Community Corner

Sophia, Jacob Top List of Popular Baby Names

Celebrities and religion influence the names parents choose, according to the Associated Press.

A list released this week by the Social Security Administration shows that the most popular baby names of 2011 were Sophia and Jacob, according to the Associated Press.

Jacob tops the list of popular boy names for the 13th straight year in a row, while Isabella drops to #2 after being on the top of the list for girl names for the past two years. Isabella is followed by Emma, Olivia and Ava. For the boys, Mason, William, Jayden and Noah round out the top five.

Laura Wattenberg, creator of babynamewizard.com, told AP that celebrities have an obvious influence over the names Americans choose for their children. Mason rose 10 spots last year following the birth of Kourtney Kardashian's son, while Briella jumped almost 400 spots after "Jerseylicious" reality TV star Briella Calafiore made her debut. Religion, according Wattenberg, also has a strong influence.

For those searching for more unique baby names, a (1786-1850) that includes Phamamenon, Achsah and Mehitabel.

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