New Jersey doesn’t care what you think. Call us the armpit of America? We’ll laugh. Don’t know what Mischief Night is? We do. We have our own culture and our words for things (“down the shore” isn’t said elsewhere) and we don’t care what you think about it.

So if the national list of top baby names that was just put out happens to have some of our names on it? Good for you. If not? Good for us.

We’re not trying to be trendy. We’re being New Jersey. And there’s no trying. We just are.

So how many of the top 10 most popular baby boy names does New Jersey share? Only 4.

Now, first in fairness, they’re different sources. The just-released list comes from BabyCenter (which historically is pretty spot on) whereas the list of predicted most popular baby names for 2022 specifically in New Jersey comes straight from the Social Security Administration.

So the only boy names in New Jersey that match up with the national top 10 are Liam, Noah, Lucas and James.

Toy blocks spelling out "BABY NAMES"
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New Jersey’s top 10 baby boy names

  1.  Liam
  2. Noah
  3. Lucas
  4. Joseph
  5. Jacob
  6. James
  7. Benjamin
  8. Michael
  9. Matthew
  10. Jack

But look at the national names

  1. Noah
  2. Liam
  3. Oliver
  4. Elijah
  5. Mateo
  6. Lucas
  7. Levi
  8. Asher
  9. James
  10. Leo

You definitely see a difference in solid Catholic names such as Michael, Matthew and Joseph.

Not as huge of a gap on the girls' side.

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New Jersey’s top 10 baby girl names

  1. Olivia
  2. Sophia
  3. Emma
  4. Amelia
  5. Mia
  6. Charlotte
  7. Ava
  8. Isabella
  9. Luna
  10. Mila

The national names

  1. Olivia
  2. Emma
  3. Amelia
  4. Ava
  5. Sophia
  6. Isabella
  7. Luna
  8. Mia
  9. Charlotte
  10. Evelyn

9 out of 10! The rankings are different but all the national girl names are on the Jersey list too except for Evelyn. And Jersey’s Mila isn’t represented on the national top 10 list.

Does this mean Jersey boys are more stubborn than Jersey girls? Of course not. But are the parents? Still no. I wonder how much the passing on of a fathers’ names to sons affects this. Joseph the third, Matthew the fourth, etc.. Something that doesn’t come up with girls.

All we know is as Shakespeare wrote, a New Jersey baby by any other name would still not pump gas.

Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Jeff Deminski only.

You can now listen to Deminski & Doyle — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite afternoon radio show any day of the week. Download the Deminski & Doyle show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now.

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LOOK: Baby names that are illegal around the world

Stacker scoured hundreds of baby name databases and news releases to curate a list of baby names that are illegal somewhere in the world, along with explanations for why they’re banned.

An amazing NJ restaurant in a historic building

If you've never been to Lambertville, you're really missing out on a true gem of a town in New Jersey.

And if you've never been to Lambertville Station you're missing out on a really great restaurant in a truly historic building.

It's housed in the building that acted as the Lambertville train station dating back to 1867.

The building and the town went through its tough times, but for the last 40 years, Lambertville Station has been serving diners in a casual upscale atmosphere with excellent food.

Last year a prominent restaurant group called Genesis Hospitality took over the historic dining spot and they've continued the excellence that has made this place a must-go-to spot anytime you're in town.

The menu consists of varied contemporary American favorites with plenty of options.

The food and the service are excellent and are a good fit for couples, families, and special occasions.

There is a first-class Inn on the property on the river across the parking lot if you want to stay over.

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