Texas’ top baby names

The swift and steady decline of Jose

Poor Jose. After more than a decade at the top of Texas’ list of popular male baby names, its decline in the past few years has been swift and steady.

From 1996 to 2009, Jose was No. 1, meaning right now, there is likely at least one Texas teacher calling for “Jose” and attracting a crowd.

But in 2010 things changed. The ‘Twilight’ movies came out, and Texas, and the nation in general, became Team Jacob.

Jose never recovered, slipping from No. 2 to No. 4 in 2011. Noah, that biblical name from way back before the flood, is firmly planted at No. 1. Girls’ names 1. Emma Origin: Old German Meaning: Whole, universal No. 1 nationally: Emma 2. Sophia Origin: Greek Meaning: Wisdom No. 2 nationally: Olivia 3. Mia Origin: Latin Meaning: Mine No. 3 nationally: Sophia 4. Isabella Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Devoted to God No. 4 nationally: Ava 5. Olivia Origin: English Meaning: Olive tree No. 5 nationally: Isabella 6. Sofia Origin: Greek Meaning: Wisdom No. 6 nationally: Mia 7: Ava Origin: Latin Meaning: Like a bird No. 7 nationally: Abigail 8: Abigail Origin: Hebrew Meaning: A father’s joy No. 8 nationally: Emily 9: Emily Origin: Latin Meaning: Rival No. 9 nationally: Charlotte 10: Victoria Origin: Latin Meaning: Victory No. 10 nationally: Harper Boys’ names 1. Noah Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Peaceful No. 1 nationally: Noah 2. Liam Origin: Irish Meaning: Strong-willed warrior No. 2 nationally: Liam 3. Jacob Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Holder of the heel No. 3 in the U.S: Mason 4. Ethan Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Firm, steadfast No. 4 nationally: Jacob 5. Daniel Origin: Hebrew Meaning: God is my judge No. 5 nationally: William 6. Matthew Origin: Hebrew Meaning: Gift of God No. 6 nationally: Ethan 7: Sebastian Origin: Latin Meaning: Person from ancient city of Sebasta No. 7 in the U.S: James 8: Alexander Origin: Greek Meaning: Defending men No. 8 in the U.S: Alexander 9. Tie: Jayden Origin: American (Jaden) and Hebrew (Jadon) Meaning: Thankful, God will judge Jose Origin: Spanish and Portugese Meaning: God shall add (another son) No. 9 in the U.S: Michael 10. Aiden Origin: Gaelic Meaning: Little fire No. 10 in the U.S: Benjamin