Isabella and Jayden are continuing their reign as the most popular names for babies in New York City, officials announced Wednesday. But look out for more Aidens, Alexanders and Emmas.
The latest top 10 name lists cover some 123,029 infants born citywide last year. Isabella has been the most popular girls' name and Jayden the top boys' name for three years.
But tell that to Stanley Marthone and Kimberly Harris, the Brooklyn parents of Jayden Alexander Marthone, who turns 1 next month.
"We thought it was different," the 25-year-old Harris said with a laugh. "Who would have thought it was so popular?"
A couple of celebrity kids may have helped make it so. Pop singer Britney Spears has a son named Jayden and Jaden Smith — the 14-year-old son of movie stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith — is now an actor in his own right.
As for Isabella Pal, also born last year in Brooklyn, mom Natalia Lattanzio, 30, said she has liked the name since her own childhood. Her husband readily agreed, she said.
Jayden Marthone and Isabella Pal were guests of honor as Mayor Bloomberg released the name rundown at City Hall. While the lists are similar to the 2010 top 10, Aiden and Alexander supplanted Joseph and Joshua near the end of the boys' list, and Sofia edged out Sarah among girls. (The separately-listed Sophia is number 2; Jacob is in the No. 2 slot for boys.)
Local
"I am glad to see, from a personal basis, that Michael — a fine name — moved up a couple of notches," the mayor quipped. It's now number 5, up from 7 in 2010.
Gaining ground on the girls' list is Emma, up from number 7 to 4.
Overall, the number of new New Yorkers declined about 1.4 percent last year from 2010. It takes several months to compile the list of the most popular names because many birth certificates are initially filed without names and are updated later.
Sophia and Jacob were the top baby names nationwide in 2011.
Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime: iPhone/iPad App | SMS Alerts | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Instagram | RSS
