The first thing everyone does at this site is look up their own name.
Having the now-unusual name Harvey, I was very surprised to discover that, as late as the 1930’s, it was in the top 100 for most common boys’ names.
By the year 2000, it had fallen out of the top 1000.
After your own name, you will start looking up names of friends/spouses/lovers (I only had to look up one, your mileage may vary).
Then things will start getting weird.
In my case, I checked out the popularity of the name “Susan” for boys. Turned out it became a minor fad in the 30’s, but stopped dead after the 60’s:
Coincidentally, Johnny Cash released “A Boy Named Sue” in 1969.
My theory? A whole bunch of old men got their asses beat, and fathers in general wised up because of it.
There may or may not be a Tea Party metaphor lodged in this story.
[Think you have a link that’s IMAO-worthy? Send it to harvolson@gmail.com. If I use your link, you will receive High Praise! (assuming you remember to put your name in the email)]
UPDATE: Linked by Ace of Spades HQ
UPDATE: Linked by Conservative Underground
My name was never in the top 100 at any time. No wonder Miss Lois on Romper Room never saw me in her magic mirror.
Hell, my front name is “Harold!” Really! Mom and Daddy named me after a man that lived to be 103 years old.
Crud…
So, let’s try this…t
My name peaked at 21st overall in the 1890’s and finally fell of the chart after 2006.
I put my name in and this is what I got…Namipedia has no entry for Zzyzx. That’s it these people shall get no more of my buisness.
i don’t know how good this reference tool is. It didn’t have the name Ajuji,, which my son in law and daughter threatened to name their first child (in jest).
My second daughter swore she would name her first daughter Ushreeka, thank goodness he had twin boys and is not in a hurry to have more.
A least it wasn’t U-a other wise know as U dash a teehee.
“she ” had twin boys