I keep seeing news stories about the most popular baby names of 2004. The trouble is, they're all different names! What's up with that?

Well, the baby names are from one hospital, one town, one city, or one state ... and everyone wants to be first in announcing the most popular baby names of 2004.

Baby names are a hot topic right now. I went to AbeBooks.com and entered "baby names" in the Title search box. They listed 2169 books with baby names in the title, ranging from $1.00 to $190.00 (antique)! The books have names from every nationality and country in the world and some have 50,000 names to choose from. Incredible!

Babycenter.net published the 100 most popular baby names for 2004 -- according to their internet visitors. Visitors got to vote for their favourite names for girls and boys (some probably voted several times). I've noticed there aren't any Spanish names on the list and there definitely were Spanish names in the US top 100 popular baby names of 2003 (like Jose and Juan). So this list is definitely representative of loyal Babycenter.net visitors (of which I am one! ).

OK, now for a smattering of popular US baby names of 2004 from various hospitals, towns, cities, and states ... I'll add to this list as I get the news.

St. Cloud, MN -- Emma, Andrew
Flagstaff, AZ -- Jose, Emily
Wisconsin -- Jacob, Olivia
Sioux City, IA -- Alexandra, Madison, Noah, Kaden
San Mateo, CA -- Aiden, Ethan, Caden, Madison, Emma and Abigail

Allina's Hospitals and Clinics announced their top 10 baby names. A not-for-profit organization, Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, 65 clinics and has many other services. They serve the community in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. More than 13,800 babies born at Allina hospitals and clinics. So, it's probably a good indication of what baby names are popular right now.

The 10 most popular girl names were: Grace, Emma, Olivia, Abigail, Anna, Sophia, Emily, Lauren, Elizabeth, Ella.

The 10 most popular boy names were: Jacob, William, Alexander, Nicholas, Samuel, Matthew, Joseph, Andrew, Ethan, Benjamin.

I guess we'll know soon what the real most popular names (in the US) are for 2004. But it sure is hard to wait!