2011 Baby Names Almanac - Emily Larson [10]
First Children
Presidential children are always a big inspiration for names (Chelsea, anyone?), and this year is no different: we think Sasha will be a serious player in 2011. Often a nickname for Alexandra or Natasha among girls, in Russia Sasha is a nickname for boys named Alexander. Sasha is already popular in the United States (at 261 in 2009 and moving steadily upward on the list for the past 10 years), and we think young Sasha Obama is increasing its cred for 2011. Sasha’s sister led the name Malia to leap in popularity 44 percent to number 192 in 2009. Perhaps even more notable is Malia’s variant Maliyah, which soared in popularity 53 percent in 2009 to 296, up from 638 in 2008. Look for Malia and Maliyah to continue their ascent in 2011 as well.
Variants of Sasha: Natasha, Alexandra, Sascha, Saskia, Sasheen
Variants of Malia: Maliyah, Malea, Maleah, Maleia, Melia
Pandora
It’s never been on the chart before, but we see Pandora as a breakout star for 2011 thanks to the amazing popularity of Avatar. Pandora, a Greek name meaning “all gifts,” is the name of the faraway moon in Avatar, but it’s got a rich history in Greek mythology as well. Pandora was a mortal woman created by the gods, each of whom gave her a unique gift. She was charged by the gods to protect a box (in the original story, it was a jar), but they would not tell her what was inside. Overwhelmed by her curiosity, she opened it. To her horror, out into the world poured many evils of mankind, such as plagues and diseases. Only hope remained inside after Pandora closed the box. While it’s a rather loaded name, Pandora is on everyone’s lips these days—and we think that’s enough for it to find its way onto the chart in 2011.
Variants: Dora, Pandorah, Panndora, Pandorra, Pandoura, Doura
Zoe
Avatar is also behind the popularity of Zoe, as in the film’s star Zoe Saldana. Zoe, a Greek name meaning “life,” has moved up in the rankings from 58 in 2008 to 47 in 2009. It’s a great alternative to the much more popular Chloe. The actress Zooey Deschanel has also increased the popularity of her alternate spelling.
Variants: Zoee, Zoelie, Zooey, Zoya, Zoelle, Zoie, Zoey
Gemma
We think 2011 is going to be a big year for Gemma. It debuted on the list at 888 in 2008 and shot up to 568 in 2009. The popularity of Bond girl-starlet Gemma Arterton is behind this surge in popularity, but it’s an evergreen name in Britain (253 on the 2008 girls’ list in the UK). A Latin name meaning “jewel,” Gemma is girly, pretty, and suggests a bygone time: perfect for baby naming in an economic downturn. It’s also a great alternative to the superhot Emma, which many folks feel is a bit too popular.
Variants: Jemma, Jemsa, Jemima, Gem, Gemmalyn, Gemmalynn
More 2011 Forecasts: Getting Hotter
Adelaide, Ada: New names for fans of Ava
Arabella, Annabella: Twists on the uber-popular Isabella and rising Bella
Juliet/Juliette: A more romantic take on the ever-popular Julia
Adelyn/Adalyn: A modern twist on Adeline, perhaps a natural evolution of the popularity of Addison and Madelyn
Bella, Alice: Spurred by Twilight fans?
Harper, Harley, Hayden, Harlow: Six-letter gender-neutral names that start with H are skyrocketing on the girls’ side of the list.
Names ending in -ley: Finley (up 47 percent in 4 years), Brynlee (898 last year, 676 this year, with its counterpart Brinley debuting on the list this year at 778), Kenley (994 in 2008, 659 in 2009), Paisley (318), and Brylee (425)
Old-fashioned girls: Millie (unranked in 2008, 868 in 2009), Hazel (343 in 2008, 294 in 2009), Ruby (113 in 2008, 108 in 2009), Matilda (825 in 2008; 762 in 2009), June (867 in 2008, 662 in 2009), and Lucille (607 in 2008, 570 in 2009)
Em: In addition to the