José is now the No. 1 name for baby boys in California and Texas; trends show continued Latino population growth and comfort with their ethnicity

Beat it, John.
Make way for José, which in 1998 became the most popular name for baby boys in California and Texas.

With burgeoning Latino populations and birth rates in both states, it's not entirely surprising that José has toppled Austin, William and Jacob -- the top favorites elsewhere in the United States, according to newly released statistics from the Social Security Administration.

Still, the elevation of a Spanish name to the top rank in two of the nation's most populous states marks a significant shift in a country so predictable in what we call ourselves that the same five boys' names -- John, Robert, James, Michael and David -- have topped the national list for the past 98 years.

For much of the past two centuries, experts say, immigrants chose so-called American names as a way of assimilating into their new lives. Not so long ago, José would probably have been Joséph. Mikhail would be Michael. But no longer.

``This gives us a window on society of how much things have changed,'' said Edward Callary, professor of English at Northern Illinois University and editor of the American Name Society's journal. ``Thirty years ago, most people would not have given their child an ethnic name. A lot of folks tried to blend in and fold into American society as quickly as they could.''

Now, parents can buy books listing hundreds of ethnic baby names, from Irish to African to Hawaiian. In fact, Callary said, the popularity of José is more than a sign of a growing Latino population. It also marks an increasing level of comfort with ethnicity.

Growth projected

And fluency in Spanish names that once tripped up American tongues will certainly become more and more necessary as projections about growth in American's Latino community come to pass.

In the first few years of the new century, Latinos -- their population rising on the tide of near-record immigration levels and high birth rates -- are projected to overtake blacks as the nation's largest minority group.

Of course, not everyone is comfortable with such change.

Political commentator and sometime presidential candidate Patrick Buchanan has employed ``José'' in the past as a catchword for those he feels do not belong in the United States.

But the increasing use of the name José among children who are U.S. citizens by birth underscores how Latinos are becoming more a part of mainstream American life.

In California, according to the Social Security Administration report, José was No. 1, followed by traditional favorites Daniel, Michael, Anthony and Jacob.

For Michael Shackleford, the Social Security Administration actuary who compiled the list, José's appearance at the top was a mild surprise.

A little shocked

``When I thought about it, it made sense,'' he said. ``But it was a little bit of a shock.''

Shackleford said the favorite names for girls in California in 1998 included the names Jessica, Ashley, Emily, Jennifer and Samantha.

``The important thing about so many babies named José is that they are by definition American, and it is about time for the rest of the country to perceive them as American,'' said Cecilia Muņoz, vice president for policy at the National Council of La Raza, a Latino advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. ``Not too long ago, names like Patrick seemed awfully Irish. Now, no one thinks twice about them. I hope this country will reach a point that it is unremarkable that a large number of babies in California are named José.''

But even in the choice of José, some Latino parents say they are bowing to American sensibilities: It is widely recognized and easy to pronounce.

``Imagine the problems I would have to pass my name onto my son,'' said Gildardo Vasquez, a toy vendor at the Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles.

Chosen with care

Many immigrant parents, eager for their children to assimilate, do not want to cause undue problems for their offspring by saddling them with names -- no matter how beloved -- that are tongue-twisters for English speakers.

``People here couldn't say my name,'' said Vasquez. ``They would find it strange. They would wonder where it came from, what it means, where it is going.''

Asked his name by English speakers, Gildardo tells them: ``Gil.''

A few stalls away from Vasquez in the Grand Central Market, José Guadalupe Ramos presided over a cornucopia of fresh fruit for sale, mostly to Latin American immigrants. To the 20-year-old native of central Mexico, as to others, it is no surprise that his first name is proliferating north of the border.

Said Ramos, ``There are Josés everywhere around here.''