Rich, famous and glamorous, celebrities live a lifestyle most people only imagine. Using data from Gracenote and PrettyFamous, MooseRoots set out to determine which names are more common among celebrities than the general population.
To do this, we analyzed the first names of 23,797 male and 13,843 female celebrities (featured on television or film) born after 1950 to identify the most common names among superstars of each gender. By averaging¹ the birth years of celebrities with a given name, we were able to compare name frequencies among celebrities against that of the general population born the same year. We’ve highlighted names with the highest relative frequencies among celebrities, and ranked the list from lowest to highest increased frequency among celebrities.
Note: ¹ We had to select one year of data to compare name frequencies among celebrities and the general population. We took the average birth year of celebrities with a given name to base our calculations.
Download MooseRoot’s app on the Google Play Store for information on thousands of baby names.
#50. Kim
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity:² 79%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 5,417.90
Babies per 1 Million: 3,027.05
Average Birth Year: 1969
Notably held by Kim Kardashian, the short form of Kimberly ranked No. 66 among baby girls in 1969, but drastically decreased to No. 2,577 in 2014.
Note: ² This figure represents the increased frequency of a name among celebrities compared to the general population in the average birth year.
#49. Charlotte
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 86%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,094.92
Babies per 1 Million: 1,126.60
Average Birth Year: 1969
Charlotte, the feminine form of Charles, is shared by many luminaries, including actress Charlotte Rampling. Ranking just No. 160 in 1969, it became the 10th most popular girl’s name in 2014.
#48. Alison
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 98%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,456.12
Babies per 1 Million: 1,243.54
Average Birth Year: 1971
Shared by celebrities such as Alison Brie, the Norman French diminutive of Alice ranked No. 144 among newborn girls 1971, but dropped to No. 289 in 2014.
#47. Jan
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 129%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,950.44
Babies per 1 Million: 853.30
Average Birth Year: 1962
A nickname for Janet and Janice, the name Jan has been held by a slew of superstars, including the late Jan Hooks. In 1962, Jan ranked No. 203 for baby girls, but drastically declined to No. 15,331 in 2014.
#46. Joanna
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 164%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,878.21
Babies per 1 Million: 712.34
Average Birth Year: 1969
Held by starlets such as Joanna Newsom, the name ranked No. 244 among newborn girls in 1969, but has slightly fallen in popularity to No. 327 by 2014.
#45. Julia
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 171%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 3,539.70
Babies per 1 Million: 1,307.61
Average Birth Year: 1974
Julia, the feminine form of the old Roman family name Julius, should have a very familiar ring to it as it’s the name of A-listers like Julia Roberts. In 1974, it ranked No. 136 for baby girls, but had climbed to the 86th spot by 2014.
#44. Brooke
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 172%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,661.49
Babies per 1 Million: 610.14
Average Birth Year: 1974
Originally a local name for someone who lived near a brook or stream, Brooke Shields is one of the many famous ladies with this name. Brooke ranked No. 260 for girls in 1974, but rose to No. 137 by 2014.
#43. Claudia
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 177%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,311.64
Babies per 1 Million: 834.76
Average Birth Year: 1972
Claudia, the feminine form of Claudius, was brought into the spotlight by international superstars like Claudia Schiffer. In 1972, it ranked No. 205 among female newborns, but declined to No. 724 by 2014.
#42. Anna
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 188%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 6,501.48
Babies per 1 Million: 2,260.25
Average Birth Year: 1976
A variant of Anne and held by stars such as Anna Kendrick, Anna ranked No. 78 among female newborns in 1976 and soared even higher to the 34th spot in 2014.
#41. Caroline
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 228%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,456.12
Babies per 1 Million: 749.96
Average Birth Year: 1968
Caroline, the French form of Carolina, has been borne by actresses Caroline Catz and Caroline Goodall. It ranked No. 215 in 1968, but climbed to No. 58 in 2014.
