In “Romeo and Juliet,” which was written in the year 1594, William Shakespeare asked, “What’s in a name?” Juliet is prevented from marrying Romeo because his family is feuding with her family. Juliet is simply stating that his last name is all that is keeping them apart.

As it turns out, one’s name is a pretty big deal, and just before Mother’s Day, the Social Security Administration released its rankings of the most popular names given to babies born in 2023. And for the fifth year in a row, Liam is the most popular name for boys, and Olivia is the most popular name given to girls. Also, for the fifth year running, Noah and Emma were the runners up.

For 2023, here are the Top 10 Most Popular Girl’s Names:

1. Olivia
2. Emma
3. Charlotte
4. Amelia
5. Sophia
6. Mia
7. Isabella
8. Ava
9. Evelyn
10. Luna

But what’s fascinating is that none of those names were even remotely popular until just a generation ago.

While Oliva is the most popular girls name for the fifth year in a row, it’s a fairly new name, and was not even among the top 100 names until 1990. Back in 1900, the name Emma was the 13th most popular girls name, but quickly fell out of favor, and eventually fell out of the top 400. But the name saw a resurgence in the 1990’s, when it finally cracked the top 100. In fact, Emma was the most popular girl’s name in 2008 and has remained in the top 3 since then.

The name Charlotte was not even in the top 100 until 2008, but it has been the third most popular name for the past three years. Just three decades ago, Isabella wasn’t even ranked in the top 1,000! By 2000 it was ranked #45, and ten years later (in 2010) it was #1 and has ranked in the top 10 each year since then.

But the fastest-growing girl’s name is Luna. I must admit that I don’t know anyone with that name. But then again, I’m not around many babies. Two decades ago, the name Luna was not even in the Top 1,000! But by 2010 it climbed to #342. In 2016 it was #77, and finally made the Top 10 last year.

We’re in the era of “trendy” names, where a girl’s name will be popular for a short time, but will then fall out of favor within a few years. That’s a radical departure from generations ago, when Mary was the most popular name for 66 straight years (1880 to 1946).

Most Popular Baby Names for Girls:

• Mary – 1880 to 1946
• Linda – 1947 to 1952
• Mary (again) – 1953 to 1961
• Lisa - 1962 to 1969
• Jennifer - 1970 to 1984
• Jessica – 1985 to 1990
• Ashley - 1991 to 1993
• Jessica (again) – 1994 to 1995
• Emily - 1996 to 2007
• Emma - 2008
• Isabella – 2009 to 2010
• Sophia – 2011 to 2013
• Emma – 2014 to 2018
• Olivia – 2019 to Present

Another surprising trend is how some of the most popular names in previous generations are completely shunned today. Despite being the most popular girls name of the 20^th century, the name Mary is no longer among the top 100 names (it’s #135.) The name Linda is currently #852, Lisa is #850, Jennifer is #517, Jessica is #553, and Ashley is #126. Other popular names from the past have seen a similar fate: Susan is currently #975, Donna is #974, Nancy is #942, Patricia is #941, Barbara is #877.

Next week we’ll look at the most popular boy’s names.

Some soon-to-be parents buy books or visit websites devoted to finding the perfect baby name. Other babies are named after relatives. Some parents choose unique names, while others focus on names that are easy to spell and pronounce. Biblical names have always been popular (and as we’ll see next week, Biblical names for boys are on the rise – but with an interesting twist!) Parents are intentional and deliberate about the names they give to their children.

But in Scripture, we read about a name that was thrust upon a group, and in a somewhat derogatory way! In the Book of Acts, we find a seemingly simple, eight-word sentence that still has an impact on how you and I describe ourselves: “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26).

Today, the word “Christians” refers to those who believe that Jesus was the Messiah, and the Greek word literally means “follower of Christ.” But that term is found only three times in the Bible, and was never used by the followers of Jesus used to describe themselves.

So if the early believers didn’t refer to themselves as “Christians,” what term did they use? The first, and one of the most frequently used, phrases used by the early followers of Christ was “brothers and sisters,” but is often translated as “brethren.” In the original Greek manuscripts of Acts, this term is used 23 times, but many English translations simply use the word “Believers.”

Some groups of Christians referred to themselves as “Saints.” While that may seem like an arrogant form of self-identification, bear in mind that the original Greek word for “Saint” referred to “someone who is Holy.” It’s important to note that, whenever this word is used, it’s in the plural, showing us that the early Christians considered themselves to be a community of people working and living together in the service of God.

