Ready or not, it’s time for the next round of the boys’ New Names Showdown 2019. Two of the first round matches were blowouts … but that doesn’t necessarily mean those names are the ones to beat.
If you’re new here, the New Names Showdown is our annual attempt to pick the newest, hottest of the baby names. Every May, the US Social Security Administration releases data on the most popular choices for babies born in the prior calendar year, with all eyes on the 1,000 most popular choices. Some of those names are either brand new to the Top 1,000 list, or back after an absence of a year – or more!
Our contenders in the New Names Showdown all come from my favorites from that list.
But it’s your votes that determine which of those new names take home the title. And you’re really good at choosing boy names likely to trend. Past winners include Wilder, Shepherd, and Wells.
Here’s how the opening round shook out:
- New royal baby Archie trounced high fashion import Kenzo, taking more than 81% of the vote.
- In a similar fashion, rock royalty Bowie triumphed over cool Biblical boy Zakai, again with greater than 81% of the total.
- Gentlemanly Benedict racked up nearly 69% of the vote against place name Jericho.
- And in the closest contest of the opening round, Irish Torin took 65% of the vote, versus Hebrew Zev.
That means that Archie, Bowie, Benedict, and Torin advance.
Archie v. Torin
Archie may be the royal baby name, but Torin means chief. Which name will rule?
Bowie v. Benedict
Two British-ish B names for boys face off: rock star Bowie and Hollywood superstar Benedict.
Voting stays open through Thursday, July 18th. Check back on Saturday, July 21st to see which names advance to the Final Round. And, of course, to vote for the big winner!
