‘Melania’ Soars in Popularity as Baby Girl Name

First Lady Melania Trump reads a children's book at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 2, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

First Lady Melania Trump grows in popularity in more ways than one as her first name, scarce until recently, dramatically surged in popularity last year.

In 2016, Melania was the 1650th most popular baby girl name in America, according to the Social Security Administration.

A year later, the name jumped 720 ranks higher.

Meanwhile, the first lady’s popularity has grown as well, garnering favorable opinions from 57 percent of U.S. residents, according to a May 2-5 CNN poll.

That’s a significant improvement from the previous, Jan. 14-18, poll, when 47 percent had a favorable opinion of her.

The first lady unveiled her official platform from the White House’s Rose Garden on Monday, May 7, focusing on the welfare of children.

U.S. first lady Melania Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 7, 2018. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

It was the first time she has officially laid out her formal policy goals as the first lady. Previously she had worked on combating a range of issues such as cyberbullying, neonatal opioid effects, social inclusion, and internet safety.

Her campaign, dubbed “Be Best” will center on children’s wellbeing, social media use, and opioid abuse.

“Together, I believe we should strive to provide kids with the tools they need to cultivate their social and emotional health,” she said at the event. “Most importantly, I will continue to travel and speak to children directly to speak about issues they face.”

President Donald Trump, also at the event, helped sign a proclamation declaring the day “Be Best” day, in honor of the first lady’s new platform.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump about to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Jan. 1, 2018 en route to Joint Base Andrews to depart to Cincinnati, Ohio. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Earlier at the event, the president made remarks acknowledging the first lady’s role during the past year. Melania Trump has visited schools, hospitals, and families who were dealing with the effects of the opioid epidemic.

“Melania, your care and compassion for our nation’s children, and I have to say this, and I say to you all the time, inspires us all,” the President said. “Everywhere she has gone, Americans have been touched by her sincerity, moved by her grace, and lifted by her love.”

Melania Trump has always shown interest in helping children. Just last month, she turned the Blue Room at the White House into a classroom and invited middle-school students to discuss the thoughts and issues that they face.

First Lady Melania Trump sits with children as they write messages to military troops at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House on April 2, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

The first lady herself has a 12-year-old son, Barron Trump.

Last year in September, Melania Trump addressed the United Nations and called for world leaders to “step up” and help children in need. In the speech, she discussed countries suffering from poverty, trafficking, disease, illiteracy, and drug issues, adding that children were “hit first and hardest.”

“No child should ever feel hungry, stalked, frightened, terrorized, bullied, isolated, or afraid, with nowhere to turn,” the first lady said last year. “We need to step up, come together, and ensure that our children’s future is bright.”

The most popular baby girl name is still Emma, claiming the top rank since 2014 and consistently reaching top three since 2003.

The Epoch Times’ Bowen Xiao contributed to this report.

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