Brandon's Popularity Jumps 94 Percent

What's in a name? Just about anything you'd want to know, in terms of popularity since 1880, on the official Web site of the United States Social Security Administration.

That's where we learned that the name "Brandon" jumped 94 percent in popularity since 1950, when it ranked No 939 on the list of most popular baby names. In the newly released Top 10 Baby Names for 2012, "Brandon" hit the No. 56 spot.

It's not the highest ranking for the town's namesake. "Brandon" from 1992 to 1998 ranked in the top 10 — and as high as the sixth spot, from 1992 to 1994.

So, what were the top baby names for the nation in 2012?

That would be Sophia, Emma and Isabella for girls; Jacob, Mason and Ethan, for boys.

To view the respective top 10 lists, visit the official Web site of the U.S. Social Security Administration.

There, you also can search the database by name, dating back to 1880.

______________

Where does your name rank among the nation's top baby names over the past 132 years? Anything about the list that gives you pause to think? That you find interesting? Let us know in the comment box below.
______________