SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Michael is back on top.

After reigning as the most boy popular name in Illinois for more than three decades, Michael had been displaced in 2000 and 2001 by Jacob as the favorite boys name. But in 2002, Michael is once again in its familiar spot amongst names most frequently selected by Illinois parents, according to an annual review of vital statistics collected by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

In 2002, there were 1,439 newborn boys named Michael and 1,405 Jacobs. Nationally, Jacob still ranks No. 1 with Michael in second place, according to statistics compiled by the Social Security Administration.

The other boys' names in the Illinois top 10 remain the same with only a couple changes in the ranking positions. Behind Michael and Jacob are Matthew, Daniel, Joshua, Nicholas, Anthony, Joseph, Alexander and Andrew.

For girls, Emily is still the most popular choice by Illinois parents, as is the case nationally. Emily has been the favorite name since 1997.

While there was stability at the top spot, following Emily were a number of changes. Making the biggest surge in popularity was Emma, which moved from 12th in the list of most selected names in 2001 to second in 2002. Also moving up the list were Madison, which rose from fifth in 2001 to third in 2002, and Olivia, which jumped from 10th to fourth in 2002. Other girls' names in the top 10 were Grace, Hannah, Abigail, Ashley, Samantha and Alexis.

The most popular names are part of the Department's annual compilation of vital statistics. More than a half million vital record events are logged each year as mandated by state statutes and federal uniform data collection requirements, including 180,555 births.

Other birth vital statistics recorded were the largest baby (14 pounds, 11 ½ ounces), the day most births occurred (July 2, 652), the day with the fewest births (Dec. 25, 288), the month with the most births (July, 16,611), the month with the fewest births (February, 13,746), the oldest mother (53) and the oldest father (87). The median age of parents at the time of birth were: father, 30.9 years, and mother, 28.1 years.