Emily and Jacob were the most popular baby names in the United States in 2007, according to the Social Security Administration.

Emily has topped the list since 1996.  Jacob has done so since 1999. Click here to see the Top 10 names in the U.S. for 2007.

Jacob topped the list in Oregon, too, but Emma was the most popular girls name. Emily was fourth, after Sophia and Isabella. Click here to see the Top 100 names in Oregon for 2007.

The Social Security Web site contains a wealth of interactive search tools related to baby names.

In addition to a list of the 1,000 most popular boys’ and girls’ names for 2007, the Web site has a list of the top 100 names for twins born in 2007.  Jacob and Joshua are again the most popular twin’s names.

The site also offers lists of baby names for each year since 1880.  You can even search for a name's popularity over an extended span of years.

Although “American Idol’s” Sanjaya did not influence this year’s list, other young celebrities influenced the naming of American children.  The 2007 success of popular race car driver Danica Patrick undoubtedly inspired her first name moving from number 352 to number 307.  Similarly, the name of the first pick in the 2007 NFL draft, Oakland Raiders’ quarterback JaMarcus Russell, rose from number 914 to number 743 on the boys’ list.

Shiloh, the youngest daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, debuted on the list at number 804. Maddox, the name of their oldest child, has seen steady gains since first appearing on the list in 2003 at number 583 and now ranking at number 226.  Suri, the name of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes' daughter, did not make the list.  But Britney Spears' second son is named Jayden, which ranked at number 18.  Miley is new to the girls’ list this year, entering fairly high at number 278, attributable to the popularity of teen sensation Miley Cyrus.

For reasons likely to puzzle baby name experts around the world, American parents have become infatuated by names, particularly for their sons, that rhyme with the word “maiden.”  These names for boys include:  Jayden (No. 18); Aiden (No. 27); Aidan (No. 54); Jaden (No. 76); Caden (No. 92); Kaden (No. 98); Ayden (No.102); Braden (No.156); Cayden (No.175); Jaiden (No.191); Kaiden (No. 220); Aden (No. 264); Caiden (No. 286); Braeden (No. 325); Braydon (No. 361); Jaydon (No. 415); Jadon (No. 423); Braiden (No. 529); Zayden (No. 588); Jaeden (No. 593); Aydan (No. 598); Bradyn (No. 629); Kadin (No. 657); Jadyn (No. 696); Kaeden (No. 701); Jaydin (No. 757); Braedon (No. 805); Aidyn (No. 818); Haiden (No. 820); Jaidyn (No. 841); Kadyn (No. 878); Jaydan (No. 887); Raiden (No. 931); and Adin (No. 983).  This startling trend was present, but less pronounced, with girls names:  Jayden (No. 172); Jadyn (No. 319); Jaden (No. 335); Jaiden (No. 429); Kayden (No. 507); and Jaidyn (No. 561). 

Experts also may be surprised by the extent to which American parents are naming their daughters after spiritual and philosophical concepts. 

One of the most popular names for girls (rising this year to number 31) is Nevaeh, which is “Heaven” spelled backwards.  The variant Neveah came in this year at number 891 and Heaven is number 263.  Also represented were:  Destiny (No. 41); Trinity (No. 72); Serenity (No. 126); Harmony (No. 315); Miracle (No. 461); Charity (No. 673); Journey (No. 692); Destini (No. 914); and Essence (No. 930).  Cutting against this trend was Armani (No. 971). 

American parents were far less likely to name their sons in this way, although the 2007 boys’ list does include Sincere (No. 622) and Messiah (No. 723).

Top 100 girls and boys names in Oregon, 2007, with number of children by name