This was originally posted on May 8, 2009
The Social Security Administration has released its latest baby names data, revealing the most popular names in America for 2008.
For the first time in 12 years, Emily has been knocked off the top spot for girls. The new leader in popularity is Emma.
There was no such change at the top of the boys list, with Jacob remaining at number one for the tenth year in a row.
Other big climbers include Khloe (665 to 196), Miley (277 to 127) and Barack (12,535 to 2,409).
In this year of change, many unfamiliar names debuted on the top 1,000 list. These names include Isla (623), Mareli (718), Dayami (750), Nylah (821) and Jazlene (831) to name a few for the girls. For the boys: Aaden (No. 343), Chace (655), Marley (764), Kash (779), Kymani (836), Ishaan (851), Jadiel (874) and Urijah (889). Social Security officials expressed hope that parents were not naming their sons Marley after the badly behaved dog who starred in the movie “Marley and Me.” Beckham also made the list for the first time, coming in at number 893—undoubtedly influenced by the arrival in the United States of British soccer star David Beckham.