#40. Ana
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 312%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 3,034.02
Babies per 1 Million: 737.23
Average Birth Year: 1974
Held by celebrities such as Ana de Armas, Ana ranked No. 218 for baby girls in 1974, moving down just four spots by 2014 to No. 222.
#39. Olivia
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 314%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,528.35
Babies per 1 Million: 611.32
Average Birth Year: 1982
Olivia Wilde is just one of the famous bearers of the name, which ranked No. 228 in 1982, but in 2014, became the second most popular name among female newborns.
#38. Eva
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 344%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,167.16
Babies per 1 Million: 487.88
Average Birth Year: 1975
A popular Latinate form of Eve, the name Eva is shared by a host of stars, including Eva Green and Eva Longoria. In 1975, it ranked No. 302 for girls, but scaled the ranks to No. 82 by 2014.
#37. Julian
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 410%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,302.69
Babies per 1 Million: 255.61
Average Birth Year: 1967
Stemming from the common late-Latin name Julianus, a derivative of Julius, Julian ranked No. 353 in 1967 among boys and surged to the 47th most popular name in 2014. The name’s increased notoriety could be thanks to actors Julian McMahon and Julian Glover.
#36. Phil
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 413%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,512.80
Babies per 1 Million: 295.15
Average Birth Year: 1962
Held by a host of celebrities, including late comedian and “Saturday Night Life” star Phil Hartman, the short form of Phillip ranked No. 317 in 1962, but dropped all the way to the rank of No. 6,912 among male newborns in 2014.
#35. Marco
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 419%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,428.75
Babies per 1 Million: 275.31
Average Birth Year: 1968
Held by stars like actor Marco Sanchez, the name Marco ranked No. 353 among boys in 1968, slightly rising in rank to No. 308 by 2014.
#34. Nina
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 439%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,383.88
Babies per 1 Million: 442.20
Average Birth Year: 1970
Nina, originally a shortened form of names like Antonia, ranked No. 325 in 1970, but trended up to No. 295 in 2014 — perhaps inspired by starlets like Nina Dobrev.
#33. Annie
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 439%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,661.49
Babies per 1 Million: 308.51
Average Birth Year: 1975
Annie, the pet form of Ann or Anne, is common with big names, including television actress Annie Parisse — otherwise known as St. Vincent. The name ranked No. 416 in 1975, but rose to No. 311 among baby girls born in 2014.
#32. Dan
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 440%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 4,076.14
Babies per 1 Million: 754.91
Average Birth Year: 1967
A Biblical name meaning “he judged” in Hebrew, Dan is shared by a many big names, including legendary news anchor Dan Rather. In 1967, it ranked No. 184 among baby boys, but by 2014 it declined to No. 1,564.
#31. Tom
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 486%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 6,009.16
Babies per 1 Million: 1,025.99
Average Birth Year: 1966
Kept in the spotlight by stars like Tom Hiddleston, the short form of Thomas ranked No. 153 among newborn boys in 1966, but experienced a sharp decline to No. 1,906 in 2014.
#30. Alex
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 502%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 5,168.72
Babies per 1 Million: 859.28
Average Birth Year: 1976
A nickname for Alexander, the name Alex ranked No. 172 among males born in 1976, increasing to No. 128 in 2014. Heartthrobs like Alex O’Loughlin and Alex Pettyfer bear the name.
#29. Charlie
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 511%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,143.13
Babies per 1 Million: 350.64
Average Birth Year: 1974
Charlie, a pet form of Charles, ranked just No. 322 in 1974, so stars like actor Charlie Cox may deserve credit for its rise in 2014 to No. 225.
#28. Mia
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 548%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,733.73
Babies per 1 Million: 267.54
Average Birth Year: 1977
The pet form of Maria, Mia ranked just No. 449 in 1977, but went mainstream with celebrities like Mia Farrow, surging to score the sixth most popular name in 2014 for female newborns.
