Because we wanted a reasonably unusual name for our daughter, I used the web site Behind the Name to find the frequency of the various contenders. Ella was born (and named) on July 17, 2002. At the time I was a little concerned, because her name had moved, according to the Social Security Administration, from 377th place in 1999 to 268th in 2000 and then to 195th in 2001. But 195th was still very uncommon. I should have known what was coming:

2002: Ella is .179 of girls’ names for 92nd most common.

2003: Ella is .294 of girls’ names for 44th most common.

2004: Ella is .409 of girls’ names for 29th most common.

I have only one thing to say about this: Stop naming your girls after my daughter!

I will be even more peeved if I find out that her middle name, “Qian-Qian,” is taking off.

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