Topic: Baby Names

The hosts announce that a listener has named their baby "Mimi" after the show's terminology, though they joke about the lack of recognition for the hosts' own names. They reflect on the show's 18-year history and the upcoming Labor Day holiday. The segment transitions into the show's administrative and donation-focused portion.

The Social Security Administration released the top baby names for the year, with Liam and Olivia taking the number one spots. The hosts note a "Britification" of American names, with choices like Oliver, Charlotte, and Emma gaining significant popularity among millennials.

An analysis of the name "Karen" shows its peak popularity occurred in 1965, placing most Karens in the "Boomer" or middle-aged demographic. The name has significantly declined in use since the 1970s. In contrast, the name "Theodore" is currently seeing a massive resurgence among millennial parents. The discussion explores how certain names become cultural touchstones or memes over time.

Baby name trends for 2019 show a shift toward "global" and gender-neutral monikers like Acacius, Breyer, and Journey. Additionally, Eastern religious influences are rising, with names such as Bodhi, Kali, and Zen becoming more mainstream due to the popularity of yoga and meditation.

The hosts discuss the sudden popularity of the name "Mason" for baby boys. While some attribute it to the Kardashians, Dvorak suggests it may be a cyclical return to popularity linked to 1960s musician Mason Williams of the Smothers Brothers show.

The Social Security Administration's list of popular baby names for 2017 shows Emma and Noah holding the top spots, influenced heavily by celebrities like Emma Watson and Noah Wyle. A debate ensues over the name "Theodore" (Theo) for a host's new grandchild, alongside confusion over the rising popularity of the name "Mason," which is jokingly attributed to the resurgence of Mason jars.

The hosts briefly discuss the media obsession with the name of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian's baby (North/Cadence). They frame celebrity gossip as the "top distraction of the week" used to divert public attention from more substantive political and surveillance issues.

The naming conventions of Sarah Palin's children, including Trig, Willow, and Bristol, are scrutinized. The name Trig is speculated to be a reference to trigonometry or a "trigger," while other names in the family are compared to hippie or biblical naming traditions.