'Cullen' Is In the Top 500 Baby Names for 2009

Twihards, what hath thou wrought? According to data released yesterday by the Social Security Administration, “Cullen” — as in the popular Twilight character Edward Cullen (played in the related films by Robert Pattinson) — ranked as the 485th most popular name for baby boys born in the U.S. in 2009, up a whopping 297 spots from 2008. Call me old-fashioned, but if you’re going to engage in a passionate display of fandom for any franchise, why not get yourself a Cullen tattoo? I mean, at least if you wind up regretting that decision in 20 years, you’ll just have to pay for a little laser treatment, not a decade’s worth of therapist bills FOR YOUR INNOCENT CHILD who might end up being totally Team Jacob anyway. (Jacob, for the record, ranks at No. 1 for the eleventh straight year.) Or, here’s a wacky thought, if you’re really into the glittery vampire, name your child Edward (which, incidentally, ranks at No. 137, up 11 places from ’08).

Okay, I’ll get off my Judgy McJudgerson soapbox now. You can view the 1,000 most popular names for boys and girls here. Once you’re done perusing it, be sure to post any additional observations about pop-cultural trends in the comments.

p.s. “Oprah” doesn’t even crack the top 1,000? Sounds like somebody needs to create a Harpo subdivision to remedy that situation, no?

popwatch.ew.com