What Are the Most Popular Birthdays in America?
Most of us probably assume that birthdays are spread evenly throughout the year, but there are some interesting trends in birth statistics across the United States.
From the comfort of December nights, resulting in a September baby boom, to the surprising scarcity of birthdays during the holidays, these trends describe an interesting story of people’s behaviors, culture, and even healthcare practices. Let’s find out what dates people like to bring new little ones into the world by delving into the fascinating world of birthday statistics.
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Most Common Birthdays
Interestingly, 9 out of 10 most common birthdays in the US occur in this autumn month. The most popular birth dates are September 9, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 – talk about September babies taking over!
Surprisingly, only one date other than September is in the top 10 – July 7. But have you ever thought about why these dates are so popular? It is rather interesting to think about when you stop to consider it. These September birthdays correspond to conceptions during the December holiday season.
Just imagine – it’s cold outside, people are on vacation, and there is a lot of happiness in the air. Also, since there are so many cold nights in December, it is not surprising to see such a birth rate the following September!
That is why if you meet someone with a September birthday, you can tell them they are part of an exclusive club – the most common birthday month club! If you are a September baby yourself, you know why many other people may be celebrating their special day with you.
Most Common Birth Month
You may be surprised to find out that while September has the most common individual birthdays, August is actually America’s most common birth month! More babies are born in August than any other month, with July and December closely behind.
You might be sitting there with a puzzled look, trying to figure out how this works. Didn’t we just learn about all those September birthdays? Well, it’s all about the bigger picture. Though September may have those super-popular individual dates, August has consistently high birth rates across all of its days.
Want to know the secret behind August’s baby boom? Count back nine months, and you will be in the heart of late November and early December. Think about it – it’s cold, Thanksgiving is over, and people are starting to get into the holiday spirit.
So, you are in good company if you are an August baby. You may not have as many people share your exact birth date as those September-born folks, but you are part of the biggest birthday month crew in the U.S.!
Least Common Birthdays
Have you ever noticed that very few people celebrate birthdays on major holidays? America’s least common birthday is Christmas Day (December 25), followed very closely by New Year’s Day. It seems like the holiday season is a rather barren time for birthdays, with Christmas Eve and December 26 also classified as ‘rare birthdays.’
But it’s not just winter holidays that feature fewer births. July 4th celebrations must keep the delivery rooms quiet, as Independence Day is among the least common birthdays list. And if you are born on Halloween or around Thanksgiving (especially November 23 and 27), you are part of a pretty exclusive club!
Why do we see this pattern? It’s pretty simple – would you like to celebrate your birthday on Christmas or New Year’s? Many parents-to-be and doctors do not like to schedule planned deliveries on these special dates. After all, having your birthday overshadowed by a major holiday is not ideal!
Furthermore, hospitals are usually short-staffed during holidays, so they try to schedule fewer induced labors or C-sections on these days.
Therefore, if you are one of those rare holiday babies, you are pretty special! Others may have to share their birthday with many people, but you have a unique birth date. You might have to compete with Christmas presents or Fourth of July fireworks, which makes your birthday story even more exciting!
Least Common Birth Month
If you think being born in September makes you special, wait until you meet someone with a February birthday! February is always the least common birth month because, with only 28 days (or 29 days during a leap year), there are fewer days for babies to be born. However, there is more to this story than just having fewer days than the other 11 months of the year.
Let’s move nine months back from February, and we will be in the middle of May and June. While spring may bring flowers and sunshine, it is not as conducive to baby-making as those cozy winter nights! When everyone is outside enjoying the summer weather and longer days, they do not spend as much time on activities, resulting in winter babies.
Other Reasons Behind Birth Date Patterns
Here’s something interesting – cultural beliefs and superstitions can also impact birth timing! Some parents request (or avoid) specific dates based on their beliefs. Some cultures have certain numbers that are considered lucky or unlucky, which could influence their choice of delivery dates.
A closer look at birthday data reveals that fewer births happen on the 13th of each month than on any other day– especially when the 13th is a Friday. And as for that date in the top ten– 7/7– it is likely the result of parents trying to give their kids a lucky break from the get-go. Ditto for one-day spikes in birth rate that occur on special days such as Valentine’s Day.
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