Is Political Polarisation Accelerating The Decline Of This Baby Name? (BRANDON)

HuffPo UK ^ | July 11, 2023 | Caroline Bologna

[DoodleBob]

Names gradually rise and fall in popularity over time with changing trends and norms. But certain choices drop off the map more quickly thanks to big cultural or political moments ― think Katrina, Isis and more recently, Karen.

It seems that the name Brandon might be joining their ranks. Between 2021 and 2022, the name fell 20 places, from the 181st most popular name for boys in the U.S. to No. 211, according to Social Security Administration data.

Like Karen, the name Brandon had been dropping in popularity for many years, but a recent negative cultural association seems to be accelerating the decline.

Brandon took its biggest hit in popularity in 2022, which is perhaps unsurprising given the pejorative political slogan “Let’s Go Brandon” — a coded slur for “F— Joe Biden” — originated in September 2021.

The result was a growing association of the name with both the Democratic 46th president of the U.S. and the conservative movement, perfect to turn off parents on both sides of the aisle.

“The controversial rallying cry ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ had undeniable influence over parents in their selection of names for their baby boys last year,” baby name consultant Taylor Humphrey told HuffPost.

Sitting just outside the Top 200, Brandon is still relatively popular, but it peaked between 1992 and 1994 when it was the sixth-most-popular name …

Last year, Brandon hit its lowest ranking on the Social Security Administration’s annual list since the year 1969. The number of baby boys named Brandon in 2022 was 1,763 — compared with 2,117 in 2021, 2,299 in 2020 and 2,679 in 2019.

“I think it will go the way of Karen — off the charts,” said Jennifer Moss, founder of BabyNames.com. “It’s now a negative connotation for both sides.”

[Libloather]

Brandon should do much better. Let’s go Brandon.

[j.havenfarm]

Ah, yes. But I’d still rather be named Adolph than Gaylord

[cgbg]

In a hilarious Zero Hedge thread about Jill Stein’s announcement of her Green Party candidacy the comment of the day was a proposal for a new presidential ticket:

Franken

Stein.

Lol.

[Graybeard58]

Between 2021 and 2022, the name fell 20 places, from the 181st most popular name for boys in the U.S. to No. 211, according to Social Security Administration data.

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Is that the “new math” I’ve been hearing about?

Back in the last century I was taught that 211 minus 181 equals 30 places.

[cnsmom]

I doubt there will be many Brandon the Thirds in the future.

[HandBasketHell]

Brandon took its biggest hit in popularity in 2022, which is perhaps unsurprising given the pejorative political slogan “Let’s Go Brandon” — a coded slur for “F— Joe Biden” — originated in September 2021.

They conveniently left out that the phrase originated when a Lamestream media chick claimed the crowd was chanting "Let's go Brandon!" instead of what they were really saying on live tv.

[Deplorable American1776]

A sister in law is an author and she looks at the baby names sites and she can see the fluctuation of baby names. If you look at #999 of the top baby names, it might next year be #1005 or it could go to #970, depending on the number of babies named it.

That said, my name was popular in the 50s, then it went to the 300s, now in the 150-200 range.