SPRINGFIELD, IL – Michael's more than three-decade run as the favorite choice of Illinois parents for their baby boys continued, while Emily remained the most popular female baby name for the third consecutive year, according to the 1999 Illinois Department of Public Health vital statistics report.

Michael has been the most popular male baby name in Illinois since at least 1968, the first year names data were tabulated. While Michael has not relinquished the top spot, the number of parents selecting that name for boys has steadily declined.

In 1980, parents chose Michael 3,886 times. However, by 1995, the number was down to 2,205 and dropped to1,951 in 1998 and to 1,778 in 1999. Michael led popularity runner-up Matthew by 1,234 in 1990, but the margin between Michael and Jacob, the current runner-up, was just 250 in 1998 and only 103 in 1999.

The 1999 list of the most popular names for boys had few changes from the previous year. The top five names -- Michael, Jacob, Matthew, Nicholas and Daniel -- remained the same. The only new boy name in the top 10 was Ryan, which moved into to ninth place from 13th a year ago, replacing Brandon.

Among the favorite names for girls , the top nine were the same as in 1998, although some of the rankings had changed. Emily has experienced a steady rise in popularity over the past two decades in Illinois. In 1980, Emily was the 37th most popular girl name but, by 1990, was up to 12th. Emily reached the top 10 in 1990 and took over at No. 1 in 1997.

After Emily, Hannah was the second most popular name in 1999, up from fifth the previous year. Hannah first appeared in the top 10 girl names in 1995, rose to as high as fourth in 1997, fell back in 1998 to ninth and then surged again in 1999. Grace was the lone newcomer in the top 10 list, rising from 34th in 1998 to 10th and replacing Alyssa, which dropped to 14th.

Nationally in 1999, according to the Social Security Administration, Jacob was the most popular boys name, followed by Michael, Matthew, Nicholas and Christopher, while Emily was the top choice of parents for girls, followed by Sarah, Brianna, Samantha and Hailey.

The most popular names are part of the Department's compilation of 1999 vital statistics. The Department records about a half million vital record events each year – births (182,027), deaths (108,122), marriages (86,961), divorces (41,112) and other statistics mandated by state statutes and federal uniform data collection requirements.

Other vital statistics from 1999 include the largest baby (13 pounds, 10 ounces), the day most births occurred (Sept. 9, 662), the day with the fewest births (April 4, 282), the month with the most births (July, 16,408), the month with the fewest births (February, 13,657), the oldest mother (52) and the oldest father (75).

The oldest groom was 95 and the oldest bride was 92 and, yes, they married each other. The month with the most marriages was September with 9,718, and the month with the least number of marriages was January with 3,889.

The most deaths occurred on Dec. 27 (392) and the fewest deaths were recorded on Aug. 20 (223). January had the most deaths of any month (10,517), while September had the fewest (8,059). The oldest male who died in 1999 was 108 years of age and the oldest female who died last year was 111.

The month with the most divorces was December (4,053) and the month with the least was January (2,727). The oldest male divorcee was 96 and the oldest female divorcee was 92; but, no, they were not married to each other.