As I have mentioned before, I give tours at the Bard Graduate Center gallery. I enjoy speaking with New York high schoolers, kindergarteners, senior groups, and everyone in between. Every tour group has its own personality. Often people want to find out a bit about me as well as the exhibition – they ask about my accent, where I am from, or what I am studying. But today, as I was introducing myself to a group, I had a new and unexpected comment. I was just about to launch into my opening speech, one lady called out, “I love your name!”
Back in the UK I was one of many Sophies in the school. In my class there were three of us, and I have spent my life jumping when others call my name in the supermarket (only to realise that they are not talking to me). Though I have never hated my name, Sophie is a pretty common British moniker, so I have never really thought much about it.
Americans seem to like Sophies. At a recent conference in LA, one girl came over to speak to me just because she had heard about my name. She was a Sophia and liked to acquaint herself with those of the same name. But she surprised me when she said it was rare for her to come across another Sophie (though strictly speaking, we are divided by our final vowels). I have always been surrounded by Sophs, Sofias, Sophias, Sofis, and Sophies. I have always been a happy Sophie, but never thought of myself as a rare one.
But though Americans of my age and above regard me as a rare breed, it seems that Sophies are overtaking America. Last week it was announced that in 2012, for the third year in a row, Sophia was the most popular name given to newborn girls in New York State. Sofia was at number 15, and Sophie down at number 43. This is not just an Empire State trend. Sophia topped the national list too, beating Emma (2nd) and Isabella (3rd) for the top spot.
But though my namesakes should celebrate for being top of the list for the third year running, the male winning name – Michael – has enjoyed many more years of popularity. For 48 consecutive years, New Yorkers have been christening their sons Michael. Were it not for a surge of commemorative Johns in 1964 (following the assassination of JFK), Michael would have won every year in New York State since 1956. It seems fitting, of course, that Mayor Bloomberg is a Mike. But it is a good job that he ran for Mayor here in the Big Apple. Nationally Michael is not such a successful title, and nationally Jacob wins as the most popular baby name.
Spotted: Sophie graffiti on Governor’s Island. Don’t blame me – maybe look at one of the 301 baby Sophies born in New York last year?
Such trends might seem peculiar – why was Michael only at number 37 in Nebraska, and 36 in Iowa when 1,384 baby Michaels are teething in New York State? But according to psychologist Laura Wattenberg who spoke to the New York Times on the matter, names reflect a state’s social makeup, “The more progressively an area votes, the more conservatively it names its babies.” Michael is a name that appeals across race and class divides – and so appeals to a diverse New York population – whilst Jacob is a predominantly white name. Presumably Sophia has a certain universal appeal too, given her success in the charts.
So I will leave you with this thought – is it any coincidence that I have lived in the USA for three years, the same length of time that Sophia has topped the list…?
Follow Sophie on Twitter @sophiejpitman
