The Second Half of My Life: Just Another One Of The Crowd
A while back son Brian sent me a link to a website called NamePlayground, which is a fascinating look at first names in the United States since the 1800s. One of the things it allows you to do is search for a specific name. Thanks to the site (which uses information compiled by the Social Security Administration), I learned that the average age of women named Kathy is 54.64. The name's popularity peaked one year before I was born, when it was the 14th most popular name in the country. After that it went downhill pretty fast; less than three percent of women under the age of 30 share my name.
What about you? Is your name common or unique for your age group?
Joanne Noragon June 20, 2014 at 9:21 PM
Joanne fell like a rock from its peak. Only 1700 women under the age of twenty are so named.
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 8:45 AM
Yes, most Joannes I know are my age or older.
Betsy Brock June 20, 2014 at 9:39 PM
Elizabeth was most popular in the 1800's but had a few recurrences of popularity every 50 years or so. Betsy was most popular in the 1960's when I was born and was was it's only peak. Interestingly enough, I never went to school with another Betsy, even though it was its most popular time! I still only know of two others!
I remember there being lots of Jeff's and David's in my school classes. Those must have been very popular names for babies in the early 60's.
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 8:48 AM
Even though I'd consider it a fairly common name, I can't think of any Elizabeths or Betsys my age. Isn't that amazing? However, there was a girl named Elizabeth in my middle son's elementary school class, who's now in her late 20s
Christine June 20, 2014 at 10:26 PM
Interesting, I think my name is out of fashion these days
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 8:49 AM
Although there may be more popular names for girls in the past few decades, I know several Christines in their 20s. I think it's a pretty name
sprinkles June 20, 2014 at 11:26 PM
Sprinkles wasn't listed, so I used my real name and it's apparently very unpopular! I'm not surprised, since I've only known of one other person with my name. It's a hideous name, so I'm not surprised that it's not very common.
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 8:51 AM
Why am I NOT surprised that Sprinkles isn't listed?!? I know several people who don't like their given name and use it only for legal purposes.
dkzody June 21, 2014 at 7:04 PM
It told me what I already knew:
I am the only Delaine Zody in the United States.
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 9:45 PM
At least you can't get your personal information mixed up with anyone else.
I'm curious...did your parents ever happen to tell you how they chose the name 'Delaine'?
dkzody June 22, 2014 at 11:49 AM
Yes, and there are other Delaines out there.
My sister's junior year yearbook had a girl in it named Delaine. My mother jokingly said, 'if I ever had another little girl,I'd name her Delaine.' By the end of my sister's senior year of high school, I was about to be born! My parents were 37 and 43 when I was born.
Kathy G June 22, 2014 at 12:03 PM
The Second Half of My Life: Just Another One Of The Crowd
A while back son Brian sent me a link to a website called NamePlayground, which is a fascinating look at first names in the United States since the 1800s. One of the things it allows you to do is search for a specific name. Thanks to the site (which uses information compiled by the Social Security Administration), I learned that the average age of women named Kathy is 54.64. The name's popularity peaked one year before I was born, when it was the 14th most popular name in the country. After that it went downhill pretty fast; less than three percent of women under the age of 30 share my name.
What about you? Is your name common or unique for your age group?
Joanne Noragon June 20, 2014 at 9:21 PM
Joanne fell like a rock from its peak. Only 1700 women under the age of twenty are so named.
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 8:45 AM
Yes, most Joannes I know are my age or older.
Betsy Brock June 20, 2014 at 9:39 PM
Elizabeth was most popular in the 1800's but had a few recurrences of popularity every 50 years or so. Betsy was most popular in the 1960's when I was born and was was it's only peak. Interestingly enough, I never went to school with another Betsy, even though it was its most popular time! I still only know of two others!
I remember there being lots of Jeff's and David's in my school classes. Those must have been very popular names for babies in the early 60's.
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 8:48 AM
Even though I'd consider it a fairly common name, I can't think of any Elizabeths 
or Betsys my age. Isn't that amazing? However, there was a girl named Elizabeth in my middle son's elementary school class, who's now in her late 20s
Christine June 20, 2014 at 10:26 PM
Interesting, I think my name is out of fashion these days
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 8:49 AM
Although there may be more popular names for girls in the past few decades, I know several Christines in their 20s. I think it's a pretty name
sprinkles June 20, 2014 at 11:26 PM
Sprinkles wasn't listed, so I used my real name and it's apparently very unpopular! I'm not surprised, since I've only known of one other person with my name. It's a hideous name, so I'm not surprised that it's not very common.
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 8:51 AM
Why am I NOT surprised that Sprinkles isn't listed?!? I know several people who don't like their given name and use it only for legal purposes.
dkzody June 21, 2014 at 7:04 PM
It told me what I already knew:
I am the only Delaine Zody in the United States.
Kathy G June 21, 2014 at 9:45 PM
At least you can't get your personal information mixed up with anyone else.
I'm curious...did your parents ever happen to tell you how they chose the name 'Delaine'?
dkzody June 22, 2014 at 11:49 AM
Yes, and there are other Delaines out there.
My sister's junior year yearbook had a girl in it named Delaine. My mother jokingly said, 'if I ever had another little girl,I'd name her Delaine.' By the end of my sister's senior year of high school, I was about to be born! My parents were 37 and 43 when I was born.
Kathy G June 22, 2014 at 12:03 PM