Like the rest of you I was pretty excited for the SSN name ranking to check out the trend on my favorite names.
I was very surprised to see that Finn stayed at the same ranking (304 in 2011 with 1078 babies vs 299 in 2010 with 1088 babies) after years of rising (835 in 2000 with 192 babies). My expectation was that it would continue its fast rise through the ranks since it seems to have so many of the qualities parents look for in boys names: Short and strong, familiar feeling, used in popular culture, strong Irish roots - Irish names seem to be uber-popular in the US these days as folks look for names that reflect their heritage
I also looked up names that could be shortened to Finn, including
Finnegan, Finnagan, Finnian, Finnean, Finneas, Finneus, and Finnbar
Total “others” 2010 = 816
Total “others” 2011 = 889
So there does seem to be a trend towards naming your son a longer name that can be shortened to Finn.
For the record, if you combine all the names that can be shortened to Finn, the number of babies born in 2011 increases to 1967 or ranked #132 most popular (Axel) and in 2010 increases to 1904 or ranked #194 most popular (Abraham).
What do you think the chances are that it has plateaued? Will it decrease?
I know so many Finns it’s crazy! I’m suprised it didn’t increase, and I don’t think it’s over yet popularity wise.
I think it will still be on the rise, it’s discussed on this site A LOT and this is only a small number of people really.
I have a son named [name]Finn[/name]. I love his name and it seems to fit in well with his brothers [name]Owen[/name] and [name]Rhys[/name]. I realize it is very popular on nameberry, but i have to tell you in real life, it does not seem popular. I know no others. There is a tool where you can check a name by stayed popularity, and I think is a better indicator in your geographic area. I do think it may rise, but I don’t see becoming a top 50 name any time soon. [name]Even[/name] if it got to the top 100, if you really love the name then I think its worth it. To NOT use a name you love because of a perceived chance of popularity alone would be regrettable.
Oops, i meant to type state popularity. Not stayed.
@boysmom2: I completely agree with you - if you love a name, use it.
It’s just that I’m not sure I love it beyond all other names - there’s a few clustered at the top in my mind - and then, popularity does play a role, although I would love to pretend that it didn’t and I made my own mind up regardless of the trend/actions of others.
I tend to not look at State by State popularity b/c my (future) son won’t spend his whole life here - he’ll likely go somewhere else for college or to live etc. etc. so just b/c there are very few Finns here, I know that if he moved to Australia, it would be much more common (not that that is a bad thing).
I also agree that just b/c it is super talked about here doesn’t necessarily translate into “real world” popularity (hello [name]Beatrix[/name]).
But I was also just generally surprised by the “stall” in its rise. I think it will crack top 200 but likely linger there before going down
Oh I hope [name]Finn[/name] has peaked! It’s my absolute favorite and my husband promises we’ll use it if we get a boy #3. I’ve never met or heard of any Finns in real life, if that helps. I am surprised it didn’t rise… maybe people are turned off by Glee?