Marty sent me a link to this baby name page that allows you to see the popularity of names in the US since the 1880s. While the content is interesting enough, I am totally impressed with the interface.
There are some clunky parts (like how do you know if your cursor is currently in the name typing space or not?) but otherwise this is a very good way to visualize this data. It incorporates a quasi-zooming interface that updates as you type. You can use the mouse to find further data on specific parts of the graph. Sadly they resort to the age-old blue=boy girl=pink colour scheme, but that’s forgivable considering the audience.
Overall I’d say this is a great use of technology! Hats off to the designer and coder.
You’ll note that the name ‘Kirk’ has fallen out of favour … I mean why even bother trying to get your kid to live up to that high of a standard? It’s just setting the kid up for a lifetime of disappointment .. unless it’s a girl… nobody’s named their girl ‘Kirk’ yet. Do we dare?
I tried this site and it is really great. Wondered why I never knew another person with my name until I moved to Toronto and even then there were only a few!!!