YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
By DAVID BROWN

The annual announcement of America's most popular baby names has quickly become a Social Security tradition, and the listing of those names is now one of the most popular features on Social Security's Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov. In 2005 the names Jacob and Emily again topped the list. In fact, this is a 10-year anniversary for Emily, which has been the most popular girl's name since 1996. But the most popular girl's name for the six preceding years (from 1989-1995) was Jessica, which has now fallen out of our Top Ten list.

Jacob has been the most popular name for a boy since 1999. For more than 30 years before Jacob reached number one, the most popular boy's name was Michael, from 1964 to 1998. And Michael remains at number two.

Here are the top 10 boys and girls names for 2005:

Boys: Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, Ethan, Andrew, Daniel, Anthony, Christopher and Joseph.

Girls: Emily, Emma, Madison, Abigail, Olivia, Isabella, Hannah, Samantha, Ava and Ashley.

The Web page can tell you more than the 1,000 most popular baby names for 2005. For example, you can find the most popular names in each state. The top names in New York State last year were Emily for a girl and Michael for a boy. The Popular Baby Names page also offers the most popular names for twins, as well as the most popular baby names all the way back to 1880. (Names can be found at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/babynames/state/top5 - 2005.html .) All of the baby names are from Social Security card applications for births that occurred in the United States after 1879. Names are restricted to cases where the year of birth, sex, and state of birth are on record. Many people born before 1937 never applied for a Social Security card, so their names are not included in our data. While visiting our Web site, you may also want to check out many of the other online services. Our award-winning site lets people access information and conduct business with Social Security from the convenience of their computers at any time.

For example, you can apply online for Social Security retirement, spouse's and disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire . Other online services allow you to find out if you may be eligible for benefits or locate your local Social Security office. If you are already receiving benefits, you can use the Web site to change your address or request a replacement Medicare card. The Web site also offers a wealth of information about all Social Security programs and a "Frequently Asked Questions" section.

So, whether you need to name a baby or apply for retirement, there really is something for every Jacob and Emily at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Mr. Brown is District Manager of the Social Security Administration's Downtown New York Office.