Barack Baby Boom

From the New York Times:

Decontee Williams was so excited by Barack Obama’s victory on Tuesday night that she started jumping up and down — and went into labor. Twelve hours later, Barack Jeilah was born at Phoenix Baptist Hospital to Ms. Williams and Prince Jeilah. The baby was 8 pounds 9 ounces and had a full head of hair.

“I love Barack Obama, and I love the name,” said Ms. Williams, 31, who came to the United States as a refugee from Liberia in 2003. “In Africa, we call it a blessing. That is a good name.”

In the last week, Barack, Obama, Michelle, Malia and Sasha have become inspirations for first and middle names across the United States, according to news reports. But the Obama baby boom has been even more pronounced in Kenya, particularly in Kisumu, an area in the western part of the country where relatives of Mr. Obama live.

From Election Day through Saturday afternoon, 43 children born at the Nyanza Provincial Hospital in Kisumu were named after the Obamas, with 23 boys given the first and middle name Barack Obama and 20 girls named Michelle Obama.

Pamela Odhiambo, who gave birth to a girl during Mr. Obama’s victory speech in Chicago, named her Michelle Obama. “It’s a new start, a new beginning,” said Ms. Odhiambo, 18.

The "Barack" naming boom is not a first in U.S. presidential history. It joins other instances of babies being named in honor of presidents.

There have been other presidential naming trends in the past century, according to Social Security Administration data. Franklin jumped to No. 33 in 1933, up from No. 147 in 1931. Dwight surged in the 1950s and Lyndon in the 1960s. Theodore hit its peak in the first decade of the 20th century.

“Honoring new presidents with baby namesakes used to be an American tradition,” said Laura Wattenberg, author of “The Baby Name Wizard.” But she pointed out that the custom faded around the time of Watergate, in part because people became more cynical about the presidency.

Ms. Wattenberg said Barack and Obama might break that trend for a number of reasons. Blacks, particularly moved by Mr. Obama’s victory, tend to be more open to new names and to naming children after public figures. Also, Mr. Obama drew strong support from people of child-bearing age, and his name sounds fresh.

I think it's interesting that, according to the article, blacks are more open to naming children after public figures. I wonder how many babies in the black community are named after Martin Luther King, Jr.

On a related note--

From James Janega, Chicago Tribune reporter:

Did you 'do it' on Election Night
After Barack's romp, some say they had one too

The term "Obama Baby" has joined the English language amid speculation that Tuesday's crowds of emotionally charged voters probably went home and just cold got it on.

The Urban Dictionary Web site now offers the definition:

"1. Obama Baby: A child conceived after [Barack] Obama was proclaimed President by way of celebratory sex."

A series of social networking inquiries by the Tribune (Q: Did you?) yielded anecdotal support. Subjects were granted anonymity for obvious reasons.

Yes, said a Chicago media research director. Hope and beer fueled her decision. Yes, said a married woman in Georgia. Almost, said a woman in Indianapolis (late returns left her too tired). A man in Milwaukee said he and his wife made love on the floor—her idea. "Yes We Can!" the man added.

"Being in a thrilling situation, whether it's one of fear or one of joy—either way—tends to draw people together," explained Beverly Palmer, a California State University psychology professor. "You sort of reach for each other in those kinds of situations."

Political operatives have long waxed about we-may-never-meet-again sex in campaigns fueled by high emotions, late nights and close working conditions.

But leave it to Obama to spread the wealth to the voters.

"A series of social networking inquiries by the Tribune (Q: Did you?) yielded anecdotal support."

Good grief.

Is the Tribune in the habit of making such inquiries? Weird.

Anyway, there's a definite bias here. The focus is on celebratory sex, but as psychology professor Beverly Palmer says, fear also draws people together.

If the Tribune is going to make such lame inquiries about election night activity, it should at least cover that other side of the story.