newjerseynewsroom.com

BY PAM LOBLEY

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

NOW THAT’S FUNNY

The Social Security Administration has released the top 10 baby names in the United States for the year 2011 and Jacob and Sophia are the number one choices for boy and girl babies, respectively.

Sophia is a pretty name, and I know several very nice Sophias. Just for perspective though, the number one name for girls from 1962-1969 was Lisa. Know any Lisas these days?

Names come and go. In 1880, Bertha and Ida both made it into the top 10 for girls. That same year, Walter was number 13 for boys and John was number one. These days, though, John doesn’t even make the top 10. It could be because of unsavory examples: John Edwards, Jr., or John Travolta.

The Social Security Administration does acknowledge that popular culture influences parents’ choices of names for their children. For instance, Mason has risen fast through the popularity ranks these past few years, and they attribute that to the fame of Kourtney Kardashian’s son, Mason, or possibly to Green Bay Packer kicker Mason Crosby. People get ideas for names from celebrities.

What, no Snooki? No Situation?

The top male names are: Jacob, Mason, William, Jayden, Noah, Michael, Ethan, Alexander, Aiden, Daniel. The top female names are: Sophia, Isabella, Emma, Olivia, Ava, Emily, Abigail, Madison, Mia, and Chloe with a “C.” So far the Kardashian spelling has remained at bay.

We parents put a lot of thought into the names of our kids. It’s such a big decision. Names can leave a very strong impression, and you want to do right by your child. At the very least, we just want to make sure the kids don’t get teased. My husband’s father’s name was Omer. We did not consider that for either of our sons.

But, as in most of life, you can only control so much. You may give your son the reliable and friendly moniker of Daniel, which becomes Danny which becomes Big Fat Fanny. Oh, well.

Another consideration is the “this changes everything” middle name. Jacob is fine for a first name, but if you saddle him with “Wadsworth” as a middle name (it’s in the family!), the kid is going to need some superior playground skills.

You also have no control over the nicknames that will spring up from your child’s looks, attitude, pranks or interests. My husband has no middle name at all, effectively sidestepping that landmine, but then was briefly called “Toesie” because he ran on his toes in gym class.

Finally, there is the last name. The way the last name goes with all the others is a key factor and can influence a person’s journey in life. For instance, Mason Reilly Woodruff, why, that’s a Senator from the great state of South Carolina.

Ethan Milsap Bauhaus … tax attorney.

Emily Susan Barry … your cardiologist.

Daniel O’Keefe …Regional Vice President of Sales and Service for Hewlett Packard.

Jayden Vincent Carter … Interior Designer.

Isabella Mia Bombanetta … well, I think she is going to be popular in high school.

Pam Lobley writes the “Now That’s Funny” column. Her book, “You Definitely Know You’re a Mom When …” is now available on Kindle. Follow her on twitter @plobley.

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