Name Game

Social Security has released its tally of the country's most popular baby names in 2004.

For the boys, "Jacob" remains the most popular, followed by "Michael," "Joshua," "Matthew" and "Ethan."

Among girls, "Emily" was tops for the ninth year in a row, proceeded by "Emma," "Madison," "Olivia" and "Hannah."

Our little guy's name, "Evan," ranked 39 out of the top 1000 most popular boys' names for 2004 -- the best showing ever for the moniker.

Here in California, "Daniel" was the most popular boys' name, then "Anthony," "Andrew," "Jose" and "Jacob." For girls, "Emily" led, then "Ashley," "Samantha," "Isabella" and "Natalie."

Our Evan was one of 1,045 born in California in 2004 (and one of the last, given his Christmas Eve birth) -- placing his name only 54th for the year in our fine state.

To nerd it up even more, the Social Security database allows you to find the most popular baby names for any year after 1880 ("John" and "Mary," by the way). So, of course, I typed in my birth year (1973) and -- surprise -- "Michael" was tops with boys that year. No wonder I knew so many Michaels growing up, as well as way too many Jennifers (the top name for girls that year).

"Michael," of course, has been popular for half a century (No. 1 or No. 2 every year since 1954), while "Jennifer" -- which was No. 1 from 1970 to 1984 -- ranked only No. 38 last year.