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What’s in a Name?

Your name is very important. When you

think of yourself, you probably think of your name first. It is an important

part of your identity.

Right now, the two most popular names

for babies in the United States are “Jacob” for boys and “Emily” for girls. Why

are these names popular? And, why are some names unpopular?

Names can become popular because of

famous actors, TV or book characters, or athletes. Popular names suggest very

positive things. Unpopular names suggest negative things. Surprisingly, people

generally agree on the way they feel about names. Here are some common opinions

about names from a recent survey.

So why do parents give their children unpopular

names? The biggest reason is tradition. Many people are named after a family

member. Of course, opinions can change over time. A name that is unpopular now

might become popular in the future. That’s good news for all the Georges and

Bettys out there!