125 years

[trivher.livejournal.com]

I thought it would be interesting to compare the top 20 list from 1880 to the popularity list of 2005.

 

The name is from the 1880 listing the number next to is the rank from 2005.

 

Thoughts?  Surprises?

 

John - 18

William - 11

James - 17

Charles - 56

George - 139

Frank - 234

Joseph - 10

Thomas - 40

Henry - 103

Robert - 39

Edward - 134

Harry - 526

Walter - 376

Arthur - 355

Fred - Not listed

Albert - 343

Samuel - 21

David - 14

Louis - 324

Joe - 372

 

Mary - 73

Anna - 23

Emma - 2

Elizabeth 12

Minnie - Not listed

Margaret - 151

Ida - Not listed

Alice - 414

Bertha - Not listed

Sarah - 15

Annie - 380

Clara - 246

Ella - 22

Florence - Not listed

Cora - 451

Martha - 509

Laura - 145

Nellie - Not listed

Grace - 14

Carrie - 848

Comments

[julieannie.livejournal.com]

I'm not too surprised. Girls names tend to change often while guy names often make reference to a father so it makes sense that the names be passed down and be similar.

I'm suprised Emma was so popular so long ago as well. Classic girl names are back in style too. I feel like I'm reading Little House on the Prairie with half these names. Mary, Elizabeth (Laura's middle name), Laura, Nellie, Grace, Carrie...

[sarahrose.livejournal.com]

LOL Exactly.

[hwin.livejournal.com]

and Minnie. Wasn't there a Minnie?

[julieannie.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking a school friend. Cora rings a bell too, but that might have been in the books written about Rose.

[hwin.livejournal.com]

yeah, I think she was a school friend, older years. Minnie Driver, maybe? Father owns a store? Marries... somebody?

And yes, Cora and Dora! the twins. I don't think they were in the Rose books, though I could be wrong. I think it might have been in *On the Banks of Plum Creek* or possibly *Little House on the Prarie* She was definitely younger.

[bopeepsheep.livejournal.com]

At school with Laura, Ida, and Mary. She was in the sleigh-riding party - did she date Cap Garland?

[sarahrose.livejournal.com]

Nothing too surprised - maybe Ella and Emma still being tops.

[sarahrose.livejournal.com]

surprising*

[solyma.livejournal.com]

i'm not really surprised. i echo the little house sentiments haha.

[dancing-crazy.livejournal.com]

Not really surprised except I'd think Harry would rank higher in 2005--I know so many of them. I love Walter. It's so quaint.

[mandapants74.livejournal.com]

Awww, Minnie was my great grandmother's name. She was such a cute little old lady (I even thought so as a young child).

[catkins.livejournal.com]

Mine too!

[mandapants74.livejournal.com]

Awww! I also knew a Minnie who was very sweet, too. Every once in a while, I think of naming a girl that name, especially now that Minnie Mouse isn't as popular.

I like your jellyfish.

[pearshateraqui.livejournal.com]

I know a Florence! She's my old assistant manager and isn't that old. I think it's a lovely name. So is Cora, Clara and Ida.

[angelwifey.livejournal.com]

bertha.
my grandmas name. yeah, she told us shed be VERY VERY sad if we ever named a kid after her. she hates her name.

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Hmm well there you go.
No real suprises, as the girls names are coming back into style and most of the boys names never went out. Always saw Laura and Carrie as '80s names' though.
They're all generally very nice names (though can't say I'm into Bertha or Ida).

Two of my great grandfather's were named Walter (though one went by his mn Charles), it's nice enough but not sure I'd want to revive it. Also have a great uncle Fred. In fact quite a few of those names are in my family ... and of course we're all under 125 :)

[ciara-belle.livejournal.com]

Well, technically Laura and Carrie are 80s names here. ;)

[sageharper.livejournal.com]

Yeah guess so :)
I went to school* with a couple of Carries ( it's my aunt's name too) and there were at least five Lauras in our grade. We were born late 85 to 86.

*in southern England

[mrsduryee.livejournal.com]

I think it would be interesting to find the year with the most names LOW on the list or not on the list at all.

[darabelle.livejournal.com]

The name Nellie just makes me laugh. =D

[p-inkjeans.livejournal.com]

I still like a LOT of those names.

Charlie is my absolute favorite boys' name ever (...after my great grandfather, who was born about 1890, so I guess that makes sense ;)), and I've always thought that Henry was absolutely adorable. The rest I'd really consider using for middle names.

As for the girls, Alice and Carrie are two of my favorite names ever (after two of the people responsible for getting the 19th ammendment passed. What can I say? ;) I'll always be a feminist at heart) and I like Annie, Ella, Laura, grace, and Sarah a lot, too.

[trissyd.livejournal.com]

My cousin named her daughter "Clara Anne" ... and even though I really like some of the classic names up there... I hate these.