March 18, 2005

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Michael and Emily still reign as the most popular baby names, according to the annual review of vital statistics collected by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

In 2003, there were 1,358 newborns named Michael. Jacob was in second place with 1,274 newborns receiving that name.

Michael resumed the top spot in 2002, after having been displaced in 2000 and 2001 by Jacob as the favorite boys’ name. Prior to that, Michael had been the most popular male baby name in Illinois since at least 1968, the first year names data were tabulated.

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

For girls, Emily has been the favorite name since 1997. In 2003, 1,132 newborns were given that name.

The only new top 10 entry for girls in 2003 was Elizabeth, which climbed in popularity from 11 th place to seventh, while Samantha fell from ninth place to 12 th place. Emma was again second behind Emily; Olivia moved up to third place from fourth; Abigail jumped from seventh place to fourth; and Grace remained in fifth place. Rounding out the top10 were Madison, Elizabeth, Alexis, Hannah and Ashley.

Nationally in 2003, according to statistics compiled by the Social Security Administration, Jacob was the most popular boy name and Emily was the most popular girl name.

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 182,393 births.

Other birth vital statistics recorded were the largest baby (14 pounds, 12 ounces), the day most births occurred (July 1, 666), the day with the fewest births (Dec. 25, 265), the month with the most births (July, 16,641), the month with the fewest births (February, 13,742), the oldest mother (51) and the oldest father (81). The median age of parents at the time of birth were: father, 31.1 years, and mother, 28.2 years.