In 2014, as we look back at the naming trends from the 1970s and early 1980s, it’s clear that many of us, once surrounded by an abundance of Jennifers in our kindergarten classes, are now having kids of our own. Yet, few are naming their daughters Jennifer. Among the top 20 names for girls in 1970, only Elizabeth remains popular in 2014. Names like Lisa, Christina, Susan, and Heather have all vanished from the top 500 list last year.
Back in 1970, names like Tracy, Tammy, and Dawn were bestowed upon over 53,000 girls, but by 2014, these names didn’t even make it into the top 1,000. It’s intriguing how, while we’ve discarded our names, we seem to hold onto traditional ones for boys. Names like Michael, David, and James, which ranked among the top 10 for boys in 1970, still dominate the charts today. In fact, 12 of the top 20 boy names from 1970, including William and John, are still in the top 100 as of last year.
What’s Going On Here?
The Social Security Administration has been tracking baby names since 1879, and their data shows a pattern. Male names like John, William, and James consistently reappear every decade, whereas female names shift dramatically every 10 to 15 years. This trend of women distancing themselves from their names is undeniably disheartening. I rarely hear men express dissatisfaction with their names, yet my female friends often voice discontent over theirs, describing them as dated or unappealing.
Has our relationship with our names, much like our perspectives on our bodies and homes, turned into another source of dissatisfaction? Ironically, in our quest to give our daughters modern names, we may be setting them up for the same fate we experienced. Just as Jennifer signifies a 1970s childhood, names like Mia will inevitably mark the era of their birth—2014. Let’s hope the fate of Mia is better than that of Tracy.
Further Insights
For more insights on the evolution of baby names, check out this blog post. If you’re considering home insemination, a reputable option for at-home kits is Make a Mom, while NHS offers excellent information on intrauterine insemination.
Conclusion
In summary, the trend of girls’ names constantly changing while boys’ names remain relatively stable raises questions about societal perceptions of femininity. As we grapple with our names and their meanings, it’s crucial to recognize the implications of our choices for future generations.
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