'Not so fashionable': 'Vance' drops in popularity as a baby name

12 May

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U.S. Social Security Administration reports the name “Vance” is slipping in popularity.

The agency releases an annual list of the most popular baby names, but information shows between 2023 and 2024, the name Vance fell 41 places, from the 955th most popular baby name for boys to No. 996 ― one of its lowest-ever rankings in the annual SSA lists, which date to the 1880s.

Sophie Kihm, the editor-in-chief of Nameberry, told Huffpost recent politics is likely playing a role.

“On the whole, parents are likely avoiding the name Vance because it’s simply not so fashionable anymore, but JD Vance is likely accelerating its decline,” said Kihm. “Political names tied to presidents and VPs were very common in the early 20th century, but today’s parents generally stay away from overt political associations in baby names.”

The more positive influence of politicians on baby names was evident as far back as the late 1800s.

“Grover Cleveland pushed both his first and last names into the Top 100 in 1884,” said Abby Sandel, the creator of the baby name blog Appellation Mountain. “Bryan first trended way back in 1896, when William Jennings Bryan ran for ― and lost ― the presidency. The name Franklin spiked in 1933, as FDR took office.”

But JD Vance is “a polarizing figure” and “the most dominant association with the name ‘Vance’,” said Kihm.

“Parents that may have otherwise considered the name ‘Vance’ may have nixed it from their lists to avoid assumptions or questions about their political affiliations,” she said.

The Social Security administration noted the name ‘Elon’ rose by a few births in its 2024 report, but Kihm predicted a “reverse” of that in upcoming 2025 data.

Read the full Huffington Post story here.

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