Michigan unique with baby girl names

DETROIT, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Residents of Michigan tend to be slightly more original in naming their baby girls than the rest of the nation, related data indicate.

While the name Emily for baby girls has been the most popular name handed out nationally for 12 years running, Michigan residents have made three different female names tops during that time span, the Detroit Free Press said Monday.

Data of Michigan births shows that in 2006-07 the name Ava took the top spot in the state in the wake of similar name victories by Emma in 2003-04 and Madison in 2001-02.

Yet both nationally and in Michigan, the top boy name remains Jacob. The first name has topped all Michigan baby boy charts since 1994 and has been the top baby boy's name nationally for nine years in a row.

"The One-in-a-Million Baby Name Book" author Jennifer Moss told the Free Press naming a child can be a monumental decision that parents shouldn't rush into.

"It's the kid's identity. If they get bad reactions to their name, they'll feel it's bad reactions to themselves," she said. "It can hurt their self esteem. But the perfect baby name is subjective."