Isabella overtakes Emma as top baby name for girls; Jacob leads for 11th year among baby boys

Isabella top name for girls; Jacob No. 1 for boys

WASHINGTON — Scoot over, Emma. Isabella is the new top baby name for girls.

The Social Security Administration said Friday that Jacob was the most popular name for boys born in 2009, the 11th straight year at the top. Emma’s reign was much shorter, lasting just a year.

Religious themes and pop culture appeared to influence many of the most popular names. Barack still didn’t crack the top 1,000 for boys, but Malia, the name of the first family’s oldest daughter, was among the fastest risers, though spellings varied.

Isabella was followed by Emma, Olivia, Sophia and Ava. Jacob was followed by Ethan, Michael, Alexander and William.