A study conducted in 2010 by Jean Twenge, psychology professor at San Diego State University, examined the names of 325 million American babies born between 1880 and 2007 and found that common names have decreased in popularity since 1950. Similar trends have been noticed in many other countries.. The study found various influences but none that could be considered definitive. It could represent a growing cultural shift toward individualism. New immigrants are more likely to stick with culturally familiar names than their descendants. Wealthier people tend to prefer uniqueness over conformity.
