Names of '95

Happy American Thanksgiving Everyone! Somehow I have gotten both of the fall holidays to blog on, but today I’m not going to do a Thanksgiving theme list. I know what you are all thinking which is Whaaaaaa? But you know all the Thanksgiving theme name lists have been done to death, and you all could Google some nice Thanksgiving names if that’s what you want. Instead I’m going to relate this blog to what I think should be considered a national holiday coming up on Saturday the 30^th: My Birthday. On Saturday I’ll be a legal adult, and I am so excited to celebrate. So to commemorate my birthday I thought I would talk about the names that were popular the year I was born. And apparently, 1995 was the year before the dominants’ (Emily and Jacob) took over, I wonder what made those get to the top in 1996 and stay there for so long…..questions, questions. Now one with the lists starting with the ladies!

Jessica

Rank in 1995: 1

Rank in 2012: 138

Meaning: wealthy

Origin: Hebrew

My Thoughts: I used to want Jessica to be my name SO badly! I have no idea why, lol, I think I might have just loved the nickname Jess. Jessica might have been the number 1 name in the year I was born, but there is only 1 in my grade, and I only know 4 in total.

Ashley

Rank in 1995: 2

Rank in 2012: 50

Meaning: dweller near the ash tree meadow

Origin: English

My Thoughts: I actually kind of like the name Ashley. I just read a book with the main character named Ashley, and I really loved her character so now I’m liking the name Ashley. The nickname ‘Ash’ is cute too J

Emily

Rank in 1995: 3

Rank in 2012: 6

Meaning: rival

Origin: English

My Thoughts: I adore the name Emily! It’s such a cute, sweet, and feminine name. I don’t care that Emily is so common, it’s just beautiful. Emily has a certain sophistication to it, and I could really picture Emily on any woman, of any age!

Samantha

Rank in 1995: 4

Rank in 2012: 26

Meaning: told by God

Origin: Hebrew

My Thoughts: I go back and forth on whether I like the name Samantha or not. I really like the nickname Sam, but something about Samantha is a little bit off.

Sarah

­Rank in 1995: 5

Rank in 2012: 43

Meaning: princess

Origin: Hebrew

My Thoughts: Sarah is another adorable name. I think it’s super sweet and cute. I could see Sarah on someone of any age or race.

Michael

Rank in 1995: 1

Rank in 2012: 8

Meaning: who is like God?

Origin: Hebrew

My Thoughts: Michael is so very common, it takes away some of the handsomeness for me. I struggle to see the name Michael on a little boy, even though I know that it’s still popular.

Matthew

Rank in 1995: 2

Rank in 2012: 12

Meaning: gift of God

Origin: Hebrew

My Thoughts: I love the name Matthew. I know I just said that Michael was common, and so is Matthew, but there is something different about Matthew. It has never been the number one name and is now out of the top ten. The nickname Matt is also pretty cute!

Christopher

Rank in 1995: 3

Rank in 2012: 23

Meaning: bearer of Christ

Origin: Greek

My Thoughts: I hate the name Christopher. I cannot stand it, really. To me, there is nothing appealing about it. I do love the name Christian though, which is strange.

Jacob

Rank in 1995: 4

Rank in 2012: 1

Meaning: Supplanter

Origin: Hebrew

My Thoughts: I love the name Jacob too. I just keep contradicting myself about the commonness of Michael taking away some of the handsomeness; maybe it’s just Michael. I think Jacob is so absolutely adorable, and I love the nickname Jake.

Joshua

Rank in 1995: 5

Rank in 2012: 17

Meaning: the Lord is my salvation

Origin: Hebrew

My Thoughts: Joshua is just an eh name to me. I don’t love it, I don’t hate it, it’s just kind of there. It’s not a bad name or anything, it just does nothing for me.

So the name that has dropped the farthest is Jessica, who is the only one out of the top 50. Most of the boys names are still hanging on in the top 20, though Joshua seems to be fading fast. Most of the names seem to be Hebrew in origin, and really, right now comparing to the 2012 statistics, not that much has changed since 1995 J Happy Thanksgiving Americans! And Happy Thursday Everyone Else!