Local baby names continued a retro trajectory in 2022

By Kris Leonhardt

STEVENS POINT/MARSHFIELD – Central Wisconsin health systems are reporting a continued trajectory to revive old-fashioned names through 2022.

Parenting magazines and websites report the trend as a nationwide following of the “100-Year Rule,” which is based on the assumption that it takes “a full century for a name to shake off its dusty image and sound fresh again.”

Other articles support the belief that new parents enjoy the tie back to their grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ eras, often using their ancestors’ names to seal the bond.

Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) reported 472 male births and 445 female births, as of Dec. 29, for a total of 917 babies born at the Marshfield hospital. The numbers include 25 sets of twins and two sets of triplets. 

Liam was the most popular boy name reported by MCHS in 2022, with Henry and Grayson/Greyson following close behind.

Madeline/Madelyn was the most popular girl name, with Lily and Adelynn trailing behind.

Marshfield Medical Center-Weston reported 403 babies born through Dec. 31 – 210 boys and 193 girls. The most popular girls names were Willow, Charlotte and Ella. The most popular boys names were Henry, Jack, and Oliver.

Aspirus Health System welcomed 2,999 babies by Dec. 22, with a total of 1,556 different names given.

Henry led the pack at Aspirus for boys’ names, while Oliver and Owen came in second and third.

For girls’ names, Ella came out on top, while Eleanor and Olivia followed close behind.

The trend is further noted in the state of Wisconsin, with Names.org’s projection of the most popular baby names of 2022, based on Social Security Administration reports over the last five years.

The report lists Oliver, Liam, Henry, William, and Owen as the top five boys’ names; while Olivia, Emma, Charlotte, Evelyn, and Ava came out on top for the girls.

What’s old is new again.

Editor’s Note: Numbers for the MCHS Stevens Point facility were not available at the time of publication.