Story highlights
Jacob and Sophia were top baby names in 2012, Social Security Administration says
Jacob has topped the list since 1999; Sophia since 2011
Arya, the name of a "Game of Thrones" character, is rising fast for girls
So, maybe some of you new parents have seen this show, “Game of Thrones?”
When the Social Security Administration released its annual list of the most popular names on Thursday, all the usual winners were there: Jacob and Sophia are tops. Again.
But the fastest riser for girls in 2012 was Arya, shooting to 413 from 711 in 2011 and 942 in 2010.
It’s the name of a beloved character in the “Game of Thrones” series on HBO. The youngest daughter of the Stark family, Arya (played by Maisie Williams) is a fan favorite – a defiant tomboy with a stubborn, independent streak – and the polar opposite of her proper sister, Sansa. Arya is happier firing arrows on the archery range or secretly attending “dance lessons” with Syrio, a trained killer who teaches her to wield her sword, Needle.
Based on “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the epic fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin, “Game of Thrones” has been a breakout hit for HBO. (HBO and CNN are units of Time Warner.) Now in its third season, the show initially delighted genre fans, but quickly built a much larger audience with its blend of action, intrigue and ample doses of sex and violence.
(For the record, Sansa, Syrio and Needle are nowhere in the top 1,000.)
The fastest riser for boys in 2012 – Major, coming in at 483 – is harder to peg. The Social Security Administration helpfully points out that it could be “in tribute to the brave members of the U.S. military,” or perhaps because Major is the name of the youngest son of designers Cortney and Robert Novogratz on the HGTV show “Home by Novogratz.”
Parents submit children’s names when applying for Social Security numbers when they’re born. Popular names sometimes reflect characters in pop culture, style icons or plain old demographic changes.The names Gael and Perla also rose fast in 2012, the Social Security Administration said, noting that both are popular among Spanish speakers.
Rounding out the top 10 for boys in 2012 were Mason, Ethan, Noah, William, Liam, Jayden, Michael, Alexander and Aiden. Jacob has dominated the top spot since 1999. Liam made its debut in the top 10 in 2012, booting Daniel.
For girls, other top names were Emma, Isabella, Olivia, Ava, Emily, Abigail, Mia, Madison and Elizabeth. It’s not Elizabeth’s first trip to the top, but it did replace Chloe on the list in 2012.
CNN’s Doug Gross contributedto this report.
