Oh, baby! Alexander and Sophia top 2009 names

The roundup of 2010 years have many returning names — Ethan, Olivia, Samantha and the just-unthroned Anthony — but a few are newbies, replacing last year’s collection of Williams, Andrews, Jacobs, Chloes, Mayas and Ryans. Just as the top three spots were tied, so were the bottom three for girls: Abigail, Emma and Samantha. The boys were also not immune to twin scores, with Daniel and Ethan tying for second, Benjamin, Nathan and Nicholas tying for fourth through seventh and David and John finished out the top 10.

Last year’s reigning Anthony came in eighth this year. Likewise, Olivia fell from second in 2008 to fourth in 2009.

Sophia has held the top spot for five of the last six years, based on birth data collected between Jan. 1 and Dec. 29, 2009 by the County Clerk’s Office. A total of 2,674 boys were born during that time and 2,510 girls — a sign that while the names may echo past years, the rate appears to be dropping. In 2008, 2,800 boys and 2,620 girls were born.

The county’s top 10 list often mimics popular names nationwide. However, the Social Security Administration has not yet crunched its figures. In 2008, Jacob and Emma reigned in the United States while Anthony and Sophia — the county’s number one spots — both ranked seventh.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.  

Box info:

Of last year’s births, the top 10 names were:

Girls

1. Isabella    26

2. Sofia    26

3. Sophia    26

4. Olivia    23

5. Emily    22

6. Mia    19

7. Ava    18

8. Abigail    15

9. Emma    15

10. Samantha 15

Others    2,305

Boys

1. Alexander    32

2. Daniel        29

3. Ethan        29

4. Dylan        26

5. Benjamin    24

6. Nathan        24

7. Nicholas    24

8. Anthony    23

9. David        22

10. John        22

Others        2,419