.jpg)
'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' - Kimberley French/Summit Ent.
It's been noted for a while that the name Bella topped pet name charts for 2009 and that it also joined Jacob atop the list of 2009's most popular baby names, but the Chicago Tribune has revealed that the Twilight series' impact on baby names extends much further than previously thought.
According to their report, 17 girls were named Renesmee in 2009 alone. [*Spoiler warning*] Renesmee, of course, is the name of Bella and Edward's baby in Breaking Dawn, and in the book it originates from both of the characters' mothers (Renee and Esme), so it is completely original to the story. Renesmee's middle name, Carlie, comes from Carlisle and Charlie, the characters' fathers.
"Carlisle, a name chosen for precisely zero U.S. boys in 2005," was given to twelve boys in 2009, the Chicago Tribune reports.
A few further statistics were revealed by the report, including the following numbers:
- 2005: 'Twilight' is published
(Jacob and Emily are the top U.S. names)
1,657 babies are named Bella
751 babies are named Alice
450 babies are named Jasper
380 babies are named Emmett
278 babies are named Cullen - 2009: The 'Twilight' movie, 'New Moon,' is released
(Jacob and Isabella are the top U.S. names)
4,490 baby girls are named Bella
1,251 girls are named Alice
947 boys are named Emmett
928 boys are named Jasper
555 boys are named Cullen
As the Tribune notes, "It's difficult to pinpoint the precise degree of 'Twilight's' influence on the more than 4 million baby names chosen annually in the U.S., in part because [author Stephenie] Meyer chose names for her characters that were either already high on the hot list (Jacob), rising (Bella, Alice, Jasper, Emmett) or related to those that were," but still, looking at the raw data offered for the years 2005 and 2009, it seems there must be some significant correlation.
Twilight Examiner: Twitter • Facebook • YouTube • Email
Comments
I adopted a rescue dog this spring who was already named Alice. I kept it. Two doors down is her doggie friend Bella. I always laugh when I have Bella over to play with Alice.
And then there is my daughter Jane. But she was born in 2005. ;-)
I cant believe people actually named their baby Renesmee. It makes sense for Edward and Bella...but its ridiculous how affected our society is by pop culture. Renesmee isn't a name! Cant people just like the twilight saga without putting their kids at risk of getting bullied in school for having a stupid name??
no edward???
My aunt is obessed with Twilight, so guess what my cousin's names are? I have three girl cousins named Bella, Alice and Esme. And she also just had a set of triplets, all boys. Guess what they're names are? Edward, Carlisle, and Jasper.
All we do is laugh about it now.
I feel sorry for those poor girls named Renesmee.
renesmee is a beautiful names and if i have a baby one day i would named them Edward or Isabella. Those names are all so beautiful
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!