A Record-Breaking Name: Linda

A Record-Breaking Name: Linda

When it comes to the most iconic baby names in U.S. history, one name rises above the rest: Linda. According to Social Security Administration (SSA) data, Linda holds the record for the most babies born with a single name in one year (almost 100k babies). This discovery intrigued us — could such a phenomenon really be a coincidence?

The story begins in the mid-20th century with a sweet melody. Songwriter Jack Lawrence created the song “Linda” as a birthday gift for his friend’s five-year-old daughter. In 1947, singer Buddy Clark brought the song to life, and it quickly climbed to the top of the Billboard charts, captivating listeners nationwide.

Parents loved the song so much that they started naming their babies Linda in staggering numbers. The name reached its peak, becoming the #1 choice for baby girls.

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But as with all trends, names evolve over time. By 2023, only 321 newborns were named Linda, signaling a steep decline in its popularity. While Linda might no longer dominate, its story is a remarkable example of how pop culture can influence naming choices.

More recent trends reveal some interesting shifts. From 2000 onward, Liam has soared in popularity, while once-beloved names like Jacob and Michael have experienced a noticeable decline.

August: The Peak Month for Newborns

According to BabyCenter, August is the month with the highest number of births. This trend could be influenced by seasonal factors, such as temperature, humidity, and vitamin D exposure, as well as cultural factors, including the holiday season and increased time spent indoors.

Did you know that it is harder to pick a name for a baby girl?

According to Google Trends data, it seems that parents choose a name for a baby girl much more carefully compared to a baby boy.

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Name Popularity Tracker

We have compiled publicly available data from SSN office from 1880 till 2023 to create this tool. We do not collect any information while using this tool, so you are good to go!

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