Perhaps the most common term used by the early followers of Jesus when referring to themselves was “the way.” This came from a passage from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, “Prepare a way for the Lord” (Isaiah 40:3.) Jesus told his followers, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). This term is used six times in the Book of Acts.

Antioch was one of the largest, wealthiest, and most important cities in the Roman Empire, and many early believers had moved there, and the church was growing and making an impact on that culture and community. At that time, it was common for the Greeks to give satirical nicknames to particular groups. For example, those who were loyal to Roman General Sulla were called “Sullanians,” and those who were supporters of the Roman General Pompey were called “Pompeians.” And now, this new religious sect was becoming more and more known, and since they were characterized by behavior and speech centered on Christ, the Greeks called them “Christians,” or “those who follow Christ.” The term was meant as a mocking insult. In fact, years later, Peter actually tells his readers not to be ashamed if they are called by this word (1 Peter 4:16.)

While the cynics on Antioch were trying to mock and insult the early followers of Christ, they are were actually doing the opposite. They were coining a phrase that would forever describe (and define) those men and women who devote their lives to following and serving Jesus.

Friends, neither you nor I can change the name that was given to us at birth. But we can decide whether or not to live as one who follows Christ. I pray that each of us will choose to follow “the way.”

I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday. Until then, know that you are loved.

Joe

Did you know the church is able to accept stock donations through our Schwab account? Contact the church office for more information.

At Mountain View, we are a praying church, and we have assurance and confidence that God hears our prayers, whether celebration and joys, or heartfelt cries and pain. We invite you (and encourage you) to pray for the following people and circumstances:

• Pray for John Trent, who is having spinal cord implant surgery on Friday, June 28.
• Pray for Dianne Patterson, who is recovering from hybrid ablation surgery.
• Pray for Mitch Kellar, who is recovering from a broken shoulder.
• Pray for Donna Scott, the mother of Tanya Cannon. Donna is in the hospital with pneumonia, and will then have two weeks of rehab.
• Pray for Shirley Adams, the mother of Terri Kellar. Shirley was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer and will be having major surgery in the upcoming weeks.
• Pray for Libba Parden, who is at home recovering after being hospitalized with pneumonia.
• Pray for Sue-Ellen Brogdon, who is facing health issues.
• Pray for Denise Moroney's cousins in California, as they are having to evacuate their house because of the forest fires.
  
• Pray for Sue Spann's niece, Gloria Mattix, who is battling cancer.
  
• Pray for Bob Stockwell, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. Also pray for his wife, Jill.
  
• Pray for Rev. Hugh Donald Herrin, who is the father of Anne Taylor's caregiver. Rev. Herrin has Alzheimer's, and has taken a turn for the worse.
  
• Pray for Emma Kate, the granddaughter of Emily Adams' aunt, as their family faces some difficult issues.
  
• Pray for Lauren Whitfield, who is facing some medical issues.
• Pray for Pam Johnson, who is bedridden with Parkinson's. She is a friend of Joanne Mazula.
  
• Pray for Marie Boatright, who is recovering from liver surgery. She is a friend of Joanne Mazula.
• Pray for Eileen Jedlicka, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. She is a friend of Joanne Mazula.
• Pray for Michelle Salmon, who is in Hospice. She is the grandmother of Kristen Woodruff. Also pray for Kristen's mother, Kim McKinney, who is the one caring for Michelle.
  
• Pray for Robert McKechnie, the father of Joe McKechnie. Robert had been battling cancer, but found out that it has spread to his bones.
  
• Pray for Sharon Basal, who is now living in the Signature Nursing Home by Kennestone.
  
• Pray for Anne Taylor's nephew, Kenny Taylor, who is having health issues.
  
• Pray for Sandra Logan, who has been diagnosed with cancer. Sandra is a dear friend of Dianne Patterson.
  
• Pray for Tina Gillies (the cousin of Joanne Mazula). Tina has cancer in her colon, liver, and lungs, and has started chemo in Tennessee).
  
• Pray for Sid Orr, whose cancer has spread to his bones, keeping him from being able to walk.
• Pray for Israel.
• Pray for the people of Ukraine, as well as Christian missionaries who are in ministry there.
  
• Pray for Caroline, a little girl with brain cancer.
• Pray for our military - we thank them for serving in harm's way for our freedoms.

If you would like to share a prayer request with us, please email Dr. Joe at Joe@mv-church.org.