One research group combed through character rosters of a dozen daytime soaps to formulate a list of almost 500 names, some in heavy use. Among the ladies, Tess, Samantha, April, Olivia and Julia were encountered most frequently, along with Evan, Frankie, Jake, Lucas and Ryan among the gents. Another group, meanwhile, maintains a list of Shakespearean characters to help the name-challenged. Name researcher Michael Shackleford, who has assembled the top 40 baby names for every decade since the 1930s, concluded that the pool of names for girls is a constantly changing sea. Elizabeth and Maria.
Creative possibilities abound.
Iguana, Heaven, Wolf, Tek, Pepsi, Velveda and Libra are all in the record books. And don't forget Mary, which has managed to hang on to spot 72 on the top 100 list.