Athlete-Based Baby Names
For as long as people have played sports, parents have named their babies after favorite athletes.
However, according to the Social Security Administration, which tracks North America’s most popular names, that tradition seems to be happening more often today.
For example: Experts say basketball stars tend to get the most attention when it comes to baby names. This year, there was a spike in newborns named “Dirk,” after NBA all-star Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to a championship. Maternity wards also saw a jump in boys named “Kobe,” after L.A. Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant. Although, Kobe’s been up and down the list of top names for boys ever since 1997, the year after Bryant went pro.
Football names are big this year too. In fact, two of the top baby names in Nebraska are “Taylor” and “Rex,” thanks to a couple of star players from the University of Nebraska football team, Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead.
Nationally, the names “Peyton” and “Eli” have taken turns climbing the ranks of top baby names. Experts say that has to do with the fact that brothers Peyton and Eli Manning each led their teams to Super Bowl wins in recent years.
By the way, this trend applies to girls too. For example: The name “Danica” has moved up more than 300 spots on the list of the most popular girls’ names, thanks to auto racing star Danica Patrick and there are more baby girls named “Mia” today, after soccer star Mia Hamm.
However, if you’re thinking about naming your baby after an athlete, consider the risks. Experts say a lot of parents expressed regret last year about naming their kids “Tiger,” once golfing star Tiger Woods started making more headlines in the tabloids than the sports pages.
For example: Experts say basketball stars tend to get the most attention when it comes to baby names. This year, there was a spike in newborns named “Dirk,” after NBA all-star Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to a championship. Maternity wards also saw a jump in boys named “Kobe,” after L.A. Lakers’ star Kobe Bryant. Although, Kobe’s been up and down the list of top names for boys ever since 1997, the year after Bryant went pro.
Football names are big this year too. In fact, two of the top baby names in Nebraska are “Taylor” and “Rex,” thanks to a couple of star players from the University of Nebraska football team, Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead.
Nationally, the names “Peyton” and “Eli” have taken turns climbing the ranks of top baby names. Experts say that has to do with the fact that brothers Peyton and Eli Manning each led their teams to Super Bowl wins in recent years.
By the way, this trend applies to girls too. For example: The name “Danica” has moved up more than 300 spots on the list of the most popular girls’ names, thanks to auto racing star Danica Patrick and there are more baby girls named “Mia” today, after soccer star Mia Hamm.
However, if you’re thinking about naming your baby after an athlete, consider the risks. Experts say a lot of parents expressed regret last year about naming their kids “Tiger,” once golfing star Tiger Woods started making more headlines in the tabloids than the sports pages.
