Growing up, I had a love-hate relationship with my non-common name. I loved it because there were no other students in my school with the same name and people tended to remember my unique name. On the other hand, I hated my name because as a young girl who had a stereotypical “male” name, which wasn't common back then, I didn't like when teachers or doctors confused me for a boy. Now, as a mother who has been able to choose the names of her own children — the uniqueness of my name has become something I really love.
The one way I could ensure they weren't going to be one of three with the same name in their friend group was to make sure I stayed away from the super common names. The ones that seem to make those top lists every year … and have for at least the past few years. The names, on their own, are gorgeous and there is nothing wrong with them, but if I am being honest, I am so over hearing them.
Part 1
Emily. I can name at least four Emily's without even putting too much thought into it because it's a name that is crazy popular where I live — and it has been for a long time. According to Social Security Administration, Emily has been ranked the number #1 name for females 12 times in 10 years and has been in the top five over 15 times.
Christopher. This is one of those classic names that is so saturated I don't even think about it one way or another (as in I don't like it, but don't hate it either). In the past 100 years, Christopher has been in the top 5 names for male babies 29 times, according to Social Security Administration (although, it has never landed the number 1 spot).
Olivia. I really do like the name Olivia (or Olive, which some people use as a slight variant) because it sounds like someone who has timeless beauty. It is well-loved too, having been in the top 5 baby names for females nine times in the past 10 years.
Jacob. For 14 years, Jacob held the number one spot in baby names for boys and has been in the top 5 19 times since 1995. That is crazy popular and it's no wonder there are so many Jacobs of all ages around.
Madison. Madison is a great name for those who love the traditional last names as first names method, or want a name that doesn't sound too feminine. While Madison hasn't held the number one spot, it was most popular between 2000-2007, making the list in each of those years.
Michael. Just like Emily, I know so many Michaels; and they're all referred to with their last name so I can tell them apart. In the past 100 years, Michael has made the top 5 baby names for males a whopping 63 times.
Jessica. I don't have any feelings about this name either way, other than it's used so often I wouldn't consider it for any of my children. Jessica made the top 5 list for the first time in 1977 and for many of the years following, it's been holding a spot for 21 years.
William. I really like the name William, but I think it's much better suited for a middle name than a first name. Why? It's been crazy popular over the past 100 years and has been in the top five for 41 years!
Sophia. Sophia is relatively new in popularity, but if since it's held one of the top 5 spots for 5 straight years since 2009, I can only predict it's going to be one we see over and over for a while.
Joshua. It's never held the top spot, but Joshua has been on the top 5 list for 26 years since 1983 so it's had quite the ride in the popularity, making the list last in 2008.
Besides the above 10 names, there are also Sarah, Matthew, etc. Just add the ones that you think that have been used too over.
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