According to the Social Security Administration (SSA) data covering the last 100 years in the United States, the most popular male name is James and the most popular female name is Mary.
While determining the single "most popular name in history" globally is incredibly complex due to varying cultures, languages, and historical records, the provided reference offers valuable insight into naming trends within the U.S. over the past century.
Top Names Over the Last 100 Years in the US
The SSA compiles data on names given to babies born in the United States. The reference specifically highlights the most frequently used names for boys and girls over the entire period from 1923 to 2022.
Here are the top-ranked names from that dataset:
| Rank | Male Name | Female Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James | Mary |
| 2 | Michael | Patricia |
| 3 | Robert | Jennifer |
This data indicates that names like James and Mary have maintained significant popularity across many generations within the United States, leading them to the top spots when looking at the cumulative numbers over a century.
For more detailed information on baby name trends in the U.S., you can visit the official source: Top Names Over the Last 100 Years - SSA.
Understanding the historical context of name popularity involves looking at cultural shifts, immigration patterns, and even popular culture influences over time. The SSA data provides a clear picture of the enduring appeal of certain names in the American context over the last century.