#27. Jake
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 598%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,269.19
Babies per 1 Million: 325.14
Average Birth Year: 1981
A variant of Jack and a nickname for Jacob, Jake held the rank of No. 324 among baby boys in 1981, swelling to No. 190 in 2014, which may be due to the popularity of Hollywood megastars like Jake Gyllenhaal.
#26. Dave
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 612%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,227.17
Babies per 1 Million: 312.76
Average Birth Year: 1969
Short for David and held by actors like Dave Franco, the name ranked No. 326 among male newborns in 1969, but sharply declined to No. 1,883 in 2014.
#25. Gabrielle
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 624%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,517.01
Babies per 1 Million: 209.50
Average Birth Year: 1974
Made glamorous by stars like Gabrielle Union, the name ranked only No. 514 in 1974, but experienced a sharp increase in popularity to land No. 173 by 2014.
#24. Oliver
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 651%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,596.84
Babies per 1 Million: 212.77
Average Birth Year: 1976
Meaning “olive tree,” Oliver ranked No. 423 In 1976, but surged to the 32nd most popular name for boys in 2014, possibly due to the pull of stars like Oliver Hudson.
#23. Lucy
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 661%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,661.49
Babies per 1 Million: 218.45
Average Birth Year: 1976
From the Old French name Lucie, the name Lucy ranked just No. 514 in 1976, increasing to No.62 in 2014. Heavyweights like Lucy Lawless may deserve credit for the rise.
#22. Alexandra
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 684%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 3,395.22
Babies per 1 Million: 432.90
Average Birth Year: 1973
Alexandra, the feminine form of Alexander, held the rank of No. 328 in 1973 for baby girls, rising to No. 92 in 2014, likely due to the sway of stars like Alexandra Daddario.
#21. Max
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 708%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,353.24
Babies per 1 Million: 291.29
Average Birth Year: 1983
Short for Maximilian and held by big stars like actor Max Greenfield, the name ranked No. 342 among male newborns in 1983, climbing to No. 112 in 2014.
#20. Emma
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 785%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,600.59
Babies per 1 Million: 293.73
Average Birth Year: 1981
Meaning “entire” and held by young icons like Emma Watson, the name ranked just No. 412 in 1981, but surged all the way to the No. 1 spot by 2014.
#19. Stefan
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 976%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,302.69
Babies per 1 Million: 121.10
Average Birth Year: 1969
Defined as “crown and garland,” the name Stephan ranked No. 533 in 1969, but fell to No. 851 in 2014, despite the impact of celebrities like actor Stefan Kapicic.
#18. Ben
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 983%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 4,034.12
Babies per 1 Million: 372.50
Average Birth Year: 1976
A nickname for Benjamin, Benedict and Bennett, the name Ben ranked No. 303 for boys in 1976, but even with the pull of A-listers like Ben Affleck, it still dropped to No. 723 in 2014.
#17. Sam
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,019%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 3,403.79
Babies per 1 Million: 304.12
Average Birth Year: 1973
The first name of famed actor Sam Elliott, the short form of Samuel and Samson ranked No. 351 among male babies in 1973, but in 2014 it dropped to No. 533.
#16. Will
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,110%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,596.84
Babies per 1 Million: 131.98
Average Birth Year: 1973
A name meaning “desire and will” and held by super stars like Will Arnett, Will ranked No. 543 among baby boys in 1973, but plummeted to No. 763 by 2014.
#15. Graham
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,133%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,428.75
Babies per 1 Million: 115.86
Average Birth Year: 1971
Graham, meaning “gravel and homestead,” ranked No. 568 among newborn boys in 1971 and rose to No. 199 in 201, perhaps caused by the influence of stars like actor Graham Norton.
#14. Nick
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,188%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 4,370.30
Babies per 1 Million: 339.43
Average Birth Year: 1972
Though celebrities like Nick Jonas keep it in the headlines, the short form of Nicholas tumbled from the rank of No. 325 in 1972 to No. 1,182 among male babies born in 2014.
