SOCIAL SECURITY

News Release

Social Security’s Most Popular Baby Names for 2004 Have Arrived

Jacob and Emily Top List Again

For Mother’s Day, Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security, announced the top baby names in the United States for 2004.

“Each year, Social Security produces the most popular baby names list based on all Social Security card applications for children born the previous year. Emily and Jacob are again the top baby names for 2004,” said Commissioner Barnhart. “I invite everybody to visit our website to look at the new list and take advantage of the valuable information and services offered by Social Security.”

Please click on the Most Popular Baby Names link at Social Security’s website -- www.socialsecurity.gov -- to see the top baby names for 2004. The top ten boys and girls names for 2004 are:

Emily has been the most popular female name each year since 1996. Jacob has been the top male name since 1999. New to the top ten this year are Isabella and William.

The baby names website has a new look this year. In addition to a list of the 1,000 most popular baby names for 2004 and the most popular baby names for each state, there is now a list of the top 100 names for twins born in 2004. In addition, links to other helpful websites have been added. It is now easier to find information for babies, children and parents on the Social Security website. And there are links to other government websites that offer valuable information about pregnancy, caring for newborns and programs and services for families.

Social Security started compiling baby name lists in 1997. Today, the Social Security website offers lists of baby names for each year since 1880.

Social Security’s website -- www.socialsecurity.gov -- has a variety of online services that allow people to access information and conduct business with Social Security from the convenience of their computers at any time.

Visitors to the website can find information about the future financing challenges facing the program at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/qa.htm.

People also can apply online for Social Security retirement, spouse’s and disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire. Other online services allow people to find out if they may be eligible for benefits or locate their local Social Security office. Individuals who are receiving benefits may use the website to change their address or request a replacement Medicare card. As more and more people conduct business via the Internet, these online services save significant time and effort.

In addition, Social Security offers online benefits planners at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. Each planner--retirement, disability and survivors--contains valuable information about the benefits available and factors that can affect people. The planner’s three online calculators also allow individuals to compute estimates of their future retirement benefits and current disability and survivors benefits.

The website also offers a wealth of information about all Social Security programs through online publications and a “Frequently Asked Questions” section.

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