Popularity of a name by area?
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| Tue, 01-03-2006 - 7:21pm |
I don't really know where to post this, but I was wondering if anyone knew of a way to find out how popular a name is in a particular area (the smallest sampling I've been able to find is by state so far ... we live in PA btw).
I'd like to try and find out just how popular Abigail really is in my area, especially after seeing that it's at #5 or 6 nationwide and #5 in PA overall (and according to the SSA's site, Kaitlyn never got past about 30 ... and I thought her name was super-popular!). My husband thinks it's one of those that seem popular because you see it mentioned, say, online a lot, but that we wouldn't really run into that many of in real life, whereas I'm under the impression she'd end up with 5 others in her class (not what I want, really).
If anyone knows of a site where I can find data like this I'd really appreciate it. (At least if my oldest was in school yet I'd have an idea of how popular it is - at least with that age group - but she doesn't start until September lol).
Anyway, thanks in advance! :)

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I don't know of any sites that condense the popularity of birth names by city. Have you tried to log on to your cities local websites, like probate, etc.?
As for me, I have friends that have children with the same names as my other friends or relatives, but I only know of ONE Abigail and she is 11. Now Kaitlyn on the other hand, I know 4 of them, 2 of my close friends and 2 nieces! I figured that would have been in the top 10 say 8-10 years ago b/c three I know are in that age range.
Best wishes!!
Thanks! I couldn't find any info on state or local sites (at least not the ones I could think to look on lol). I also tried the local newspapers and hospitals for birth announcements, but only certain ones list them -- and even then only if the parents request it. Of those, I only found one Abigail from the past six months, which really surprised me. Too bad most of our friend's have young (not yet school-aged) children, or I'd have a better idea. Our family is the opposite, and has all older kids/teens (none of which are named Abigail, and most of whom think the name's very old-fashioned or unique, so no help there hehe).
Anyway, thanks for the help ... and keep it coming! :)
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Erica
Thanks! Good to hear the stats from a teacher (you do, after all, have the inside scoop on names lol). :) I have a friend who actually is an art teacher (middle school though) ... I just don't know if she'd be biased because she really liked the name when we considered it for dd#2 last year, so I may not get an honest response there lol.
I don't think we could do an alternative, especially with our oldest's middle name being Abrielle (I already think Abigail may be too close to that, but since it's not her fn I'm letting it slide for now). I think the meaning of "father's joy" is kind of keeping my husband hooked as well, so a spelling variation maybe, but not an entirely different name (although he defintely didn't like Avigail/Avagail).
Thanks for the suggestion and the info! It's appreciated!
~Kelli
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I am asking friends whose kids are in daycare names of the kids in their classes. I personally know of friends whose kids are named Abigail and through talking to others it's becoming quite popular. It's the same with Kaitlynn, so many spellings, but it's the same name. I know of lots of them. Most of my friends have kids with names in the top 10...Emily, Kaitlynn, Isabel, Kayla, Lily, Catelyn, Caylee. I'm liking the old fashioned idea more and more - Teresa!
Good luck!
Kim
Asking at the ped's office would be a good idea, but the nurse/receptionist there is the worst butcher of names I've ever met LOL. She's the one that calls us DuhVAINee, Kaylie and Shelly (we're Devanie, Kaitlyn and Kelli) at every single visit (and that's when she's reading them right off the chart ... imgine when she's just trying to remember them with no help! rofl), so I don't think she'd remember what names are popular to tell me them correctly anyway. ;)
It was a good idea though, thanks! :)
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