Trophy by ilovememphis at Flickr
It’s official. The trophies go to Louisa and Nathaniel!
In the final round of play, Louisa bested Elodie, 229 to 140 votes, or 62%.
The boys’ round was more interesting. Nathaniel, you’ll recall, was wrongly ousted in the Semi-Finals. He was returned for the Finals, leaving us with a three-way contest.
And wouldn’t you know it? Nathaniel came out on top, with 157 votes, or 43% of the total. Archer was in second with 115, or 32%. Finn finished up in third with 92 votes, or 25%.
Very few of the names profiled here rank in the US Top 100, but the winner of March Madness for the boys came in at #76 in 2009. In fact, he’s been in the Top 100 since 1978, making him something of a staple.
Louisa is less surprising as a favorite. She left the US rankings after 1969 and has yet to return. But with her fashionable first letter and her oo sound, she’s definitely on trend.
Thanks for playing! And what do you think of the outcome?
Just the two I’d voted for! I do like Louisa quite a bit. My late Mother’s name was Louise, and I’ve always liked that up front, but many people on naming boards tell me it is too ‘old’ (though that’s not necessarily the case in Europe).
Louisa sounds a lot more fresh to most, it seems.
I love Louisa–this was such a great idea. I can’t wait to do it again next year. 🙂
Yay, Nathaniel and Louisa! Nathaniel is my third son’s name, so I’m definitely biased, but I think it is far superior to either Finn or Archer.
I have to say I REALLY enjoyed the March Madness 🙂
I’m thrilled beyond thrilled that Louisa won! Louisa has a special place in my heart (My Italian great-grandmother was Luisa and my mother’s middle is Louise after Luisa) I feel like Louisa incorporates both of those wonderful ladies AND as you (Abby) said, its right on trend. What more could I ask for?! 🙂
I’m not as thrilled about Nathaniel taking the trophy. I would have loved to see Archer take it all! oh well 🙂
I was hoping Louisa would win! She’s so charming and classy. I can’t use her myself — I have a rule about none of my kids’ names ending with the same sound — but I’d be pleased to see her appear in more BAs.
I wasn’t particularly thrilled with any of the three final boys’ names, but do prefer staple Nathaniel over up-and-comers Archer and Finn.
Oh, and thank you for helping this pregnant-and-almost-due lady make it through the month of March! It was pleasant having something so fun mark the passage of time.
Three cheers for Nathaniel and Louisa! They were my favorites from the beginning, and I’m happy others who participate in this blog favored them too. What a fine 19th century literary pairing – Nathaniel Hawthorne, b. 1804 in Salem, MA, and Louisa May Alcott. b. 1832 in Germantown, PA. I think it may have been to Nathaniel’s advantage that he competed in the finals against two more trendy names, thus splitting that vote. March Madness was fun; I hope you’ll do it again next year.
Yes — my thoughts exactly!
Altho I don’t much like either name I appreciate the historical ties.
Thank you Abby for March Madness! We Name Fans take our names as seriously as sports fans take their basketball, so it was great to pick from the Most Popular Names at Appellation Mountain. Looking forward to next year’s showdown 🙂
I am so glad that Louisa won! What a great name!
I really wanted Eamon to win (what a great name!) but Nathaniel was my second so YIPPEE!
Huzzah, Louisa! 😀
I’m not so thrilled Nathaniel won, though. Archer’s been my favorite from the second round. Soooo close!
I’m sick of Finn already, it’s on every 5th kid at the local mall these days but Nathaniel’s like Benjamin for me. I know soo many! It’s rather *yawn* alright.
as a side note: the newest “Your Child Can Read” promo is running on Sprout right now and an Archer and a Rex are among the boys featured in it! I am so happy seeing that commercial air every 4 or so hours! Archer! Rex!
No big deal, but Louisa bested Elodie (not Adele) in the final ?.
I love Louisa, but I prefer Archer or Finn to Nathaniel. Probably cause I’ve known several Nathaniel, but no Finn’s or Archer’s. Yet.
Ack! You’re right – thank you.
I’d predicted Louisa to win, so I’m glad about that. But it feels a bit musty and boring to me.
I’m glad about Nathaniel because I really like the name, but I’d predicted Eamon to win. I didn’t do well at all with my boys bracket.