Parents looking for a name for their newborn baby draw inspiration from various sources. This includes political figures, such as presidents or presidential candidates. In fact, new presidents often spawn naming trends and many past presidents’ names have been on the popularity lists of the time. At various points in history, scores of parents have chosen to name their children Abraham, Andrew, Dwight, Franklin, and Woodrow.
Today, parents are somewhat more cautious now about naming children after presidents. Nevertheless, presidential names remain more popular than ever before. (In comparison, however, instances of children named after vice presidents seem to be rarer—for instance, there are not too many Hannibels or Spiros around.)
What, one wonders, is the attraction of naming babies after presidents? Is it about political affiliation or inclination? Yes, but only to a certain extent. Actually what is attractive about a new presidential name is that it soon becomes a household name. Most Americans choose presidential names because they represent America and its essential spirit.