#13. Pierre
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,202%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,512.80
Babies per 1 Million: 116.15
Average Birth Year: 1963
Actor Pierre Niney and a list of other celebrities share the name, which ranked No. 519 among newborn boys in 1963, but sharply declined to No. 1,005 in 2014.
#12. Rob
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,125%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,395.26
Babies per 1 Million: 180.80
Average Birth Year: 1966
Short for Robert, the name ranked No. 422 among male babies in 1966, but drastically declined to No. 6,195 in 2014, even with the pull of megastars like Rob Lowe.
#11. Marina
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,229%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,950.44
Babies per 1 Million: 146.80
Average Birth Year: 1971
Defined as “of the sea” and held by celebrities like actress Marina Sirtis, the name ranked No. 634 for girls in 1971, but slightly declined to the rank of No. 661 in 2014.
#10. Francesca
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,327%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,517.01
Babies per 1 Million: 106.30
Average Birth Year: 1971
Francesca means “French” and is held by a slew of starlets, including actress Francesca Annis. Ranking only No. 768 among female newborns in 1971, it became much more prevalent by 2014, rising to No. 426.
#9. Matt
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,337%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 5,168.72
Babies per 1 Million: 359.69
Average Birth Year: 1972
Shared by many A-listers, including Matt Damon, the name was somewhat common for boys in 1972, ranking No. 313, but by 2014, it plunged to No. 2,206.
#8. Ed
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,415%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,470.77
Babies per 1 Million: 97.10
Average Birth Year: 1968
A nickname for a variety of boys’ names starting with “Ed”and held by actor Ed Helms, the name ranked No. 581 in 1968, but drastically descended to No. 11,018 in 2014.
#7. Josh
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,647%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 4,034.12
Babies per 1 Million: 230.86
Average Birth Year: 1977
Josh, short for Joshua, ranked No. 399 for male newborns in 1977, but significantly declined to No. 1,148 in 2014, despite the pull of stars like Josh McDermitt.
#6. Sebastian
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 1,759%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,470.77
Babies per 1 Million: 79.12
Average Birth Year: 1974
Derived from third-century Saint Sebastianus, celebrities such as Sebastian Stan may deserve credit for the name’s rapid increase from No. 729 in 1974 to the 34th most popular name for baby boys born in 2014.
#5. Simon
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 2,070%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,773.46
Babies per 1 Million: 127.81
Average Birth Year: 1967
Influential figures like Simon Pegg may be the reason the name Simon climbed from No. 501 for male babies in 1967 to No. 231 in 2014.
#4. Bruno
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 2,656%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,260.66
Babies per 1 Million: 45.74
Average Birth Year: 1965
Bruno, meaning “brown,” ranked No. 800 for boys in 1965, but failed to gain much traction, earning the 2014 rank of No. 671 despite the prevalence of stars like Bruno Ganz.
#3. Kate
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 2,661%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 4,839.99
Babies per 1 Million: 175.33
Average Birth Year: 1973
Kate, the short form of Katherine, ranked just No. 578 for girls in 1973, but surged to the No. 207 by 2014, likely due to the influence of idols like Kate Winslet.
#2. Isabelle
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 4,959%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 1,589.25
Babies per 1 Million: 31.41
Average Birth Year: 1967
In 1967, Isabelle, a form of Isabel, was an extremely rare name with a rank of No.1,417, but the sway of celebrities like Isabel Lucas might have helped it rocket to the 96th spot by 2014.
#1. Sophie
Percent More Likely to Be a Celebrity: 5,050%
Celebrities per 1 Million: 2,600.59
Babies per 1 Million: 50.50
Average Birth Year: 1977
A form of Sophia, the name Sophie was uncommon in 1977, ranking just No. 1,345 among baby girls, but stars like Sophie Turner could be part of the reason it became the 91st most popular name by 2014.
Story from Graphiq via Tribune Media.
