The ebb and flow of baby names often align with societal and pop culture trends, prompting the question: Can politics influence the popularity of names?
Historical data suggests that the first names of presidents and their family members can experience spikes in popularity during their time in office. As the 2024 presidential election looms, with a female candidate in the mix, the potential impact on names like Joe, Nikki, or Donald is a topic of interest.
Examining the historical trajectory, presidents’ first names frequently surged in popularity during the year they assumed office. The Social Security Administration’s baby name list illustrates this trend.
Baby names (Credits: CBS News)
Woodrow peaked in 1913 when Woodrow Wilson became president, followed by Warren in 1921 (Warren G. Harding), Herbert in 1928 and 1929 (Herbert Hoover), and Franklin in 1933 (Franklin D. Roosevelt). Even Dwight experienced a peak in 1953 when Dwight D. Eisenhower assumed office.
The phenomenon extends beyond presidents to include their family members. Calvin Coolidge’s name peaked in 1924, correlating with the year he became president. This pattern aligns with a 100-year rule, where names cycle back to popularity after a century, creating a sense of nostalgia and retro charm.
Classic names like John, George, William, and Donald have consistently ranked high for decades, independent of presidential influences. For instance, John was already popular in the 1940s and 1950s, but its popularity experienced fluctuations, particularly during John F. Kennedy’s presidency, reaching its zenith in 1965.
Names associated with presidents, such as Hillary in 1992 (Bill Clinton’s election year), or Jenna in 2001 (George W. Bush’s presidency), showcased similar trends. Malia and Sasha, daughters of Barack Obama, witnessed peaks in 2009, coinciding with their father’s assumption of office.
Looking ahead to potential 2024 presidential candidates, Donald Trump’s name, the front-runner for Republicans, peaked in 1934 and currently hovers at 676th place.
As associated with President Joe Biden, Joe experienced a popularity peak in 1917, holding a spot in the top 20 names until 2022. Nikki, linked to Republican candidate Nikki Haley, peaked in 1972, corresponding with her birth year, and currently ranks 2,405 in popularity.
As the electoral landscape unfolds, the interplay between politics and baby names offers an intriguing lens through which to observe societal dynamics and naming trends.
Whether Joe, Nikki, or Donald will witness renewed popularity in 2024 remains a question mark, leaving room for the convergence of political narratives and naming preferences.
