What’s In A Baby’s Name – Or The Title Of Your Book?

When one seeks a catchy title for their book they test out all kinds of names.  Parents do the same for their newborns.  The most popular names in 2011, according to the Social Security Administration, reveals some insights into how people think.

For one, some names mirror biblical ones, such as Noah, Jacob, and Daniel.  Others represent trends of pop culture.  People will name their kid after a favorite actress or star athlete.

Interestingly all of the top 10 boy names were two syllables, except for No. 8, Alexander.  For the girls, 8 of the top 10 ones ended with a vowel.  None of the boy top 10 did. 

If you’re looking to see what names you’ll hear in the workplace 20 years from now, check those out:

        Girls                                                                                            Boys

1.  Sophia                                                                                     1.     Jacob

2.  Isabella                                                                                    2.     Mason

3.  Emma                                                                                      3.     William

4.  Olivia                                                                                       4.     Jayden

5.  Ava                                                                                          5.     Noah

6.   Emily                                                                                       6.     Michael

7.  Abigail                                                                                     7.     Ethan

8.   Madison                                                                                  8.     Alexander

9.  Mia                                                                                          9.     Aiden

10.  Chloe                                                                                    10.   Daniel

Should authors pay attention to these names so they can appear more current and authentic when naming their fictional characters?  Perhaps.  Interestingly these names sound pretty white, though the US population and the baby-making populace is becoming more ethnic. In fact, the U.S. Census just released information shows that  in 2011, for the first time in the nation’s history, more babies were born to ethnic minorities than to whites. Does this mean there is a homogenization or assimilation taking place with respect to baby-naming? It appears so.

The next time you have to think of a title for your new book, consider taking a page out of how parents name their kids. 

Can’t Live Without Your Book On The Road?

A survey that was recently published by USA Today indicated that the No. 1 answer to the question, “What is the one thing you can’t live without when traveling?” is a book or e-reader.  Second place was a pillow.  A pair of jeans ranked fourth, a beverage third.  Surprisingly, the answer wasn’t money or smart phones, or drugs (legal or otherwise) or birth control.  Maybe those things are a given.  But it’s nice to see books rate so high. 

Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person.