Well, it looks like my popularity is dropping. Or at least the popularity of my name. Seems the Social Security Administration has been tracking the popularity of names and you can find your name at this site.
Being adventurous, I looked at my name popularity over the last 50 years. You're given the rank in popularity from 1 to 1000. Looks like in 1958, my name was the 32nd most popular name. Comparatively, in 2008 (the most recent year reported), my rank was down to 301 (up from 321 in 2007).
So I did a little math and created a popularity index. The index will be a value from 0.1 to 100. Looks like 1959 was my best year (which happens to be the year I was born, so I guess mom & dad inflated the number that year). But no matter how you look at the chart above, looks like I'm headed downhill.
My kids aren't helping much, I had two grandchildren born in December and two more due in June (with one threatening to make an early appearance). But all four of these are girls, not much chance for a "Randy" in the bunch.
So, it sounds like it's time for a new "rule" from me to my kids. From now on, you are only allowed to have BOYS and you MUST name them "Randy". Even if you have more than one, after all if George Foreman can name all his kids George, you can name all of your kids "Randy." And remember, you do this because "I'm the Dad."
10 comments:
Apparently, so is the name "Erik" in terms of popularity. In the last 100 years, Erik didn't break into the top 1000 most popular names until 1940 at 969. By 1950, it had climbed to 590. In 1960, it had grown to 362. The 1970's saw it break into the top 100 with ranks of 101, 97, 86, 86, 90, 87, 94, 94, 85, and 66 through 1979. Erik hit it's popularity peak in 1980 at 64, but then the downward spiral began anew. Personally, I think Erik Estrada from ChiPs had something to do with that....
By the turn of the century (2000), Erik had fallen to 143 and today it's at 213. At this rate, I'll only be in the top 1000 for the next 85-95 years. Oh well, I guess that just makes us "Erik's" more special than we used to be...
Likewise, my given full name of Stephen is in decline. In 1969, my year of birth, it was 27 and by 2008 it had plemmeted to 192.
Now, for kicks, I checked it under Steven, and in 1969 the alternate spelling was all the way up at #14! And by 2008, it had dropped to 104. And as just plain Steve, my current preferred monicker, in 1969 it was 98 and a laughable 593 in 2008.
One of the coolest names I've ever heard is that of a big time ball player from the 90's; Randy Ready.
Kevin said, "Randy can keep dreaming." :) We love you anyway...but you do know that we don't always listen to your "rules." :)
Erik & Steve, looks like we're all headed down...
Thomas, I googled Randy Ready after your post. Never heard of him before this. Thanks.
Kayte, what's amazing is that you "little ones" are learning some of the reasons for my rules and adopt (some of) them.
Well, I didn't say they were all bad. :) Rules are necessary...and some of them are made to be broken. :)
By the way...I looked up my name, and I'm worse off than Erik. My name has not been in the top 1000 in the past 100 years. So, that means that I'm even MORE special!
Wow, Chance is at 255 this year. It's hard to believe it is beating Randy at the moment. I'm surprised Randy isn't more popular, or is it because sometimes "Randall" is usually the official name and Randy is a shortened version?
In case it matters, I knew of a girl named Randi once, so it happens, but with a different spelling, so I guess it doesn't count.
I stand corrected, Randall is at 695.
When I read the title I thought you were talking about your blog's popularity and I felt bad like it was my fault. Ever since we went on vacation back in April I haven't kept up with my nightly reading of folks blogs...
Then I read the post and saw I was OK, you were talking about your name.
But now I do feel bad because this might sound like I'm bragging, but my name has been in the top 1000 since 1925, the top one hundred since 1947 and spent from 1967-1979 in the top ten.
Chance, alas, I think "Randy" is dropping. Now if my kids can have a batch of boys on the next go-round and name them all "Randy", maybe I have a shot.
Brian, welcome back. I read of your exploits, and it sounds like you had fun. No you're not to blame for my drop in popularity, but when you're not around, my readership drops by a large percentage :) And I've always known that "Brian" was a popular guy....
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