2009's top ten baby names for girls bring a new number one, and a new entry to the top ten!
Isabella is the new number one, taking over from Emma, who only managed one year at number one.
Ava and Abigail keep their rankings, at 5th and 8th spot respectively.
Elizabeth drops out of the top ten - but she'll pop back in again soon, I'm sure!
And let's have a round of applause for Mia who enters the top ten for the first time ever at number ten! It was the same story for Chloe last year, and she's moved up one place to rank at number 9.
So no great shocks within this group - but let's take a closer look at what's going on with our most popular baby girl names:
The top ten baby names for girls 2009 in the US
1. Isabella Now last year I predicted that Isabella "could well try to grab first rank next time" - and she's done it - thanks Isabella! This young lady has been moving up the ranks very well recently, and thoroughly deserves her crown.
How long will she stay in this privileged position? Well, it's always fun to guess... how about Isabella keeps her top spot for 2010 as well - unless we have a surprise takeover from Olivia or Sophia :)
2. Emma Emma did well to grab 1st place last year, and now she gracefully bows out to enjoy second place - phew! She's still doing very well within the top five, so Emma looks as though she's going to be popular for a while yet.
3. Olivia This is Olivia's best ranking ever since entering the top ten baby names group in 2001. She may quietly aim higher next time, or decide to take it easy for another year. Such a beautiful name... I think it would be fun if she grabbed second place for 2010!
4. Sophia Sophia moves up three places from number 7 last time - which is a relatively huge jump in the top ranked listings for girls. So definitely a name to watch here, as Sophia could even jump ahead of Olivia next time and give us all a surprise.
5. Ava From 25th place in 2004 to 9th place in 2005, it seemed Ava might go storming up the charts even further - but she seems to have got stuck around fourth and fifth place, and this year is no exception, as she stays put at number 5. Maybe she's a lady who's got where she wants - and now intends to stay there!
6. Emily Twelve years at the top for Emily, 3rd ranking in 2008, and this past year dropping three places to rank 6th. Emily entered the top ten in 1991, and has featured in the top 100 since 1973.
7. Madison Madison entered the top 1000 baby names list in 1985, and has made incredible progress. Her highest ranking was number 2 in 2001 and 2002. Slowly dropping down the top ten rankings at the moment, however.
8. Abigail Abigail appeared in the top 1000 lists in the late 1800s, but then disappeared for a while. She's been making her way up the rankings since the 1960s, entering the top 100 in 1989. In the top ten since 2001, and with a high point of 4th rank in 2005, Abigail stays number 8 for the third year in a row.
9. Chloe From 1880-1943, Chloe appears in the top 1000 baby name listings. She then disappears for nearly 40 years until 1982, and starts rising in popularity. A new entry to the top ten in 2008, Chloe moves up one place for 2009.
10. Mia The only new entry to the girls' top ten baby names in the US, Mia is making promising progress, having broken into the top 100 in 2000.
