The Social Security Administration released the most popular baby names of 2011 this week, and Jacob and Sophia topped the list. 

Jacob ranks first for the second year in a row, while Sophia knocked Isabella from her lofty pedestal. Isabella was the most popular girls’ name in 2010 and 2009, but now ranks number two. The other top ten names for baby girls include Emma, Olivia, Ava, Emily, Abigail, Madison, Mia, and Chloe.

As for boys, Jacob reigns supreme, followed by Mason, William, Jayden, Noah, Michael, Ethan, Alexander, Aiden and Daniel.

A hundred years ago, the same year the Titanic sank in the icy Atlantic, the most popular boy names were John, William, James, Robert, and Joseph. Women in that day liked to name their daughters Mary, Helen, Dorothy, Margaret, or Ruth. 

The Social Security Administration has records going back to 1880, and viewers can browse and research all sorts of trends on their website. Check it out! I learned that my name peaked in popularity in 1975, while my daughter’s name, Ella, was all the rage in 1880 (number 13) before it descended into obscurity. It made a comeback around 2002 and is still rising. Last year, Ella ranked number 12.