With profound thanks to "The Frozen Effect," "Elsa" is one of the most popular baby names of 2014. It made the top 500 names, showing up on the list for the first time in 97 years. Apparently, kids weren't the only ones obsessed with Frozen. They are plenty of parents listening to "Let It Go" by choice. Elsa was the 286th most popular name in 2014. According to the Social Security Administration's data, 1,131 girls were named Elsa in 2014. In 2013, there were 528. (Bizarrely enough, the name "Anna" doesn't seem to be having the same traction. It was always a popular name, and has held its position in the 34th spot.)
It is truly not for me to judge what you name your kid. But as someone who never actually saw Frozen, I'm not particularly charmed by the name Elsa. Naming your baby that is just asking for people to sing Frozen songs at her constantly and to accidentally call her Elise a lot during elementary school. Plus, while you might think Halloween will be incredibly straightforward, you can only reuse the princess costume so many times before it gets to be a little much. (I would know, because I was Wednesday Adams way too many times as a child.)
Here are 5 baby names we'd like to see rise faster than Elsa:
1. Ruth
From her support of gay marriage to her Hobby Lobby dissent, RBG has had a huge year. And, as we all know, she's built her career on incredible contributions to the US government. Let's stop assuming that anyone named Ruth was born in the '60s and get this name back on the rise.
2. Maya
I'm biased because, if you haven't noticed, my name's Maya. (Not only is it a Sanskrit word, but Maya Angelou also spoke at my mom's commencement.) Anyway, seeing as it's my name, you really can't get a more authentic endorsement. Maya Angelou, who passed away over a year ago, made huge strides for her community and published literary works that will be taught in classrooms for centuries (hopefully).
3. Hillary
This choice requires no explanation. It's an obvious, clear, and beautiful name choice. (For us to boost this name, make sure you put 2 "L"s in it.)
4. Ruby
If we're going to be pulling names from Hollywood anyway, why not skip the Disney princesses and go straight to the OITNB star? Watch the video she made about fluid gender identity and it will have you seriously considering "Ruby" as a name. She's gorgeous as hell and is bosom buddies with Justin Bieber. Sort of.
5. Bree
As in Bree Newsome, the South Carolina woman who removed the Confederate flag that was flying over the statehouse. This activist scaled a flagpole, for crying out loud. If you want your kid to be brave and calm amidst adversity, Bree should be on your name list. (It guarantees that your child will get into Gryffindor.)
Images: Getty Images(5)
