Cluster Articles

Pages linked into this editorial category.

What Was the Most Popular Name of 2009

In the United States, the most popular name of 2009 was Jacob for boys and Olivia for girls, based on the widest used and most systematically collected national birth data avail...

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Ritters: Meaning, Origins, and Cultural Use as a Surname and Title

Ritters most commonly functions as a German and Ashkenazic Jewish surname derived from the Middle High German rīter, rītār, meaning "knight" or "cavalier." As a title, Ritter...

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Jennifer: a durable profile of a common name and its notable bearers

The name Jennifer is a widely recognized given name of Cornish origin, derived from the medieval name Gwenhwyfar, meaning “white” or “fair” and “smooth” or “soft....

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What Is the Most Common First Name in America?

The most common first name in America is James for males and Mary for females across much of the twentieth century, though rankings have shifted in recent decades. For current b...

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