May 15, 2012
WASHINGTON (AFP) - Jacob was the most popular name for baby boys in the United States in 2011 for the 13th year running, while Sophia knocked Isabella off the top spot for girls, a federal agency said Monday.
The Social Security Administration, which started tabulating baby names in 1997, said Mason, the second most popular boys' name, was the only new entry into the top 10 for either gender.
William, Jayden and Noah rounded off the top five names for boys, as did Emma, Olivia and Ava for girls on the lists posted on the agency's website (www.ssa.gov).
Among all boys' names, Brantley saw the biggest leap in popularity, from 736 to 320, possibly on account of Florida college football quarterback John Brantley or country singer Brantley Gilbert.
Surging among girls' names was Briella, from 891 to 497, reflecting perhaps the pop-culture impact of hair stylist Briella Calafiore, who stars in the reality TV shows "Jerseylicious" and "Glam Fairy."
Making a comeback at 904 on the boys' column was Elvis, which slipped off the top 1,000 altogether in 2010.
