News release from the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health:
Health department announces Allen County’s favorite baby names from 2012
(March 12, 2013) – The results are in, and the winners are…Olivia and Liam.
According to a tally of birth certificates filed with the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health, Olivia edged Sophia as the most popular girl name and Liam topped the list of most popular boy names in 2012.
In 2012, there were a total of 6,762 babies born in Allen County (3,471 boys and 3,291 girls), down slightly from 6,767 in 2011. But when it comes to names, there were no big surprises.
Allen County parents stayed mostly in tune with national trends. A recent survey by the parenting Web site BabyCenter® of the most popular baby names in 2012 found Sophia, Emma and Olivia ranked as the top three girls’ names nationwide, while Aiden, Jackson and Ethan were the top three boys’ names. In Allen County, the order was slightly different for girls with Olivia, then Sophia and Emma. Aiden didn’t make the top ten for boys, but Jackson was 4th and Ethan tied with James for 10th.
While some of the most popular names in Allen County for both girls and boys remain largely unchanged from the previous year, there was some jockeying for position. In 2012, Jacob and Lucas tied for 2nd after being 11th and 14th in 2011. Among baby girls, Ava dropped from 1st to 6th and Charlotte dropped from 6th to 14th.
Biblical names proved more popular for boys than girls with Jacob (#2), Elijah (#6), Samuel (#7), Noah (#8) and Isaac (#12) making the top 25 in 2012. Among baby girls, angelic-sounding names such as Nevaeh (#15), Serenity (#16), Gabriella and Grace (#17, tie) remained trendy.
If you are looking for other trends, six of the top 15 girl names started with the letter “A.” And while Allen County produced its usual crop of Emilys (#11), Hannahs (#13), Ethans (#10) and Owens (#13), it also gave the world 16 more Brooklyns (#14) and 19 more Bentleys (#16).
Parents may also consider these up-and-coming names: Adelyn, Evelyn, Brielle and Zoey for girls, and Christian, Wyatt, Blake and Easton for boys.
The Department of Health’s Vital Records Office reviews, registers, amends, issues and maintains the original certificates of births that occur in Allen County. Copies of birth certificates may be requested by mail or in person. Records can also be requested via the Internet using an online service called VitalChek.
Starting April 1, the cost of a certified copy of a birth record will be $11 (up from $10) and is payable by cash, debit or credit card or money order. The Vital Records office is located on the third floor of Citizens Square, 200 E. Berry St. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking is available.
For more information on requesting birth certificates and other vital records, call (260) 449-7147.
Top Ten Baby Names in Allen County in 2012
Girls:
- Olivia
- Sophia
- Emma
- Lillian
- Isabella
- Ava
- Ella
- Addison, Elizabeth and Amelia (tie)
- Avery
- Claire
Boys:
- Liam
- Jacob, Lucas and Mason (tie)
- William
- Jackson
- Alexander
- Elijah
- Samuel and Andrew (tie)
- Noah
- Henry
- Ethan and James (tie)
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