WASHINGTON: Aiden and Sophia are holding on as the most popular baby names of 2012 in the United States, a specialist website for mothers-to-be said Thursday. Aiden was the most-chosen name for newborn boys for the eighth consecutive year, and Sophia the top pick for girls for the third year running, according to BabyCenter.com. Jackson, Ethan, Liam and Mason also made the summit of the boys’ list, while Emma, Olivia, Isabella and Ava rounded out the top five names for girls.
BabyCenter.com, which is based in San Francisco, said it compiled its list from the names of nearly half a million babies whose names were disclosed to the website by parents in the past year. “What’s becoming more important to new parents is finding a name with meaning,” said its global editor in chief Linda Murray in a statement, noting that Sophia means “wisdom” and Aiden “fiery.” “Meaning can come from the name itself or because the name is associated with a loved one or other inspiring person,” she added.
“This is a significant new trend in baby naming.” The Social Security Administration’s own list ranked Jacob, Mason, William, Jayden and Noah as the most popular boys’ names in 2011 (with Aiden at number nine), and Sophia, Isabella, Emma, Olivia and Ava as the top names for girls. Fifty years ago, in 1962, the most popular names were Michael, David, John, James and Robert for boys, and Lisa, Mary, Susan, Karen and Linda for girls, according to the federal government agency.
Aiden, Sophia most popular US baby names
Aiden, Sophia most popular US baby names
Elysee Palace silver steward arrested for stealing thousands of euros’ worth of silverware
- The Sevres Manufactory — which supplied most of the furnishings — identified several of the missing items on online auction websites
- Investigators later found around 100 objects in the silver steward’s personal locker, his vehicle and their home
PARIS: Three men will stand trial next year after a silver steward employed at the official residence of the French president was arrested this week for the theft of items of silverware and table service worth thousands of euros, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.
The Elysee Palace’s head steward reported the disappearance, with the estimated loss ranging between 15,000 and 40,000 euros (($17,500-$47,000).
The Sevres Manufactory — which supplied most of the furnishings — identified several of the missing items on online auction websites. Questioning of Elysee staff led investigators to suspect one of the silver stewards, whose inventory records gave the impression he was planning future thefts.
Investigators established that the man was in a relationship with the manager of a company specializing in the online sale of objects, notably tableware. Investigators discovered on his Vinted account a plate stamped “French Air Force” and “Sevres Manufactory” ashtrays that are not available to the general public.
Around 100 objects were found in the silver steward’s personal locker, his vehicle and their home. Among the items recovered were copper saucepans, Sevres porcelain, a René Lalique statuette and Baccarat champagne coupes.
The two were arrested Tuesday. Investigators also identified a single receiver of the stolen goods. The recovered items were returned to the Elysee Palace.
The three suspects appeared in court Thursday on charges of jointly stealing movable property listed as part of the national heritage — an offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a 150,000-euro fine, as well as aggravated handling of stolen goods.
The trial was postponed to Feb. 26. The defendants were placed under judicial supervision, banned from contacting one another, prohibited from appearing at auction venues and barred from their professional activities.
