representatives on the SSA top 1,000 for the spelling of the names. HaileyThe pack of Hailey names made a huge leap on the charts. First to appear at 23 on the SSA charts; Hailey, Haley, Haylee, Hayley, Haylie, Hailee, Haleigh, Hailie, and Hayleigh were a force to be reckoned with. All said, they accounted for 17,619 baby girls and the name with the most variations of spelling. It is possible that a few were intended on being pronounced like the popular actress Halle Berry, but one will never know for certain unless they meet the child. AbigailAbigail and her buddies Abigail, Abbigail, Abigayle, Abagail, and Abigale could not hold their number 8 spot and were bumped to the number 9 position. When counted together, Abigail variations numbered 16,841 with the traditional spelling ranking in 91% of those names. KaitlynKaitlyn, Katelyn, Caitlyn, Caitlin, Katelynn, Kaitlin, Kaitlynn, and Katlyn made the biggest jump on the charts. Kaitlyn first appears on the SSA chart at rank 44. However, when these girls are united, they give many of the classic names a run for their money. Totaling 15,649, Kaitlyn and company edged out eternal favorites Hannah and Elizabeth. Although the names did not alter significantly, taking a peak at popularity by pronunciation offers parents a glimpse into naming trends. It may help them put even more thought into the name that they choose and how they decide to spell it. Whatever the case, here's hoping all parents can find (and agree on) a name that they love for their child. Companion article: Boy Name Pronunciation Popularity References:Social Security Baby Name Index
The copyright of the article Girl Name Pronunciation Popularity in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Jennifer White. Permission to republish Girl Name Pronunciation Popularity in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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