Sophia and Jacob Top Baby Names Again in 2012

It's another banner year for the Jacobs and Sophias in the country, as both names carry on consecutive number one spots on the most popular baby names list.

Jacob has topped the list for 14 years, while Sophia enters the second year at number one.

According to the Social Security Administration, the only new names on the list are Elizabeth and Liam, which replaced last year's Chloe and Daniel.

This marks the first year on the list for Liam, which the SSA said may be due to the rising popularity of actor Liam Neeson.

Out of the top 10, the SSA said the fastest rising girls name is Arya, the name of a sword fighting Game of Thrones character.

For boys, the fastest rising name was Major. 

Acting Commissioner Colvin said, “I have no doubt Major’s rising popularity as a boy’s name is in tribute to the brave members of the U.S. military, and maybe we’ll see more boys named General in the future.”

The SSA has been compiling the most popular baby name lists since 1997, with the agency’s website providing lists of baby names for each year since 1880.   

Girls

1. Sophia
2. Emma
3. Isabella
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Mia
9. Madison
10. Elizabeth

Boys

1. Jacob
2. Mason
3. Ethan
4. Noah
5. William
6. Liam
7. Jayden
8. Michael
9. Alexander
10. Aiden