Sophia, Jacob 2011 Most Popular Baby Names [Update]

Updated 5/18, 10:44 a.m.

The Social Security Administration released on Friday the top baby names in Connecticut in 2011.

While the top baby names for girls in the Nutmeg State practically mirrored the national list, the names parents chose for their sons in Connecticut was quite different. In fact, the state and national top five only had two names in common. Alexander was the most popular boy's name in Connecticut, followed by Michael, Mason, Ryan and Jacob.

For the girls, both lists had Sophia and Isabella in the #1 and #2 spots, respectively, but Emma ranked lower on the state list and came in at #5, thus pushing Olivia and Ava up to #3 and #4, respectively.

Original Story

A list released Monday by the Social Security Administration shows that the most popular baby names of 2011 were Sophia and Jacob, according to the Associated Press.

Jacob tops the list of popular boy names for the 13th straight year in a row, while Isabella drops to #2 after being on the top of the list for girl names for the past two years. Isabella is followed by Emma, Olivia and Ava. For the boys, Mason, William, Jayden and Noah round out the top five.

Laura Wattenberg, creator of babynamewizard.com, told AP that celebrities have an obvious influence over the names Americans choose for their children. Mason rose 10 spots last year following the birth of Kourtney Kardashian's son, while Briella jumped almost 400 spots after "Jerseylicious" reality TV star Briella Calafiore made her debut. Religion, according Wattenberg, also has a strong influence.

For those searching for more unique baby names, a (1786-1850) — which contains marriages and births in Montville — that includes Phamamenon, Achsah and Mehitabel.