What’s in a name? Well, maybe the relative popularity of different names does tell us something. I invite those with too much time on their hands to go to this site and investigate the rise and fall since 1900 of names like Dick, Adolph, Beulah, Agnes and Eugene. And sometimes it’s a fall and rise, as in the cases of Evan, Alexander and um. Grace (below).

And by the way, we’re very glad to see that the Cody, Kip, Tiffany and Ashley (or Ashlee or Ashleigh — give me a break) fad has peaked, though we note a disturbing trend in the direction of names that sound traditional but aren’t, along the Conner, Sierra, Tucker lines.

Note to Orthodox parents: Stay safe. Stick with Tikhon or Irenaeus for a boy and Xenia or Dorcas for a girl. Never any mixups, and you plainly announce your disdain for this world.