Column: The O’s have it

Earlier this month, the United States Social Security Administration announced the top baby names for 2021, both nationwide as well as by state. The initial takeaway, the most used names really don’t vary that much by state and perhaps it’s time for newer ones to challenge the top spot on the baby name mantel.
For the Show Me State, the top choices by parents for children’s names in 2021 includes: Oliver for males and Olivia for females.
Rounding out the top five in Missouri for boys are Henry, Liam, William and Elijah. Three of those (Liam, first; Oliver, third; and Elijah, fourth) are in the top five among all U.S. states and territories. Is the popularity of Oliver a regional trend? In Illinois, the top male baby name choice in 2021 was Noah (648), followed by Liam (613) and Oliver (584). Meanwhile, in Arkansas, Liam and Oliver were tied (both 160 occurrences), followed by Elijah (145) and Noah (137).
The rest of the top five baby female names of 2021 for Missouri are Charlotte, Amelia, Ava and Emma. Those same five mirror the nation’s top five female names of 2021, though not in that exact order. Olivia is first among female names in the nation, followed by Emma, Charlotte, Amelia and Ava. Olivia was used 340 times in Missouri in 2021, according to the SSA, edging out Charlotte (331 instances) for the top spot. In total, 38 female baby names were used at least 100 times in Missouri while 64 boys’ names reached triple digits or better on birth certificates. Nearby Illinois had Olivia tops on the girls’ list (697 times, followed by Emma, 551). Olivia also was the top choice in Arkansas (181), followed by Emma (129) and Amelia (123).
This is the third consecutive year Olivia has topped the most used female birth name in the U.S. It was second the five years before that (2014-2018) and has been in the top five every year dating back to 2003 except for in 2007.
While Olivia is on a strong run now, it was nudged to the second spot in the 2010s as Emma (194,836) was used more frequently than Olivia (184,355).
There’s a lot of Emma, Ava and Sophia on the top five list in past couple of decades. Emma, in fact, topped the list five straight years (2014-2018) after a three-peat with Sophia as the first choice (2011-2013).

Jennifer (the first female choice every year from 1970 to 1984) and Emily (tops from 1996-2007) have had decent turns in the no. 1 spot, but the most popular female name in the past century has been Mary. It was ranked first every year from 1922 to 1946, as well as from 1953-61, and also ranked second 10 times from 1947 through 1965. The only other multiple winners for female girls names include Lisa (1962-1969), Linda (1947-1952), Jessica (from 1985-1990, and again from 1993-95), Sophia (from 2010-12), Isabella (2009-10) and Ashley (1991-92). A few girls names that have grown in popularity in the past couple of generations but never reached the top spot include Madison, Hannah, Melissa, Michelle, Amy, Kimberly and Susan.
Nationwide, the winner and current five-time champion for top boys’ name remains Liam, though it has a ways to go to catch others in terms of consecutive years atop the list. Jacob was first in 14 consecutive years, from 1999 to 2012. However, that’s nothing compared to the run Michael had, topping the list for 38 straight years from 1961 through 1998. That name dominance may have slightly diminished a few strong showings by other solid choices. For example, Christopher ranked second every year from 1979 through 1994 (16 straight years), while Matthew came in third every year from 1981 through 1994. Joshua ranked either third through fifth every year from 1984 through 2008.
From 1940 to 1952, Robert was the first boys’ choice while James topped the list every year from 1929 through 1939. Robert had another top finish in 1953.
Liam has ranked third or higher every year since 2013, earning second from 2014 to 2016. Liam was second in terms of most used boys name in the 2010s (183,076), which trailed only Noah (183,076).
What goes into a name trend? Not sure on that one, though for now, the O’s have it. If looking for a baby name that starts with O that isn’t as popular, perhaps try Oakleigh or Othello.
-Thanks for reading!
Daniel Winningham is the managing editor of the Republic-Monitor. He can be reached at 573-547-4567, ext. 227 or email editor@perryvillenews.com.