Why Aren’t People Having Babies in the U.S.?
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. birth rate fell 4% last year — the largest single-year decrease in nearly 50 years. That's according to a government report being released Wednesday. The rate dropped for moms of every major race and ethnicity, and in nearly every age group. It fell to the lowest point since federal health officials started tracking it more than a century ago. Experts say the pandemic no doubt contributed to last year’s big decline. Anxiety about COVID-19 and its impact on the economy likely caused many couples to delay children. But many of the 2020 pregnancies began well before the U.S. epidemic.
KEEP READING: Here are the most popular baby names in every state
Using March 2019 data from the Social Security Administration, Stacker compiled a list of the most popular names in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., according to their 2018 SSA rankings. The top five boy names and top five girl names are listed for each state, as well as the number of babies born in 2018 with that name. Historically common names like Michael only made the top five in three states, while the less common name Harper ranks in the top five for 22 states.
Curious what names are trending in your home state? Keep reading to see if your name made the top five -- or to find inspiration for naming your baby.