Top Baby Names Of 2012: Is Your Name Still Cool?

The Social Security Administration in Washington recently released the list of the most popular baby names in the United States. For many, it was a celebration; for others, it was evidence of the stark reality that their once hip moniker is now "old."

The number one male baby name in the United States in 2012 was Jacob, according to the SSA. The government body is the Washington version of "Cheers," as they most definitely know everybody's name, through the application process for Social Security cards and future benefits. Girls named Sophia can rejoice in their gold medal win this year.

Following Jacob were Mason, Ethan, Noah and William to round out the top five. The other top female names included Emma, Isabella, Olivia and Ava.

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Changing trends in baby names have always been something of a phenomenon. The popularity of some names tend to be somewhat cyclical while others are seemingly germane to a single era in history.

For much of the 19th Century, the name of our first president, George, was a consistent top five finisher. Clocking in at 166th in 2012, it is still one of the more prevalent male names. Charles is another name that has stood the test of time, but has become somewhat rare as a new baby name these days. In the top five until the Great Depression, and in the top ten throughout World War II, Charles finished 62nd in 2012.

In contrast, Joseph and Michael are consistently in the top 20 of male baby names, with Joseph being the 20^th most popular in 2012 and Michael eighth, after being the top name from 1954 through 1998 -- excluding one year.

On the girls' side, Lisa, the top name for nearly the entire 1960s, finished outside the top 500 in 2012 -- last breaking the top 100 in 1993. Helen was the number two name throughout much of the first half of the 20^th Century, but has since become only number 402 last year.

If Michael had a female counterpart in being one of the most popular names of the 20^th Century, it would be Mary, the number one name from 1913 through 1961 -- skipping a few years. Mary was number 123 in 2012.

A look at female names in general show that they indeed followed a much more decade-based popularity than boy names. Jacob and Michael have been number one and two for quite some time, while girl-name popularity tends to change drastically per decade. Emily led the list 1996-2006, Jessica for most of the late 80s and early 90s, Jennifer throughout the 1970s, and Lisa throughout the 60s as noted.

Find out where your name ranked in any given year by visiting the Social Security Administration's website.