'Twilight' names top 2009 popular baby names list

The Social Security Administration released the list of 2009's most popular baby names on Friday. Isabella and Jacob were listed at the top, with Cullen (as a first name for boys) one of the greatest risers.

Isabella and Jacob, the names of two of the main characters of the popular "Twilight" books by Stephanie Meyers and the subsequent movies, have been steadily popular long before "Twilight": Isabella has been on the rise for a number of years and Jacob has been at the top for boys for 11 years.

However, the rise in popularity of the name Cullen, which is the surname of the vampire clan in "Twilight," is seen as more directly influenced by the popular series.

Rounding out the girls top ten are Emma, Olivia, Sophia, Ava, Emily, Madison, Abigail, Chloe and Mia.

The rest of the boys top ten are Ethan, Michael, Alexander, William, Joshua, Daniel, Jayden, Noah and Anthony.

For a link to the SSA site and to the Associated Press story, follow the links attached to this story.

This story was originally published May 10, 2010 at 8:20 AM with the headline "'Twilight' names top 2009 popular baby names list."