Beyond The Top 1,000 (250-200)
This years top 20 showed very little change in comparison to last year or even the year before that. Benjamin, Lucas, Sophia and Harper all continue to dominate the top 10 and Logan, Ella and Emily all remain in the top 20. Even Michael holds strong at #12 this year continuing his lead for a top 20 spot since 1939. A world record perhaps?
It’s no wonder these names continue to reign supreme. Certain names become the staples of each generation. In the 1920’s it was Dorothy, Betty, Ruth, Robert, Edward and Donald. In the 1960’s it was Lisa, Susan, Linda, David, Mark and Jeffrey. In the 90’s it was Jessica, Ashley, Megan, Matthew, Nicholas and Tyler.
While we all go through the years Social Security Administration list one name at a time it often comes with mixed feelings. We are often delighted to see some of our favorite names receiving the love and admiration they deserve, it can also be met with some drawbacks. With our favorites rising and becoming increasingly popular it can make our favorites no longer feel usable. It makes us feel like we have to resort back to the drawing board as we grief the names we adore. Grieve because we don’t want our child to be the 15th Elias or Riley in their school; or even the third Aiden in their class. Trust me, your child doesn’t enjoy the feeling of having their name “stolen” just as much as you don’t. It can be gutting for parents and even more confusing for teachers. I know my heart ached a little inside when I saw Daisy move up 21 spots.
Now, I don’t think popularity should be the sole deciding factor for your childs name. If you truly love a name, go for it! At the same time, I recognize having a common name has its disadvantages. While growing up my name was far more popular among the senior citizen population. I mean, Margaret did ranked in the top 10 from 1880-1939. Today it still holds a spot just below the top 100 with 2,178 babies born last year alone. There’s a lot of us; 1,282,547 in the United States to be exact. Not to mention the various nicknames like Maggie, Maisie, Margot, and Daisy. They’re all in the top 500 too. Even with so many of us, it can still feel strange at times meeting anyone at any age with your own name. You don’t always want to share your identity.
While the classics are classics for evident reason it’s clear not all parents enjoy seeing their favorite names in the top 20, top 500 or even the top 1000. Parents wish for their child to have a name that underused and as unique to their child as they are. A name so rare it becomes memorable.
So where can you find these rare beauties? Beyond the top 1,000! Here are 80 names given to only 250 babies or less in 2020.
Gils Beyond the Top 1,000 (250-200)
Birdie Guinevere Taliyah Erika Billie India Aleia Baylor Ryder Austyn
Goldie Indigo Love Rosalina Nyra Salma Blessing Spencer Azaria Kingsley
Mattie Avani Arden Micah Eleanora Clover Dalia Dixie Harriett Sailor
Mollie Alisha Patience Winifred Kamora Layan Marigold Sapphire Cherish Amal
Jhene Nairobi Roxanne Andie Viola Xena Abril Kahlani Lizbeth Tallulah
Marjorie Loyalty Ocean Shea Zayla Colbie Janessa Majesty Ellery Tinley
Carson Danica Libby Celina
Boys Beyond the Top 1,000 (209-200)
Jerome Karim Meir Yahya Ernest Alfonso Jairo Decker Lyle Dimitri
Ignacio Knowledge Merrick Augustin Coleman Gannon