In 2010, the top ten baby names for girls show no great surprises - and no new entries, meaning that the most popular baby names for girls in the US have just swapped rankings a little.
Isabella stays at number one - well done!
Sophia moves up two spots. From number 7 two years ago, she's made excellent progress. Will she claim the throne next year?
Ava stays in fifth place, and I don't think she'll be going much further up based on past performance.
Mia keeps her place at number 10 - will she stay in this elite group next time or drop out of the top ten?
The top ten baby names for girls 2010 in the US
1. Isabella I'm happy to say I predicted Isabella would keep her place this year :) She still holds a healthy percentage lead over Sophia - but can she hang on next time round?
2. Sophia As predicted, Sophia moved up ahead of Olivia - although I wasn't sure about Emma! But she's done it, and by a good margin. She poses a real threat to Emma for the 2011 rankings, and it will be interesting to see how she does in the future.
3. Emma From first place, to second last time, and now third - it looks like Emma's popularity is on the wane. She's been in the top ten for nine years now, however, so looks like she'll be around for quite some time yet!
4. Olivia I have to admit, I was hoping that Olivia might take second place this year, but Sophia and Emily were just too strong. At her tenth year in the top ten - is Olivia finally going to move down the rankings a little?
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 for the third year in a row. 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 now her second year in 6th place. Emily entered the top ten in 1991, and has featured in the top 100 since 1973.
7. 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 moves up one spot, swapping rankings with Madison.
8. 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, and another position drop in 2010.
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 moved up one place for 2009, and down one this time.
10. Mia The only new entry to the girls' top ten baby names in the US in 2009, Mia was making promising progress, having broken into the top 100 in 2000. I did expect her to move up the top ten baby name rankings, but she's just where she was last year.
