Dear Emmas,
We want to extend a hearty congratulations to all you Emmas out there for having the most popular baby girl name in 2017, according to the Social Security Administration. How Emma-zing! How Emma-powering!
And how Emma-barrassing for Olivia, Ava, Isabella, Sophia, Mia, Charlotte, Amelia, Evelyn and Abigail. Those girls names, in order, rounded out the Top 10.
Not only are the Emmas most popular, they continue their streak. This is the fourth year year in a row to be most Emma-ulated.
While this column is more for the gals, let us not forget the Liams too. You guys not only had the most popular boys name, you had the most popular boys name for the first time ever! Better luck next year, Noah, William, James, Logan, Benjamin, Mason, Elija, Oliver and Jacob -- those boy names, in order, round out the Top 10.
Back to the Emmas. We know most of you are not old enough to read this yet. But still maybe you can get your parents -- the Jessicas and Ashleys and the Michaels and Christophers (those were the most popular names back in 1993) -- to communicate this to you.
From 1918-2017, 544,373 babies have been born with the name Emma. Now before you go getting too self-Emma-portant, let's put this in perspective. You're in 49th place overall, OK? You've got a long way to go before you even make it to "Emily" status --20th place, 813,822 births. So don't even start eyeing the ranks of Mary (1st place, 3,393,456 births), Patricia (2nd place, 1,564,163) and yours truly (3rd place, 1,465,928) just yet.
That being said, being the most popular girl in school -- well, at least in name -- is a really big thrill in life. You get invited to all the parties ... even if it's by mistake -- oh, oops, they didn't mean you, they meant the other Emma.
Having the No. 1 name is the best thing ever. Until ...
• You go to school. And the first friends you meet are Emma, Emma, Emma, Emma and Emma. And so you have to come up with nicknames/new spellings to keep yourselves separated. She's Emma. She's Em. She's Emm. She's Emi. She's Emy. And that makes you Emmy -- and great, now you share your name with an award. Until another Emmy joins the class and you decide to become Emmi. Your Aunt Jennifers -- who have been Jenny, Jenni, Jen and Jenn -- know your pain.
• You go to a gift shop. And there are never personalized items with your name on it. No keychains. No refrigerator magnets. No pencils. No pens. No mugs. No bracelets. No necklaces. No shot glasses. Because Emma, Em, Emm, Emi, Emy and Emmy already bought them. And just forget getting anything with a generic "E" because you're now competing with the Evelyns and Elijas, as well as the entire Emma-pire.
• You want to make a name for yourself. So much for being a first-name phenom like Madonna, Oprah, Cher, Celine, Rihanna, Bjork, Shakira, Adele and Kesha. Besides, there are already a few famous members of the Emma-sphere who are a good many years ahead of you: Emma Watson, Emma Stone, Emma Thompson. You'll have to get a nickname like Emma "Baby Spice" Bunton. And, sorry, Eminem has already been taken.
• You grow up. The name that once seemed so fresh and unique will become super dated in as few as 10 to 20 years. That's when "Emma" will cease to mean "an English name derived from the Old German for 'whole' or 'universal,' popular since the 19th century," as BabyCenter.com defines it. "Emma" will just come to mean "born in 2017." And one day, you'll be in the retirement village, playing canasta with fellow meemaws Emma, Em, Emm, Emi, Emy and Emmy.
So enjoy this short-lived popularity while it lasts. Trust us. We know a little something about this.
Love,
The Jennifers (most popular name 1970-1984)
Email:
jchristman@arkansasonline.com
Spin Cycle is a weekly smirk at pop culture.
Style on 05/20/2018